Committee Summary for Senate Executive Departments and Administration (01/15/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB32 00:05:42.400 - 8:04:48 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the fish and game commission.	Pearl, Howard (R)[C+]2024
SB31 2024-1453h 00:17:56.080 - 8:17:02 AM	Public Hearing	establishing an apprentice guide license.	Pearl, Howard (R)[C+]2024
SB30 00:31:52.200 - 8:30:58 AM	Public Hearing	proclaiming the Virginia opossum the state marsupial of New Hampshire.	Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2024
SB21 00:53:04.040 - 8:52:10 AM	Public Hearing	relative to establishing a New Hampshire state trooper recruitment loan debt relief program and making an appropriation therefor.	Gannon, Bill(R)[C+]2024
SB28 00:19:13.400 - 8:18:19 AM	Public Hearing	relative to workers' compensation claims involving emergency responders with acute stress disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.	Birdsell, Regina(R)[C+]2024
SB29 00:34:57.159 - 8:34:03 AM	Public Hearing	relative to membership, jurisdiction, and reports of the health care workplace safety commission and relative to health care facility reporting requirements under the workplace violence prevention program.	Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[CT]2024

SB32: Senator Howard Pearl, Lowden Support00:05:42.400 - 8:04:48 AM; Senator Pearl introduced Senate Bill 32, explaining that it was requested by the Fish and Game Department as a housekeeping measure. The bill aims to allow the department to post public hearing notices digitally on newspaper websites, which is currently not allowed. Additionally, it proposes changes to state law to align with federal regulations regarding shooting injured waterfowl from motorized craft, removing the word 'Brook' from references to trout to cover all species, enabling the executive director to set Fisheries habitat fees through administrative rules, and repealing the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission due to its expired term and renamed status.
SB32: Dan Bergham, Chief of the Wildlife Division, New Hampshire Fish and Game Support00:07:40.960 - 8:06:46 AM; Dan Bergham testified in support of Senate Bill 32, emphasizing that the proposed changes are largely housekeeping measures. He explained the need for digital posting of public hearing notices due to the decreasing availability of print newspapers. He also discussed the alignment with federal regulations on shooting injured waterfowl, and the need to update the terminology for trout species.
SB32: Diane Timmons, Chief of the Inland Fisheries Division, New Hampshire Fish and Game Support00:07:56.440 - 8:07:02 AM; Diane Timmons supported Senate Bill 32, clarifying the need to remove the word 'Brook' from trout references to ensure all species are covered in regulations. She also discussed the need to enable the executive director to set Fisheries habitat fees similar to the process for wildlife fees and explained the status change of the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission.
SB31 2024-1453h: Senator Howard Pearl, Lowden Support00:17:56.080 - 8:17:02 AM; Senator Pearl introduced Senate Bill 31, which establishes an apprentice guide license. He explained that this would allow individuals interested in becoming licensed guides to work with an experienced guide during hunting or fishing trips, helping them prepare for the required testing and familiarize themselves with the necessary paperwork and recordkeeping.
SB31 2024-1453h: Colonel Kevin Jordan, New Hampshire Fish and Game Support00:19:34.760 - 8:18:40 AM; Colonel Jordan supported Senate Bill 31, stating that it was developed in collaboration with the Guides Association. He highlighted the increased difficulty of the guide licensing process and how the apprentice program could help candidates prepare more effectively. He also mentioned a proposed amendment to ensure that apprentice guides have the appropriate licenses for the activities they assist with.
SB30: Senator Donovan Fenton, District 10 Support00:31:52.200 - 8:30:58 AM; Senator Fenton introduced Senate Bill 30, which aims to proclaim the Virginia opossum as the state marsupial of New Hampshire. He mentioned that the idea originated from fourth graders at Chesterfield School, who signed a petition to support the bill. He emphasized the educational and civic engagement aspects of the bill.
SB30: Vera Kusano and Vivian De Sosa, Fifth Graders Support00:35:33.320 - 8:34:39 AM; Vera Kusano and Vivian De Sosa, fifth graders from Chesterfield School, testified in favor of Senate Bill 30. They presented reasons for choosing the opossum, including its resilience and helpfulness in controlling ticks. They also noted that opossums are the only marsupials in North America and hoped that making them the state marsupial would increase awareness and prevent roadkill.
SB30: Kurt Arenburg, Humane Society of the United States Support00:38:12.359 - 8:37:18 AM; Kurt Arenburg testified in support of Senate Bill 30 on behalf of the Humane Society of the United States. He praised the educational aspect of the bill and the presentation by the students, expressing approval for the recognition of the opossum.
SB21: Senator Bill Ganon, District 23 Support00:53:04.040 - 8:52:10 AM; Senator Ganon introduced Senate Bill 21, aimed at attracting new recruits to the state police force through student loan forgiveness. He proposed up to $10,000 per year for five years, totaling $40,000, to help with student loans. He also discussed potential amendments to include benefits for the immediate family of state troopers.
SB21: Jonathan Malanson, New Hampshire Troopers Association Support00:03:09.440 - 8:02:15 AM; Jonathan Malanson testified in support of Senate Bill 21, emphasizing that it would be another tool for retaining state troopers. He stressed the importance of fully funding the program to avoid confusion and potential harm to recruitment and retention efforts.
SB21: Matt Amuchi, New Hampshire State Police Support00:04:13.799 - 8:03:19 AM; Matt Amuchi spoke in favor of Senate Bill 21, highlighting the current shortage of state troopers and the need for retention over recruitment. He suggested using the bill as a retention tool by including benefits for the dependents of current troopers, which could help prevent them from leaving for other agencies or the private sector.
SB21: Aubrey Freeman, Bridgewater Oppose00:14:08.800 - 8:13:14 AM; Aubrey Freeman testified in opposition to Senate Bill 21, arguing that it represents a special carve-out for certain professions at taxpayer expense. He expressed concerns about the fiscal responsibility of the program and questioned whether it would effectively solve the long-term problem of trooper shortages.
SB28: Senator Regina Buzel, District 19 Support00:19:13.400 - 8:18:19 AM; Senator Buzel introduced Senate Bill 28, which aims to clarify the date of injury for workers' compensation claims by emergency responders with acute stress disorder or PTSD. She explained that the bill would recognize the date of the last exposure to trauma rather than the first exposure, which could help more responders receive coverage.
SB28: John Mallister, Professional Firefighters of New Hampshire Support00:20:53.639 - 8:19:59 AM; John Mallister testified in support of Senate Bill 28, emphasizing the cumulative effects of trauma on firefighters and the need for timely and fair support for those affected. He discussed the efforts to break the stigma around mental health in the fire service and the importance of aligning PTSD with other occupational diseases for workers' compensation purposes.
SB28: Jared O'Connor, Attorney, Shaheen and Gordon Support00:27:50.119 - 8:26:56 AM; Jared O'Connor supported Senate Bill 28, explaining that it aligns with the work of the Governor's Commission on studying PTSD in first responders. He clarified that the bill treats PTSD as a disease that develops over time, allowing for more accurate reporting of the date of injury and facilitating quicker access to treatment and benefits.
SB29: Senator Cindy Rosenwald, District 13 Support00:34:57.159 - 8:34:03 AM; Senator Rosenwald introduced Senate Bill 29, which implements recommendations from the Health Care Workplace Safety Commission. The bill aims to add Hampstead Hospital to the commission, require New Hampshire and Hampstead hospitals to report incidents like other hospitals, and require monthly reporting to the Department of Labor. She emphasized the importance of better information to address rising incidents of workplace violence in healthcare settings.
SB29: Ben Bradley, New Hampshire Hospital Association Support00:39:32.760 - 8:38:38 AM; Ben Bradley testified in support of Senate Bill 29, stating that it aligns with the commission's recommendations. He noted that hospitals are already engaged in monthly reporting and emphasized the collaborative effort of various stakeholders in improving workplace safety. He confirmed that the hospitals can meet the monthly reporting obligation.

Pearl, Howard (Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	McGough, Tim(V Chairman)(R)	Gannon, Bill(R)[C+]2024
Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2024	Reardon, Tara(D)