Committee Summary for Senate Executive Departments and Administration (02/11/2026)

Pearl, Howard (Chairman)(R)[B]2025	McGough, Tim(V Chairman)(R)[B+]2025	Gannon, Bill(R)[B-]2025
Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2025	Reardon, Tara(D)[F]2025

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB266 00:03:29.200 - 8:01:00 AM	Public Hearing	relative to structural changes to the department of energy.	Harrington, Michael(R)[A]2025
HB266 00:08:30.479 - 8:06:01 AM	Executive Session	relative to structural changes to the department of energy.	Harrington, Michael(R)[A]2025
HB567 2026-0595s 00:10:26.800 - 8:07:57 AM	Executive Session	relative to the elimination of useful thermal energy from renewable energy classes.	Harrington, Michael(R)[A]2025
HB610 00:13:10.880 - 8:10:41 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to the office of the consumer advocate.	Berry, Ross(R)[A+]2025
SB656 00:39:58.480 - 8:37:29 AM	Public Hearing	establishing a web-based occupational license application portal for veterans and military spouses.	McGough, Tim(R)[B+]2025
SB656 00:52:00.559 - 8:49:31 AM	Executive Session	establishing a web-based occupational license application portal for veterans and military spouses.	McGough, Tim(R)[B+]2025
HB610 00:53:07.440 - 8:50:38 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) relative to the office of the consumer advocate.	Berry, Ross(R)[A+]2025
SB420 00:54:53.520 - 8:52:24 AM	Executive Session	relative to the state commission for human rights.	Ward, Ruth(R)[B-]2025
SB425 00:56:42.319 - 8:54:13 AM	Executive Session	relative to the terms and qualifications for the adjutant general and deputy adjutant general, and commandant of the New Hampshire veterans' home.	Lang, Timothy(R)[B-]2025
SB470 00:57:39.760 - 8:55:10 AM	Executive Session	relative to the expungement of certain disciplinary matters.	Rochefort, David(R)[B-]2025
SB527 2024-0667s 00:58:51.599 - 8:56:22 AM	Executive Session	relative to written notice provided by state agencies to municipalities regarding pending applications.	Lang, Timothy(R)[B-]2025
SB573 2024-0515s 01:05:58.799 - 9:03:29 AM	Executive Session	establishing certification standards for facility comfort dogs.	Birdsell, Regina(R)[B-]2025
SB570 01:17:58.400 - 9:15:29 AM	Executive Session	relative to the legislative ethics committee and legislative ethics.	Carson, Sharon(R)[B]2025

HB266: Senator Tim Mcu (Merrimack, District 11) Information Only00:03:29.200 - 8:01:00 AM; Senator Tim Mcu introduced House Bill 266 on behalf of its sponsors, Representative Harrington and Representative N from Merrimack. He explained that the bill relates to the Department of Energy, granting it party status in proceedings before the Public Utilities Commission. He noted that experts from the department would provide technical details.
HB266: Meg Stone, Department of Energy Support00:04:36.000 - 8:02:07 AM; Meg Stone, legislative liaison with the Department of Energy, accompanied by General Counsel David Schul, testified in support of House Bill 266. She described it as a cleanup bill from last year, addressing concerns from the Public Utilities Commission through amendments passed by the House. She detailed changes: Section 1 clarifies the department's authority over statutes it administers and its control over evidence presented to the PUC; Section 2 affirms the right to appeal proceedings; Section 3 makes the PUC administratively attached like other agencies, removing outdated provisions; Section 4 removes redundant authority and clarifies the department's power to require document production from regulated companies. She emphasized these align with existing practices and legislative intent.
HB266: Committee Chair Vote00:08:30.479 - 8:06:01 AM; The committee voted unanimously on consent to pass HB 266 without amendment, noting it involved technical changes agreed upon by all parties. However, upon reminder from Grant Posi, Deputy Chief of Staff, New Hampshire Senate, they withdrew the consent vote to allow for potential amendments carrying Senate priorities, such as video recording, and placed it on the regular calendar.
HB567 2026-0595s: Committee Chair Vote00:10:26.800 - 8:07:57 AM; The committee moved to pass HB 567 as amended by amendment 2026-0595s, which removes the section on temporary licensure after discussions with interested parties concluded it was too complicated for this bill and should be addressed separately. The vote was unanimous without consent.
HB610: Senator Tim Mcu Information Only00:13:10.880 - 8:10:41 AM; Senator Tim Mcu introduced House Bill 610 in the absence of the sponsors to open the hearing for discussion.
HB610: Donald Crease, Consumer Advocate Support00:14:06.800 - 8:11:37 AM; Donald Crease, the state's Consumer Advocate, testified in support of House Bill 610 with one recommended change. Celebrating his 10th anniversary, he highlighted his background as a fast writer and fearless advocate for residential utility customers. He explained the bill's evolution through collaboration, noting New Hampshire is one of 47 states with a ratepayer advocate office, most requiring the head to be an attorney. He recommended retaining the attorney requirement for the Consumer Advocate position, as advocacy demands legal expertise, and opposed allowing engineers or economists, citing recruitment challenges and the need for legal representation in PUC proceedings. He addressed concerns about independence and environmental bias, affirming the bill clarifies the role without compromising it. During Q&A, he suggested deleting language allowing non-attorneys and provided historical context on past attempts to change the position.
HB610: Alan Linder, Retired Attorney Oppose00:26:53.360 - 8:24:24 AM; Alan Linder, a retired New Hampshire attorney who practiced extensively on behalf of low and moderate-income clients at the Public Utilities Commission since 1980, checked in as opposed. He expressed admiration for the work of consumer advocates in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, where he also practiced. He noted the history of the position starting in 1975 as the Legislative Utilities Consumer Council, amended in 1981 to its current form, with all statutes requiring the advocate to be qualified.
HB610: Alan Linder, Retired Attorney Information Only00:29:27.679 - 8:26:58 AM; Alan Linder continues his testimony, emphasizing the necessity of the consumer advocate being an attorney due to the legal demands of the role. He highlights the importance of document analysis, preparation, and wording to avoid issues from ambiguous language. He provides examples from PUC proceedings, such as settlement agreements that nearly collapsed due to inconsistencies and commission orders requiring clarification. He stresses that attorneys are essential for preparing legal pleadings, motions, hearings, and effective cross-examination of expert witnesses, as non-attorneys risk asking questions that could undermine the case. Linder agrees with Mr. Crease and the committee that limiting the position to a qualified New Hampshire attorney, excluding professional engineer or economist, would serve the public interest, particularly residential ratepayers. He also raises concerns about the bill's removal clause on page two, which allows the governor to remove the advocate for 'unsatisfactory performance,' noting its ambiguity in relation to the duties outlined on page one, lines 13-15, particularly the word 'assuring' lowest possible costs. He argues this could unfairly blame the advocate for commission decisions and suggests relying on the existing RSA 4:1 removal statute for cause, such as malfeasance or incompetence.
HB610: Alan Linder, Retired Attorney Oppose00:29:27.679 - 8:26:58 AM; Mr. Linder opposes the removal section of HB 610, arguing it is redundant with RSA 4, which already provides a mechanism for the governor to remove public officials for cause. He recommends dropping the last section on page two, lines 27-33, to avoid potential problems with removal proceedings and hearings.
SB656: Senator Tim McCuish, District 11 (Merrimack, Milford, Amherst, Wilton) Support00:39:58.480 - 8:37:29 AM; Senator McCuish introduces SB 656 as a reprise of a bill passed unanimously by the Senate in 2024 but not fully enacted due to House amendments. The bill addresses challenges faced by 10% of NH citizens who are military or veterans, particularly the 30% of military spouses with professional licenses who encounter difficulties (40% per DoD) when relocating due to change of station. It establishes a web-based portal within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, working with OPLC, to create pre-verified applications, upload documents, and streamline licensing. The portal aims to be revenue neutral via modest fees, increase licensing revenue, and align with Governor Ayotte's call for expanded technology in occupational licensing.
SB656: Trevor Cornwell, President of Government Affairs, Aspire Technologies Support00:44:58.160 - 8:42:29 AM; Mr. Cornwell supports SB 656 on behalf of Aspire Technologies and a coalition including the Association of the United States Army, Blue Star Families, and others. The bill facilitates digital licenses and reciprocity for veterans and military spouses. Aspire partners with states like Florida and Kansas to enable safe, secure, instantaneous license transfers. He highlights delays in relicensing causing income loss for military families, using a nurse spouse example. The digital platform maps requirements, verifies credentials, and streamlines applications to OPLC, improving efficiency and customer experience while keeping approval with OPLC.
SB656: Representative from Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services, Community Based Military Programs Support00:49:55.680 - 8:47:26 AM; The representative supports SB 656 on behalf of service members, veterans, families, and OPLC. It reinforces support for deployed or out-of-state service members, aligning with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Existing OPLC processes are enhanced, and the department commits to supporting implementation and collaboration with other agencies.
SB656: Committee Vote00:52:00.559 - 8:49:31 AM; The committee votes to pass SB 656 on consent with no discussion.
HB610: Committee Vote00:53:07.440 - 8:50:38 AM; The committee decides to hold HB 610 for further consideration due to compelling testimony suggesting necessary changes. Members express a need to dig deeper into the bill's necessity and potential amendments.
SB420: Committee Vote00:54:53.520 - 8:52:24 AM; The committee votes for interim study on SB 420 by consent, citing recent changes to the human rights commission that need time to take effect and be evaluated.
SB425: Committee Vote00:56:42.319 - 8:54:13 AM; The committee holds SB 425 pending a major amendment that completely rewrites the bill. The amendment is not yet ready, and Senator Roer is requested to explain it next week.
SB470: Committee Vote00:57:39.760 - 8:55:10 AM; The committee holds SB 470 while the senator works on an amendment.
SB527 2024-0667s: Committee Vote00:58:51.599 - 8:56:22 AM; The committee adopts amendment 0667s, developed with DES and the Municipal Association to address concerns about notice processes, shifting to electronic mail unless a town opts out, while retaining first-class mail options and requiring verification. The bill is passed as amended on consent.
SB573 2024-0515s: Committee Vote01:05:58.799 - 9:03:29 AM; The committee adopts amendment 0515s, which changes the title to 'comfort facility dog,' adjusts training to one hour per month plus site and psychological first aid training, requires facility ownership of dogs starting initial training after effective date, and bases spaying/neutering on veterinarian recommendation. Discussion addresses concerns about wording, ownership in settings like hospitals, and liability. The bill is passed as amended on consent.
SB570: Committee Vote01:17:58.400 - 9:15:29 AM; The committee holds SB 570 for further stakeholder discussions and review of an existing amendment. Additional meetings are scheduled, and questions remain unanswered.