Warning: Bill numbers and names are based on text-to-speech transcript which may have errors due to transcription issues or ad hoc/incomplete language use by committee.
(New Title) relative to the processing of beef cows, swine, sheep, and goats at facilities not certified by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, explained that the bill allows the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) to sell surplus parcels of land, such as those from the Northern Pass project and highway off-ramps, which can be large over 100 acres. The goal is to generate revenue for road and bridge maintenance while enabling development like housing. He emphasized the bill's clean and simple nature.
HB1726
Information Only00:03:35.841 - 9:32:21 AM
Taylor stated that Housing Action New Hampshire is officially neutral on the bill but supported the original House versions of HB 1726 and 1713, which directed land toward housing development. He noted discussions in the Governor's Commission on Government Efficiency and at a housing conference about using state-owned land for housing via sales or leases. He suggested directing proceeds to an infrastructure fund for water and sewer to support housing, incentivizing residential use to reduce land costs, and conducting a full inventory of developable state land before proceeding. During Q&A with Senator Reeder, he confirmed that surplus land exists beyond NHDOT's book, involving multiple departments, and recommended centralizing sales through an entity like the Department of Administrative Services.
HB1285
Support00:11:39.427 - 9:40:25 AM
Representative Munns introduced HB 1285, which establishes a study commission to determine if New Hampshire should implement an R-PACER program, a financing mechanism for homeowners to fund energy efficiency, renewable energy, and resiliency upgrades like flood protection, repaid via property tax assessments over up to 30 years. He highlighted increasing flooding risks statewide, referencing past legislation like HB 1320 for flood disclosures, and noted that 40 states have C-PACER laws, with R-PACER active in three. The bill studies costs, benefits, implementation, and administration, amended from a task force to a commission with a 2026 deadline. He urged passage to aid flood-prone residents through public-private partnerships.
HB1073
Information Only00:21:42.517 - 9:50:28 AM
Senator Murphy introduced HB 1073 on behalf of Representative Ammon, explaining that it extends the deadline for the Secretary of State to establish the New Hampshire DAO registry under RSA 301-B from 2024 to January 1, 2027. There is no new policy or cost to the state; the extension was requested by the Secretary of State, and the House passed it unanimously on the consent calendar. He referenced a supporting letter from Representative Ammon.
HB1073
Support00:23:06.148 - 9:51:52 AM
Sene strongly supported HB 1073, emphasizing its importance for completing the DAO registry established by the 2024 DAO Act, positioning New Hampshire as a leader in decentralized autonomous organizations. He highlighted UNH-IOL's work on interoperable infrastructure and blockchain, including an upcoming idea-a-thon. The registry supports economic competitiveness by attracting Web3 organizations, creates workforce opportunities for students, and ensures institutional credibility. An RFP for a blockchain-based registry has been issued, and he noted collaboration potential with UNH, the Blockchain Council, and the Secretary of State's office.
HB1073
Support00:25:08.708 - 9:53:54 AM
Tom Connolly spoke in favor of House Bill 1073, which was introduced at the request of the Secretary of State's office. They issued an RFP to build the registry for DAOs but received two responses that did not meet their needs. The University of New Hampshire InterOperability Lab is assisting by bringing stakeholders together to develop a blueprint for a revised RFP to advance the project.
HB1127
Support00:31:50.212 - 10:00:36 AM
Representative Lynn introduced House Bill 1127 in strong support, describing it as bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by Representative Birch. The bill updates New Hampshire's law on avoidable transactions to align with the Uniform Voidable Transactions Act, prompted by retired professor Chuck Mooney, New Hampshire's representative on the Commission on Uniform State Laws. Adjustments were made during House proceedings to address concerns from the trust industry, ensuring no significant downsides. He noted New Hampshire's goal to become a center for trust law and that changes were made without sacrificing other interests.
HB1127
Support00:34:23.092 - 10:03:09 AM
Charles Mooney supported House Bill 1127, which updates the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act to the Uniform Voidable Transactions Act through a multi-year process with input from experts. The act allows creditors to avoid transfers made with intent to defraud or without reasonably equivalent value when the debtor is insolvent. The bill adds provisions for preponderance of evidence standard and governing law based on debtor's location. Amendments addressed New Hampshire Trust Council concerns regarding spendthrift trusts and debtor asset protection trusts, applying New Hampshire law and clear and convincing evidence standard for qualified NH trusts to support state public policy while providing benefits of the uniform law.
HB1072
Support00:40:43.522 - 10:09:29 AM
Representative Brian Labrie introduced House Bill 1072 to update RSA 273:9, a century-old statute from 1911 allowing unannounced Department of Labor inspections. The bill requires 30-day written notice for routine inspections, including purpose and alleged violations, to minimize workday disruptions while allowing businesses time to compile documents. Exceptions waive notice for imminent public safety threats, repeat offenders within 36 months, risks to health/safety, or potential evidence destruction. Whistleblower protections remain unchanged.
HB1072
Information Only00:43:14.897 - 10:12:00 AM
John Garrigan provides information on the bill, noting that the Department takes no position but collaborated with the sponsor and committee, incorporating many technical suggestions. He explains that the Department typically provides notice for inspections except in emergent cases like wage nonpayment. He suggests amendments: include wage payment failures in safety and health exceptions on line 21, and replace 'substantial evidence' with 'probable cause' for consistency with legal standards. He emphasizes understanding the policy for consistency and minimizing disruptions.
HB1072
Support00:49:58.485 - 10:18:44 AM
Mitch Grace supports the bill as passed by the House, agreeing with the Department's suggestions on probable cause but needing to consider the wage issue further. He highlights that statutory notice standardizes practices regardless of leadership, benefits businesses by allowing planning for key personnel and documents, and includes exemptions like waivers for quicker inspections when needed.
HB1072
Support00:52:06.567 - 10:20:52 AM
John Reynolds supports HB 1072, citing frustrations from small business members (over 1,700, 90% under 20 employees) with unannounced inspections. He shares examples: a flower shop owner disrupted during busy Thanksgiving week, and an auto dealer interrupted while filming a commercial, both resolvable with advance notice. He notes similar 30-day processes exist for insurance examinations and supports the probable cause change, while believing wage exceptions are already covered.
HB1072
Support00:54:53.967 - 10:23:39 AM
Allison Milioto supports HB 1072, echoing others on the time and resources needed for inspections in small businesses. She notes variability in notice practices with changing leadership and argues against adding wage claims to exceptions, as current processes handle them informally without full investigations. She emphasizes that most employers lack dedicated HR, rely on electronic records, and find agency interactions stressful; consistent policy would simplify and standardize under varying leadership.
HB1072
Support00:57:48.131 - 10:26:34 AM
Henry Veilleux supports HB 1072, stating that codifying notice requirements would benefit the organized chaos of daily restaurant operations by providing predictability in state policy and law.
HB1043
Support00:59:06.907 - 10:27:52 AM
Representative LaBrie introduces HB 1043 to update reporting pay requirements under RSA 275:43-A, which currently mandates two hours pay for employees reporting to work, but exempts public employers and others. He notes inconsistencies and that it applies rigidly to modern remote and gig workers not envisioned 40 years ago. The bill allows written company policies for flexibility, with the two-hour rule as default if none exists, aligning New Hampshire with 42 other states for a 21st-century workforce.
HB1043
Oppose01:01:17.506 - 10:30:03 AM
Michael Cahill opposes the bill as written, arguing it goes too far by eliminating the two-hour reporting pay rule broadly and leaving it to employer discretion. He references a previous bill SB 171 and his own amendment from last year to address remote workers specifically, where brief check-ins could trigger two-hour pay unintentionally. He provides data showing 17% remote work in Amherst and statewide trends from the Department of Employment Security. He emphasizes protecting workers, noting varying employer practices and costs like daycare, and suggests modifying the law only for remote workers while upholding the existing protections that have worked for 40 years.
HB1043
Information Only01:04:31.686 - 10:33:17 AM
John Gerrigan from the Department of Labor provides neutral information on the current reporting pay law, which entitles employees to at least two hours' pay when reporting to work at the employer's request, regardless of location including remote work. He explains it does not apply if employees initiate work without request. Difficult cases involve unclear expectations, resolved through an expectation-based analysis. He supports the bill as written to encourage clear written policies, reducing confusion for employers and employees, and notes the law does not apply to salaried employees. He addresses questions on exemptions, potential disputes, ski instructor carve-outs, server scenarios, and recourse for employee costs like travel and childcare.
HB1043
Support01:12:30.235 - 10:41:16 AM
Henry Veilleux supports the bill, stating it enables non-traditional work arrangements, especially remote work, by allowing written policies for flexibility. He notes the default remains two hours' pay unless a policy specifies otherwise, and while not used broadly in restaurants due to staffing challenges, it helps accommodate varied employee needs.
HB1043
Support01:14:07.194 - 10:42:53 AM
Allison Miliota supports the bill, highlighting the evolution from 1985's office-based work to today's remote and flexible environments, with her fully remote company of 22 staff. She criticizes inconsistent Department of Labor interpretations across administrations, citing examples from Michelle Small and Lexi Rojas on remote worker applicability. She compares it to vacation payout policies where written policies provide clarity. She explains verbal communications in her company set no weekend expectations, but written policies would reduce disputes and audits. She addresses ski instructor carve-outs as clear short-shift expectations and notes such violations are often found in audits rather than direct claims, arguing the bill allows employer-specific rules in a competitive labor market.
HB1196
Vote01:21:00.000 - 10:49:46 AM
Senator Murphy moves Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) on HB 1196. The motion is seconded and passes unanimously with no discussion.
HB1127
Vote01:21:30.000 - 10:50:16 AM
Senator Murphy moves Ought to Pass on HB 1127. The motion is seconded, passes unanimously with no discussion, and consent is granted.
HB1726 2026-1445s
Vote01:22:26.174 - 10:51:12 AM
Senator Murphy moves Ought to Pass on HB 1726. An amendment 2026-1445s is proposed by Senator Murphy to add a commission including one senator, two representatives, commissioners from DES, DOT, EAS, and a public member appointed by the Senate President to study transitioning to local tax rolls, funding infrastructure like water and wastewater, and prioritizing housing development. The amendment is seconded, discussed briefly with agreement on difficulties buying surplus land from DOT, and passes unanimously. The main bill as amended then passes unanimously with consent.
HB1073
Vote01:24:22.414 - 10:53:08 AM
Motion to Ought to Pass on HB 1073, described as pushing off the deadline for the Secretary of State's office to complete the Decentralized Autonomous Organization Registry, a simple bill. The motion passes unanimously with no discussion, followed by consent.
HB1197
Vote01:25:44.414 - 10:54:30 AM
Senator Murphy moves Ought to Pass on HB 1197, technical corrections to insurance laws requested by the department, with lengthy department testimony noted. The motion is seconded, passes unanimously with no discussion, and consent is granted.
HB1072
Vote01:25:44.414 - 10:54:30 AM
Motion to Ought to Pass on HB 1072, heard that day. The transcript cuts off during discussion initiation.
HB1072
Vote01:27:12.902 - 10:55:58 AM
Senator Fenton moved for consent to recommend HB 1072 ought to pass.
HB1072
Vote01:27:12.902 - 10:55:58 AM
Senator Murphy seconded the motion for consent. The committee unanimously approved the recommendation for HB 1072 to pass.
HB396
Information Only01:28:11.182 - 10:56:57 AM
The chair discussed preparing an amendment for HB 396 next week to advance the meat processing bill for House concurrence and to the Governor. A copy is in the file. Decided to hold off on any action today. Motion to come out of executive session was made, seconded, and passed unanimously. Motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and passed unanimously. The chair thanked Senator Murphy for serving as Vice Chair.