Committee Summary for Senate Finance (01/28/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB64 00:05:54.160 - 12:19:55 PM	Public Hearing	relative to an appropriation to the department of justice for the purpose of funding the New Hampshire child advocacy centers.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB113 00:24:21.880 - 12:38:22 PM	Public Hearing	making appropriations to the department of health and human services for homeless services and homeless prevention.	Birdsell, Regina(R)[C+]2024
SB114 01:11:42.000 - 1:25:43 PM	Public Hearing	making appropriations to the department of health and human services to support community and transitional housing through community mental health centers.	Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2024
SB114 01:34:01.920 - 1:48:02 PM	Public Hearing	making appropriations to the department of health and human services to support community and transitional housing through community mental health centers.	Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2024
SB20 01:51:09.360 - 2:05:10 PM	Executive Session	relative to payment by the state of a portion of retirement system contributions of political subdivision employers.	Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[CT]2024
SB35 01:55:02.159 - 2:09:03 PM	Executive Session	making an appropriation for rail trail project matching funds.	Innis, Daniel(R)[C+]2024
SB64 02:07:30.639 - 2:21:31 PM	Executive Session	relative to an appropriation to the department of justice for the purpose of funding the New Hampshire child advocacy centers.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB113 02:08:18.040 - 2:22:19 PM	Executive Session	making appropriations to the department of health and human services for homeless services and homeless prevention.	Birdsell, Regina(R)[C+]2024

SB64: Grant Bossy, Deputy Chief of Staff for the New Hampshire Senate Support00:05:54.160 - 12:19:55 PM; Grant Bossy introduced Senate Bill 64 on behalf of Senator Tim Lang, the bill's prime sponsor. The bill proposes a straight appropriation of $3 million over the biennium to the Department of Justice to fund New Hampshire child advocacy centers. This funding would extend through the next biennium, and it is seen as a flag planting bill to establish the Senate's position in favor of funding these centers. The expectation is that, if favorably considered by the committee, it would be brought to the floor, passed, and tabled for consideration as part of HB2 later in the spring. Many advocates in favor of the bill were expected to testify.
SB64: Joe Barrett, CEO of the Granite State Children's Alliance, and Nicole Addu, Chief Program Officer Support00:08:40.958 - 12:22:41 PM; Joe Barrett and Nicole Addu represented the Granite State Children's Alliance, which operates four child advocacy centers in Nashua, Manchester, Keene, and Laconia. They expressed gratitude for the previous $3 million appropriation and emphasized the importance of Senate Bill 64 for continuing to fund these centers. The funding has allowed for staff retention and expansion, increased capacity to handle child abuse investigations, and provided critical services such as behavioral health and trauma therapy. They stressed the importance of maintaining level funding to ensure the continued effectiveness of child advocacy centers in New Hampshire.
SB64: Peter Maher, Chief of Police in Manchester, New Hampshire Support00:14:13.480 - 12:28:14 PM; Peter Maher, Chief of Police in Manchester, strongly supported Senate Bill 64, highlighting the critical role of child advocacy centers in conducting forensic interviews and supporting law enforcement in child abuse cases. He emphasized the importance of the safe, neutral environment provided by CACs and the trained professionals who conduct interviews, which are essential for reliable and legally defensible evidence. He noted the partnership between law enforcement and CACs and the need for continued level funding to maintain this collaboration and protect vulnerable children.
SB64: Nick Willard, Retired Manchester Police Chief and United States Marshal Support00:16:32.440 - 12:30:33 PM; Nick Willard expressed strong support for Senate Bill 64, emphasizing the necessity of level funding for child advocacy centers. He discussed the role of CACs in coordinating multi-disciplinary responses to child abuse investigations, as required by the Attorney General's protocol. Willard highlighted the importance of the services provided by CACs, such as family support and behavioral health, which are critical for children affected by abuse. He urged the committee to support the bill to ensure these services continue to be available to vulnerable children in New Hampshire.
SB64: Emily Gro, Strafford County Attorney Support00:19:16.799 - 12:33:17 PM; Emily Gro, Strafford County Attorney, testified in favor of SB64, which aims to maintain level funding for New Hampshire's child advocacy centers (CACs). With nearly a decade of experience as a prosecutor, Gro has been involved in numerous child abuse investigations. She emphasized the critical role of CACs in prosecuting child abuse cases, particularly child sexual assault, which are challenging due to the private nature of the abuse and delayed disclosure. Gro highlighted the importance of trained forensic interviewers at CACs, who focus on obtaining accurate rather than damning evidence, which is essential for both convicting the guilty and exonerating the innocent. Additionally, she noted that CACs provide essential services that help children engage with the criminal justice system and heal, which is vital for their participation in legal proceedings. She stressed that SB64 is crucial for the safety of New Hampshire's children and the effectiveness of the justice system, urging the committee to support the bill to ensure continued partnership with law enforcement and prosecutors.
SB113: Kate Litman, Senate Policy Majority Director Information Only00:24:21.880 - 12:38:22 PM; Kate Litman introduced SB113 on behalf of Senator Birel, focusing on making appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services for homeless services and homeless prevention. She mentioned that Senator Birel would provide more detailed information soon.
SB113: Senator KH Support00:25:08.440 - 12:39:09 PM; Senator KH expressed support for SB113, highlighting the strain on city budgets due to housing instability. He cited an example from Keene, where the city had to spend significantly more than budgeted due to the end of the housing eviction moratorium. He emphasized the need for state assistance to meet these unanticipated costs and noted the irony of state support for sheltered but not unsheltered homeless populations. He praised the potential of the bill to assist non-profits and community action programs in distributing housing assistance and preventing evictions, which could benefit thousands of people across New Hampshire.
SB113: Regina Barcel, State Senator for District 19 (Hamstead, Derry, Windham) Support00:31:32.320 - 12:45:33 PM; Regina Barcel, the prime sponsor of SB113, stressed the bill's importance in addressing the homelessness crisis in New Hampshire. The bill proposes $12 million annually to sustain existing shelter beds and support additional emergency beds, $3 million per year for homeless prevention services, and directs the Commissioner of DHHS to apply for a Medicaid benefit for supportive housing services. Barcel noted the drastic rise in unsheltered homelessness and the financial strain on shelters, which are at risk of reducing beds or closing without adequate funding. She highlighted the bill's role in providing immediate relief while long-term housing solutions are pursued, and emphasized the need for homeless prevention services to reduce future costs.
SB113: Maria Delin, President and CEO of Families in Transition, Manchester Support00:35:26.480 - 12:49:27 PM; Maria Delin, representing Families in Transition in Manchester, supported SB113, emphasizing its importance in addressing the funding gap faced by homeless shelters. She detailed the services provided by her organization, including emergency shelters, housing, substance use treatment, and food insecurity programs. Delin reported high occupancy rates and significant numbers of individuals turned away due to capacity constraints. She highlighted a million-dollar deficit in their operations, underscoring the need for increased state funding to sustain their services. Delin praised the bill for its potential to provide necessary funding, which could help more individuals transition from homelessness to stable housing.
SB113: Jennifer Chisum, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness Support00:40:01.079 - 12:54:02 PM; Jennifer Chisum expressed strong support for SB113, emphasizing the critical and growing issue of homelessness in New Hampshire. She highlighted the state's highest percentage increase in homelessness from 2022 to 2023, with 6,806 residents experiencing homelessness in 2023, a number larger than the population of Meredith or Plymouth. She detailed the increase in chronic homelessness by over 150% since 2019, and a near quadrupling of unsheltered homelessness from 2019 to 2024. Chisum also noted a 40% increase in family homelessness from 2022 to 2023, with children under 18 representing one out of five homeless individuals. She highlighted the significant increase in homelessness among older adults aged 55 and above, projecting this issue to worsen due to the aging population. Chisum stressed the importance of adequately funded prevention and shelter programs, advocating for a robust emergency shelter system to provide necessary services and support for stabilization amidst economic challenges.
SB113: Nick Taylor, Director of Housing Action New Hampshire Support00:44:39.920 - 12:58:40 PM; Nick Taylor, representing Housing Action New Hampshire, strongly supported SB113, emphasizing the interconnectedness of housing and homelessness. He noted the housing shortage in New Hampshire, with rising rents and low vacancy rates contributing to increased homelessness. Taylor stressed the immediate need for shelter beds and services to prevent further strain on local welfare, hospitals, and law enforcement. He advocated for the bill as a critical measure to address the immediate needs of those experiencing homelessness while long-term solutions like building more housing units and reducing regulatory barriers are pursued.
SB113: Will Arll, Executive Director of Crossroad House, Portsmouth Support00:47:26.000 - 1:01:27 PM; Will Arll from Crossroad House in Portsmouth expressed strong support for SB113, highlighting the shelter's full capacity and the ongoing challenge of expanding bed capacity. He detailed the high operational costs due to continuous operation and feeding residents, noting that state funding covers only about 25-28% of expenditures. Arll emphasized the importance of the SGIA funding, as private donations are showing signs of fatigue. He discussed the shifting demographics of the homeless population, particularly the increase in older individuals with health and disability issues, and the significant waitlist for beds. Arll stressed the critical role of the proposed funding in maintaining shelter services and urged the committee to support the bill.
SB113: Jake Barry, Vice President of Policy at New Futures Support00:51:29.720 - 1:05:30 PM; Jake Barry from New Futures, a health policy and advocacy organization, strongly supported SB113, noting the organization's focus on health and well-being across lifetimes. He highlighted the increased rates of homelessness across various demographic groups, including children, families, older adults, and individuals with substance use and mental health issues. Barry stressed the need for the funding proposed in SB113 to help shelters serve more people effectively, pointing out that the daily reimbursement increases from the previous year are insufficient but helpful. He emphasized the long-term cost savings and the moral responsibility to support those in need, advocating for the bill's passage.
SB113: Sam Hawkins, Public Policy Assistant at NAMI New Hampshire Support00:53:30.920 - 1:07:31 PM; Sam Hawkins from NAMI New Hampshire spoke in support of SB113, emphasizing the critical relationship between housing stability and mental health. He highlighted that stable housing is essential for good mental health, particularly for those with mental health conditions, aiding in their recovery. Hawkins also noted that a lack of stable housing can exacerbate mental health issues, and without the supports and services funded by the bill, individuals experiencing homelessness in New Hampshire could see their mental health decline and face adverse outcomes like hospitalization or incarceration.
SB113: Caran Rodenhiser, Executive Director of the Home For All Coalition Support00:55:28.960 - 1:09:29 PM; Caran Rodenhiser expressed strong support for SB113, citing it as an essential step in addressing the growing homelessness crisis in New Hampshire. She mentioned a significant increase in homelessness statistics, including chronic and veteran homelessness, and stressed the limitations of the point-in-time count. Rodenhiser discussed the high demand for housing and homeless services, with over 10,000 referrals to 211 for such services in 2024. She emphasized the importance of shelters and the need for consistent funding to maintain capacity and prevent costly alternatives like hotel stays for families or prolonged hospital stays for medically cleared individuals.
SB113: Maurice Warble, CEO of the Front Door Agency, Nashua, New Hampshire Support01:00:07.079 - 1:14:08 PM; Maurice Warble, representing the Front Door Agency in Nashua, supported SB113, describing the agency's 38-year history of helping families and individuals break the cycle of poverty through various housing programs. He highlighted the sharp increase in median rent costs and the agency's struggle to meet the growing demand for housing assistance, with a 2140% increase in requests over the last two years. Warble stressed the importance of the bill's funding to help the working poor and maintain workforce stability, noting the support from the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce.
SB113: Kyra Leonard, Finance Director, Division for Behavioral Health and Division of Long-Term Supports and Services, DHHS Information Only01:03:12.599 - 1:17:13 PM; Kyra Leonard from DHHS provided information on SB113, thanking the sponsors for recognizing the importance of shelter services and homeless prevention. She outlined the department's budget, which includes $10 million for homeless shelters, split between regular and cold weather shelters, and an additional $2.5 million to maintain current rates with contracted providers. Leonard also discussed the bill's $3 million allocation for prevention to expand the Emergency Solutions Grant and Housing Stabilization Program. She mentioned the renewal of the state plan amendment 1915i, already implemented and approved through June 30, 2027, and the need for two new positions to support the bill's implementation.
SB114: Senator Donovan Fenton, District 10 Support01:11:42.000 - 1:25:43 PM; Senator Donovan Fenton introduced SB114, aimed at supporting community and transitional housing through Community Mental Health Centers. He described the bill as a bipartisan effort to address the housing crisis for individuals with mental illness, aligning with the Department of Health and Human Services' Mission Zero. Fenton detailed the funding requests: $1.5 million for one-time capital funds, $1 million per year to stabilize existing programs, and an increase in daily rates for certified community residents to $350 from $278. He emphasized the bill's alignment with Governor AA's priorities on mental health and mentioned an amendment to adjust the numbers to better reflect an effective solution.
SB114: Lisa Madden, President and CEO of Riverbend Community Mental Health, Vice President of Behavioral Health for Concord Hospital Support01:15:46.480 - 1:29:47 PM; Lisa Madden, representing the Community Behavioral Health Association, supported SB114, emphasizing the urgency of expanding community housing to facilitate discharges from New Hampshire Hospital. She noted that on a specific date, nearly half of the hospital's beds were occupied by individuals who could be discharged if housing were available. Madden highlighted the financial investments made by Riverbend and Manchester Community Mental Health in residential programs and the need for support to sustain these efforts, enabling individuals to live in the community where they deserve to be.
SB114: Rebecca, Program Manager for Milhouse and Bosquin, Riverbend Support01:17:36.600 - 1:31:37 PM; Rebecca, with 36 years of experience in the field, testified about the underfunding and underutilization of residential programs. She explained how Milhouse helps residents avoid costly hospital stays by providing individual apartments with mental health support in common areas and with medication management. She shared stories of two residents to illustrate the program's impact. The first, a 50-year-old woman, has not been hospitalized for over a year thanks to the support and community at Milhouse. The second, Jim, a 66-year-old, has overcome social anxiety and isolation, attributing his progress to the supportive environment at Milhouse. Rebecca emphasized that the bill's increased funding would enhance quality care and reduce costs by lessening the reliance on emergency rooms and hospitals.
SB114: Jonathan Day, Resident at Milhouse Support01:22:02.320 - 1:36:03 PM; Jonathan Day shared his personal experience as a resident at Milhouse, stating that the program has been instrumental in saving his life. He spoke of battling suicidal thoughts and self-harm before joining the residential housing, and how the support and treatments available have been crucial for his recovery. He described the Milhouse community as a large family that provides constant support for daily living, and as a lifelong resident of New Hampshire, he urged support for Senate Bill 114.
SB114: Sam Hawkins, Public Policy Assistant at NAMI New Hampshire Support01:23:54.480 - 1:37:55 PM; Sam Hawkins testified in support of Senate Bill 114 on behalf of NAMI New Hampshire. He highlighted the importance of community services like housing programs in addressing the emergency department boarding crisis in New Hampshire. Despite progress made through the Mission Zero initiative, he pointed out the continued need for a wide array of community services to meet the needs of individuals with mental illnesses, and urged the committee to support the bill.
SB114: Carolyn Lewis, Bureau Chief of the Bureau for Mental Health Services, DHHS Information Only01:24:39.800 - 1:38:40 PM; Carolyn Lewis provided information on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services regarding Senate Bill 114. She expressed the department's support for efforts to expand housing options for individuals with behavioral health challenges, emphasizing the importance of housing in the success of the Mission Zero initiative. She mentioned previous collaboration on a similar bill and expressed confidence in working with advocates and sponsors to make the current bill effective.
SB114: Lauren Lbell, Vice President of Customer Success at Tutor.com Support01:34:01.920 - 1:48:02 PM; Lauren Lbell expressed strong support for SB114, which would enable Tutor.com to continue working with the New Hampshire Department of Education and participating schools. She emphasized the company's American origins and compliance with U.S. laws, highlighting a regulatory review by the federal government that found no national security issues with Tutor.com. The company has binding agreements in place to protect student data and works directly with schools in New Hampshire to provide free, 24/7 online tutoring to students from grades 4 through 12 and adult education. Tutor.com has been serving New Hampshire for three years, partnering with over 100 schools and districts. Lbell mentioned that the service is cost-free to students and schools, funded through the Department of Education, and has helped save families money on educational resources like SAT prep. She also noted that while there's no specific study on New Hampshire, independent studies elsewhere have shown positive impacts on student grades and absenteeism.
SB114: Mark Mlan, Executive Director of the New Hampshire School Administrators Association Support01:42:39.400 - 1:56:40 PM; Mark Mlan, representing the New Hampshire School Administrators Association, spoke in support of SB114, recognizing the value of Tutor.com's services to students, families, and educators. He highlighted the difficulty in measuring the effectiveness of educational initiatives like tutoring, explaining that any evaluation would be anecdotal and based on ongoing classwork. He emphasized the role of Tutor.com as a tool in personalized and individualized education but noted that no formal evaluation has been conducted by the association in New Hampshire. Mlan was open to partnering with experts to provide more information if needed.
SB114: Melissa White, Division Director for Learner Support at New Hampshire Department of Education Information Only01:45:44.639 - 1:59:45 PM; Melissa White provided information on the selection process of Tutor.com for online tutoring services, funded by COVID-19 relief funds aimed at addressing learning loss. She explained that an RFP was issued, and Tutor.com was chosen among several vendors. She was available to answer further questions from the committee.
SB114: Berel Information Only01:46:30.960 - 2:00:31 PM; Berel discussed the fiscal note related to SB114, highlighting the current contract with Princeton Review for $1.6 million annually. They questioned the sufficiency of the $1 million appropriation proposed in the bill for the biennium ending June 30th, 2027, indicating a shortfall of $1.1 million per year based on current costs. Berel mentioned the lack of negotiations on future costs and uncertainty about whether the appropriation would meet the actual needs, emphasizing that their analysis was based on current expenses.
SB114: Senator Waters Information Only01:48:50.719 - 2:02:51 PM; Senator Waters inquired about the effectiveness of the services provided by tutor.com. The response indicated that the Department of Education has not been able to attribute any changes in statewide assessment scores specifically to the usage of tutor.com services. However, they do have bi-weekly meetings with tutor.com to review usage and gather anecdotal feedback from students about how the service has helped them, though no formal studies or data on efficacy exist.
SB20: Committee Information Only01:51:09.360 - 2:05:10 PM; The committee discussed Senate Bill 20, moving to approve it with a motion of ought to pass (OTP), seconded by Senator Rosenwald and Senator Berel. The decision was made with the understanding that the bill would be tabled after approval, as per standard procedure, to be included in the budget later. The vote passed unanimously, and the bill will not be placed on the consent calendar.
SB35: Committee Information Only01:55:02.159 - 2:09:03 PM; The committee discussed Senate Bill 35 regarding the rail trail. A motion to pass the bill was moved by Senator Enis and seconded by Senator Rosenwald. There was a discussion about a potential amendment to use toll tax credits to fund the project, but no final decision was made on the amendment. The committee decided to pass and table the bill, with the intention to revisit the amendment and funding options later, possibly during discussions on House Bill 1 and 2. The vote to pass was unanimous, and the bill will not be placed on the consent calendar.
SB64: Committee Information Only02:07:30.639 - 2:21:31 PM; The committee discussed Senate Bill 64, moving to approve it with a motion of ought to pass, seconded by another member. There was no opposition, and the bill passed unanimously. The decision was made to pass and table the bill, and it will not be placed on the consent calendar.
SB113: Committee Information Only02:08:18.040 - 2:22:19 PM; The committee discussed Senate Bill 113 related to Health and Human Services, moving to approve it with a motion of ought to pass by Senator Berel and Senator Rosenwald. The bill passed unanimously with no opposition. The decision was made to pass and table the bill, and it will not be placed on the consent calendar.

Gray, James(Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Innis, Daniel(V Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Carson, Sharon(R)[C]2024
Watters, David(D)[CT]2024	Birdsell, Regina(R)[C+]2024	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[CT]2024	Pearl, Howard (R)[C+]2024