Committee Summary for Senate Executive Departments and Administration (03/26/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB85 00:02:49.519 - 8:01:40 AM	Public Hearing	relative to temporary licensure for student respiratory therapists.	McGuire, Carol(R)[A+]2024
HB134 00:23:16.960 - 8:22:07 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the state building code.	McGuire, Carol(R)[A+]2024
HB144 00:36:22.880 - 8:35:13 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the practice of dental hygiene.	Grote, Jaci(D)[CT]2024
HB134 00:41:45.920 - 8:40:36 AM	Executive Session	relative to the state building code.	McGuire, Carol(R)[A+]2024
HB144 00:41:45.920 - 8:40:36 AM	Executive Session	relative to the practice of dental hygiene.	Grote, Jaci(D)[CT]2024
HB64 00:47:28.079 - 8:46:19 AM	Public Hearing	relative to extending hiring preferences for military members and their spouses to the state and private businesses, and establishing purchase preferences for disabled veterans and military spouses regarding state supply purchases.	Roy, Terry(R)[B]2024
HB64 House committee amendment 00:55:34.720 - 8:54:25 AM	Executive Session	relative to extending hiring preferences for military members and their spouses to the state and private businesses, and establishing purchase preferences for disabled veterans and military spouses regarding state supply purchases.	Roy, Terry(R)[B]2024
HB55 01:01:23.280 - 9:00:14 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to the Selective Service Compliance Act.	Mannion, Tom(R)[A+]2024
HB236 01:24:59.440 - 9:23:50 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the granting of retired status to certified public accountants.	Muns, Chris(D)[CT]2024
HB236 02:04:27.920 - 10:03:18 AM	Executive Session	relative to the granting of retired status to certified public accountants.	Muns, Chris(D)[CT]2024

HB85: Carol Maguire, representing the towns of Allenstown, Dunbarton, Epsom, and Hooksett Support00:02:49.519 - 8:01:40 AM; Representative Maguire introduced House Bill 85, which was requested by the hospital association. The bill aims to create a temporary license for student respiratory therapists, allowing them to work using the skills they have learned while still in training. This license is limited and helps students work in their chosen profession while in school, which is beneficial for both the students and the hospitals. The bill passed unanimously in the House.
HB85: Senator Aliller Information Only00:03:57.840 - 8:02:48 AM; Senator Aliller asked if the temporary license would pause if a student paused their program. Representative Maguire confirmed that the license is only applicable while the student is enrolled in school.
HB85: Unnamed Senator Information Only00:05:12.320 - 8:04:03 AM; An unnamed senator inquired about other disciplines that might have similar temporary licensure arrangements. Representative Maguire was not aware of any other disciplines with such arrangements but noted that the idea came from respiratory therapists who saw the potential benefit of working while in school.
HB85: Ben Bradley, New Hampshire Hospital Association Support00:06:02.479 - 8:04:53 AM; Ben Bradley from the New Hampshire Hospital Association expressed support for HB85. He explained that the bill originated from Health Force New Hampshire, a collaborative aimed at growing and sustaining the healthcare workforce. Other states allow respiratory therapy students to work under temporary licenses, which encourages students to work in those states. New Hampshire has a high vacancy rate for respiratory therapists, and allowing students to work while in school could increase the likelihood of them staying in the state post-graduation. The bill includes provisions for a student temporary license with a limited scope, requiring rulemaking and distinguishing between clinical practice and professional work. Students must show their temporary license to their employer to get paid for services provided.
HB85: Senator McHugh Information Only00:08:08.160 - 8:06:59 AM; Senator McHugh confirmed that students under the temporary license can only perform under the supervision of a respiratory care practitioner or physician, and they cannot perform tasks independently. Ben Bradley affirmed this, noting that the license allows students to work professionally outside of their clinical hours and get paid for their services within their achieved competencies.
HB85: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:09:01.200 - 8:07:52 AM; The speaker discussed the scenario of a respiratory therapist trainee working at a facility that is not their primary clinical site. They questioned how the trainee's competencies and training progress would be communicated to other providers and patients, especially in critical situations like cardiac arrests where the trainee might be called upon to perform tasks like intubation. The speaker emphasized the importance of clarity regarding the trainee's capabilities and the dynamic nature of their training.
HB85: Diana Jurus, Executive Director, OPLC Information Only00:13:01.440 - 8:11:52 AM; Diana Jurus clarified that the decision to hire a student with a temporary license is a business decision for hospitals. She emphasized that the state would not know the specifics of how hospitals manage these students, but there would be consequences if supervision is inadequate. She also explained the specifics of the temporary student license, noting its two-year duration and the requirement that the student must be enrolled in a respiratory care program to be eligible. She addressed concerns about how other staff and patients would be informed of the trainee's status, suggesting it would be managed similarly to clinical work under supervision.
HB85: Representative Maguire Information Only00:20:55.360 - 8:19:46 AM; Representative Maguire addressed concerns about the competencies of respiratory therapist trainees, suggesting that the rules could specify what tasks they are qualified to perform. They emphasized that the license should clearly state the trainee's competencies to ensure clarity for patients and other staff.
HB134: Representative Maguire, Merrimack 27 Support00:23:16.960 - 8:22:07 AM; Representative Maguire introduced the bill, explaining that it updates the electrical code to the 2023 version and adjusts the board meeting schedule for ratifying amendments. They noted that the electrical code is out of phase with other codes and that the updated code with amendments was adopted by the building code review board.
HB134: Philip Sherman, Chair of the Building Code Review Board Support00:24:13.360 - 8:23:04 AM; Philip Sherman explained the process leading to the bill, which adopts the 2023 National Electrical Code with 19 New Hampshire amendments and two additional amendments to the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code. He requested a simple amendment to change the date on line nine of the bill to April 11th, 2025, to allow for the ratification of two additional amendments.
HB144: Representative Maguire, Merrimack 27 Support00:36:22.880 - 8:35:13 AM; Representative Maguire introduced the bill, which requires dental hygienists to pass an exam before administering local anesthesia. They explained that this requirement was assumed but not explicitly stated in statute, and the bill aims to ensure that only trained individuals administer anesthesia.
HB144: Diana Jurus, Executive Director, OPLC Information Only00:37:35.920 - 8:36:26 AM; Diana Jurus stated that she had no specific comments but was available for questions. She confirmed that the bill pertains to local anesthesia and not related to ongoing discussions about dental anesthesia.
HB144: Angela Bole, Dental Hygienist Association, DuPont Group Support00:39:29.760 - 8:38:20 AM; Angela Bole explained that the bill concerns local anesthesia, which is different from moderate or minimal sedation. She noted that dental hygienists are trained to administer local anesthesia, and the bill ensures that hygienists coming into the state have the necessary qualifications. She also mentioned that the requirement stems from a 2017 board audit.
HB134: Committee Vote00:41:45.920 - 8:40:36 AM; The committee discussed and voted on HB134. They moved to not pass the bill as originally presented but approved a committee amendment to change the date on line 9 to April 11th, 2025. The bill was then moved to pass as amended.
HB144: Committee Vote00:41:45.920 - 8:40:36 AM; The committee moved to pass HB144 with no amendments. The motion was seconded and passed by consent.
HB64: Senator Reen Information Only00:47:28.079 - 8:46:19 AM; Senator Reen introduced House Bill 64, which aims to expand the definition of veteran for the purposes of veteran hiring and employment preferences. The bill includes veteran spouses and any active duty service member, regardless of length of service. It also extends employment preferences to veteran-owned suppliers of goods and services in dealings with the state.
HB64: Kevin Grady, State Veterans Advisory Committee, Hooksett, NH Support00:48:10.040 - 8:47:01 AM; Kevin Grady, representing the State Veterans Advisory Committee from Hooksett, NH, supported House Bill 64. He emphasized the committee's belief that when one serves in the military, the entire family serves, highlighting the challenges faced by military spouses. He advocated for extending hiring and contract preferences to military spouses and veteran-owned businesses, aligning with the bill's intent.
HB64: Danielle Albert, Deputy Commissioner, NH Department of Labor Information Only00:49:59.319 - 8:48:50 AM; Danielle Albert from the NH Department of Labor provided technical feedback on House Bill 64. She noted that the bill proposes amendments to RSA 275G related to veterans' hiring preference policies. She pointed out a potential error in the definition of 'military spouse' in the bill, suggesting a change from Roman numeral 4 to 5 to correctly reference the definition in RSA 2150. She also clarified that the verification of eligibility for hiring preferences, as currently written, would only apply to veterans, not military spouses or active duty members, unless the language is amended.
HB64 House committee amendment: Committee Vote00:55:34.720 - 8:54:25 AM; The committee discussed and voted on House Bill 64. They addressed the technical issue raised by the Department of Labor regarding the definition of 'military spouse' and agreed to amend the bill to change Roman numeral 4 to 5 in the relevant section. The committee then moved to pass the bill as amended, with unanimous consent.
HB55: Tom Manion, representing Hillsboro Support01:01:23.280 - 9:00:14 AM; Tom Manion introduced House Bill 55, which aims to move a piece of the existing RSA called the Selective Service Compliance Act from the education section to the military benefits section. The amendment removes the requirement for students to register for the draft to attain higher education in the state, as the federal government no longer requires draft registration for federal student aid. Manion, a Marine Corps veteran, supports a volunteer military and believes a draft should only be implemented if the U.S. is attacked. He argues that requiring students to register for selective service to access higher education is unnecessary and burdensome, especially since the federal government has removed similar requirements.
HB55: Senator Ganon Information Only01:03:12.559 - 9:02:03 AM; Senator Ganon asked if removing the requirement for selective service registration might weaken military morale or readiness. He expressed concern that not having a list of registered individuals could delay the process of raising an army in the event of war.
HB55: Senator Aler Information Only01:04:45.680 - 9:03:36 AM; Senator Aler sought clarification on the implications of not registering for selective service, particularly regarding federal penalties and eligibility for financial aid. He confirmed that as of January 2025, FAFSA no longer requires draft registration for federal student aid, shifting the burden to the states.
HB55: Aubrey Freriedman, Bridgewater Support01:10:36.159 - 9:09:27 AM; Aubrey Freriedman supported the bill, arguing that the U.S. has had an all-volunteer military for over 50 years, and registration for selective service is unnecessary, especially in times of national attack when volunteers are abundant. He criticized the requirement as being against the spirit of the 13th Amendment, likening it to involuntary servitude, and questioned why it only applies to men.
HB55: Kevin Grady, Hooksett, representing the State Veterans Advisory Committee Oppose01:12:23.440 - 9:11:14 AM; Kevin Grady, a 25-year Air Force veteran, opposed the bill, arguing that removing the state-level incentives for registering for selective service undermines the encouragement for young men to comply. He noted that the original statute from 1998 included requirements for education, scholarships, and state employment as incentives. Grady believes that the federal penalties for not registering are rarely enforced, and removing state incentives is a step towards encouraging non-compliance. He suggested that discussions about the necessity of selective service or its applicability to women should be held at the federal level.
HB55: Senator Ganon Information Only01:17:22.640 - 9:16:13 AM; Senator Ganon asked if having the list of registered individuals would help with readiness in scenarios requiring mobilization. The response indicated that it would be beneficial for knowing who is ready and able to serve, though the effectiveness in extreme scenarios like World War II was questioned.
HB55: Senator Alan Information Only01:18:18.239 - 9:17:09 AM; Senator Alan clarified that HB55 does not impede the requirement for males to register for selective service at 18 but shifts the responsibility of checking registration to state jobs. He noted that the federal government maintains the list and can call upon it if needed, and the bill removes the vetting from federal scholarship programs.
HB55: Unnamed Speaker Information Only01:19:34.800 - 9:18:25 AM; The speaker discussed the current state law incentives for registering for selective service, including penalties for non-compliance such as ineligibility for state jobs and scholarships. They mentioned that removing these incentives from the FAFSA application might be seen as tacitly allowing non-registration, and emphasized the state's role in supporting federal laws.
HB55: Senator Mc Information Only01:22:37.760 - 9:21:28 AM; Senator Mc inquired about the compliance rate of males in New Hampshire with selective service registration and was informed that such statistics are not kept at the state level. The discussion also touched on how HB55 would affect only those within the University System of New Hampshire and state scholarships.
HB236: Chris Muns, Hampton Support01:24:59.440 - 9:23:50 AM; Chris Muns introduced HB236, which allows retired CPAs to use the title 'CPA retired'. He explained the rigorous process to become a CPA and the benefits of allowing retired CPAs to use their title in a non-practicing capacity, such as volunteering for nonprofits. The bill was supported by the Board of Accountancy and passed the House on the consent calendar.
HB236: Senator Miguel Information Only01:29:21.920 - 9:28:12 AM; Senator Miguel inquired about the existence of similar retiree designations in other professions and whether there are thresholds for such designations, such as the 20-year service requirement in the military. He was curious if there was a similar time requirement in the proposed bill for CPAs.
HB236: Chris Muns, Hampton Information Only01:30:31.679 - 9:29:22 AM; Chris Muns responded to Senator Miguel's query about other retiree designations and thresholds. He mentioned that he is not aware of any other similar situations and that the only qualification in the bill for a retired CPA status is being at least 55 years old and having held a CPA certificate either currently or previously. He further discussed the lapsed license scenario and the potential for someone to reapply for retired status after a long period out of practice.
HB236: Chris Muns, Hampton Information Only01:31:46.280 - 9:30:37 AM; Chris Muns addressed a question regarding a potential pre-career CPA trainee license, expressing his view that it might not be necessary as businesses understand the training process of CPAs and that a trainee might not add significant value at that stage.
HB236: Richard Silverman, New Hampshire Board of Accountancy Support01:33:25.639 - 9:32:16 AM; Richard Silverman, a long-standing CPA and former chairman of the New Hampshire Board of Accountancy, testified in support of HB236. He explained that the bill allows CPAs to use the title 'retired CPA', which is an honorific title. He discussed the current options for CPAs who no longer wish to provide services (inactive status or license expiration) and the adoption of the retired status by the Uniform Accountancy Act (UAA) in 2018. He highlighted that 22 states have adopted this status, and it allows CPAs over 55 to place their license in retired status without continuing professional education requirements, enabling them to offer volunteer services.
HB236: Senator Ganon Information Only01:36:36.639 - 9:35:27 AM; Senator Ganon asked about the practical implications of the retired CPA status, questioning what it would allow CPAs to do. Richard Silverman responded that it would allow them to use the CPA status on business cards or letterhead with the 'retired' designation, adding credibility to their service on boards or nonprofits.
HB236: Robin Houston, CEO of the New Hampshire Society of CPAs Support01:38:21.040 - 9:37:12 AM; Robin Houston testified in favor of HB236, emphasizing the shortage of CPAs and the need for mentoring within the profession. She explained that the bill would allow retired CPAs to remain engaged, offering guidance and support to smaller firms and underserved communities. She highlighted the burnout factor among CPAs and the value of retired CPAs in volunteering for nonprofits and educational initiatives. She also mentioned the high demand for CPA services among New Hampshire's 7,000 nonprofits.
HB236: Senator Information Only01:41:53.360 - 9:40:44 AM; A senator asked Robin Houston about the potential need for a time requirement before a CPA could apply for retired status. Houston responded that she did not believe such a requirement was necessary, as the profession typically requires long-term commitment and the 55-year-old age restriction was sufficient. She also addressed concerns about insurance for retired CPAs doing pro bono work, stating that the UAA and the Board of Accountancy would oversee their licensing requirements.
HB236: Frederick Briggs, New Hampshire Board of Accountancy Support01:47:01.600 - 9:45:52 AM; Frederick Briggs, a past chairman of the New Hampshire Board of Accountancy, spoke in favor of HB236. He explained that the retired CPA status would enable CPAs to volunteer their services to nonprofits and assist with training new CPAs. He highlighted the shortage of new accounting graduates and the importance of retired CPAs in filling volunteer service needs. He also mentioned the current requirement for active CPAs to complete 80 hours of continuing professional education every two years, which would not be required for retired CPAs under the proposed legislation.
HB236: Unnamed Speaker, National Association of State Boards of Accountancy Support01:49:32.400 - 9:48:23 AM; The speaker supports the creation of a retired status for CPAs in New Hampshire. They mentioned that 22 out of 55 US jurisdictions already have a retired status for CPAs. The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) added retirement status to their Uniform Accountancy Act in January 2018, which supports the move towards a retired status for CPAs in New Hampshire.
HB236: Unnamed Speaker, New Hampshire Board of Accountancy Support01:51:26.760 - 9:50:17 AM; The speaker further supports the retired status for CPAs, emphasizing the value of retired CPAs to the community, particularly in volunteering for nonprofit boards. They argue that even CPAs who left the profession in their 20s still possess valuable skills that can benefit organizations without performing official CPA duties.
HB236: Diana Jerus, Executive Director, Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) Information Only01:52:46.080 - 9:51:37 AM; Diana Jerus provided context on the existing inactive status for CPAs and how the proposed bill would allow for a transition from retired to active or inactive status. She mentioned that the OPLC can operationalize the new retired status without issues, but questioned its necessity from a public health and safety perspective. She also noted that three other boards (Engineers, Architects, and Land Surveyors) already have a retired status.
HB236: Senator Mcu Information Only01:58:23.119 - 9:57:14 AM; Senator Mcu raised concerns about the qualifications for the retired status, suggesting a minimum length of service requirement to ensure the CPA's knowledge is not outdated. They discussed the value of retired CPAs on nonprofit boards, emphasizing their expertise and the benefits they bring to the community without performing official CPA duties.
HB236: Unnamed Speaker Support02:01:51.239 - 10:00:42 AM; The speaker supported the retired status for CPAs, highlighting the value of their expertise to nonprofit boards and the community. They argued that the retired status is an honorific that recognizes the extensive education required to become a CPA, and it encourages volunteerism in New Hampshire.
HB236: Committee Vote02:04:27.920 - 10:03:18 AM; The committee discussed the need for amendments to HB236, particularly regarding the qualifications for the retired status. They debated the age requirement and the necessity of continuing education for retired CPAs. The committee voted 4-1 to pass the bill with an amendment, and it was moved to be taken out of consent.

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