Committee Summary for Senate Finance (02/04/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB115 00:04:54.360 - 12:19:00 PM	Public Hearing	making an appropriation for regional drinking water infrastructure.	Abbas, Daryl(R)[C+]2024
SB240 01:04:33.520 - 1:18:39 PM	Public Hearing	making an appropriation to the department of environmental services for eligible water projects.	Ricciardi, Denise(R)[C-]2024
SB239 01:25:29.480 - 1:39:35 PM	Public Hearing	requiring the general fund to cover the costs of the fish and game department retirement contributions and technology services.	Watters, David(D)[CT]2024
114 01:48:50.400 - 2:02:56 PM	Executive Session	Unclear	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
SB114 2025-0055s 01:51:05.800 - 2:05:11 PM	Executive Session	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
SB71 01:58:23.000 - 2:12:29 PM	Executive Session	relative to cooperation with federal immigration authorities.	Gannon, Bill(R)[C+]2024
SB115 02:00:27.480 - 2:14:33 PM	Executive Session	making an appropriation for regional drinking water infrastructure.	Abbas, Daryl(R)[C+]2024
SB116 02:04:25.360 - 2:18:31 PM	Executive Session	relative to the Pillsbury Lake Village District community water system, and making an appropriation therefor.	Innis, Daniel(R)[C+]2024
Unclear 02:14:52.119 - 2:28:58 PM	Executive Session	appropriation for the Department of Environmental Services for eligible water projects

SB115: Senator Daryl Abbas, representing District 22 (Pelham, Salem, Atkinson, Plaistow) Support00:04:54.360 - 12:19:00 PM; Senator Daryl Abbas introduced Senate Bill 115, which proposes to allocate $28,870,000 to the Department of Environmental Services for the continuation of phase two of the Southern New Hampshire Regional water pipeline. He emphasized the importance of this project for future development, highlighting that it could service up to 30,000 users and increase water supply by 1.2 million gallons per day in Salem. Abbas also mentioned that the project includes the installation of pumping stations in Derry, which would benefit multiple communities including Plaistow, Windham, Atkinson, and Hampstead. He stressed the urgency of the project due to rising costs and its importance for economic development and addressing housing needs in Salem, where current water sources like Canobie Lake and Arlington Pond face issues like cob bacteria.
SB115: Senator Underwood Support00:11:01.680 - 12:25:07 PM; Senator Underwood expressed support for the bill but sought clarification on its broader impact, questioning how the project relates to previous water mitigation efforts concerning PFAS and other contaminants. Senator Abbas responded by acknowledging PFAS issues in the region, including his personal experience with well remediation, and emphasized the economic benefits and the multi-community impact of the project. He noted that without state funding, the financial burden on local municipalities like Salem would be significant, potentially stalling development across multiple towns.
SB115: Senator bson Support00:13:32.199 - 12:27:38 PM; Senator bson expressed strong support for the bill, stating his intention to vote in favor of it. He raised a question regarding the funding model suggested by former Senator Morse, which proposed that municipalities, developers, and the state each contribute a third of the costs. He sought clarification on whether such a model had been considered for this project, specifically mentioning North Salem's situation where the town would still be responsible for infrastructure costs despite developers having been approved for projects.
SB115: Brian Jello, Derry Town Counselor Support00:21:04.000 - 12:35:10 PM; Brian Jello, a Derry resident and town counselor, supported the bill based on his understanding of regional water infrastructure challenges. He shared an anecdote about Senator Morse's attempt to solve water issues in Plaistow by connecting to Haverhill, Massachusetts, which was not feasible due to competition. Derry, instead, agreed to be part of a regional solution where the state would fund infrastructure, allowing Derry to profit from water flow to neighboring towns like Windham, Salem, and Atkinson. He emphasized the regional benefits and economic development potential, supporting the bill 100%.
SB115: Roy Senson, Municipal Services Director for the town of Salem Support00:28:24.360 - 12:42:30 PM; Roy Senson, the Municipal Services Director for Salem and chairman of the Southern New Hampshire Regional partners, strongly supported the bill. He highlighted the regional cooperation among Manchester, Derry, Windham, Salem, Hampstead, Atkinson, and Plaistow, as well as private entities like Pennichuck and the Hampstead Area Water Company. He mentioned the initial focus on MTBE contamination and the subsequent completion of Phase 1, which supplies water to various towns. He stressed the need for Phase 2 funding to meet the region's growing water demands.
SB115: Bob Scott, Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Services Information Only00:35:18.160 - 12:49:24 PM; Bob Scott, Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Services, provided informational testimony about the project. He noted the department's involvement since the project's inception and highlighted the towns' in-kind contributions and operational responsibilities. He discussed the project's benefits during droughts and its regional significance, emphasizing the challenges of securing town funding for regional projects. He was available for questions but did not take a position on the funding aspect.
SB115: Dan Inis, Senator from Bradford representing District 7 Support00:47:44.720 - 1:01:50 PM; Senator Dan Inis supported the bill concerning the Pillsbury Lake Village Water District in Webster. He outlined the district's financial burden from loans taken for necessary upgrades, leading to high water bills for residents. He argued that shutting down the system would force residents to install individual wells and septic systems on undersized lots, potentially harming the environment. He suggested state funding as a solution to ensure sustainability and environmental protection.
SB115: John Meranus, resident of Webster Support00:54:08.559 - 1:08:14 PM; John Meranus, a resident and user of the Pillsbury Lake Village Water District, supported the bill. He highlighted the drastic reduction in the number of water system users due to high costs and emphasized the need for the bill to alleviate the financial burden on remaining customers. He stressed the importance of maintaining the community water system for residents on small lots.
SB115: Representative from SEAWAG group Support00:55:00.680 - 1:09:06 PM; The speaker, representing the SEAWAG group, discussed the challenges faced by their community due to the water infrastructure. They noted that without the community water system, properties would be abandoned because private wells and septic systems are not feasible on many lots. They are requesting support for a one-time effort to relieve the group of the loans, after which they will manage the operation of the community water system.
SB115: Senator Information Only00:55:46.400 - 1:09:52 PM; The senator commented on the reduction of customers on the community water system from over 100 to 37. They noted that some residents left due to fears about the system's feasibility and installed private wells instead. The senator also questioned the legal obligation of those who left to pay off the system's debt, to which it was clarified that this is a debated issue.
SB115: Senator Information Only00:57:12.240 - 1:11:18 PM; The senator clarified that the loan in question is only related to the drinking water system and not to the sewer system, as the community does not have a sewer system. They also discussed the size of lots and the feasibility of installing both a well and a septic system on them.
SB115: Senator Information Only00:58:01.559 - 1:12:07 PM; The senator discussed the size of lots and the legal requirements for installing wells and septic systems, noting that lots before 1967 have different regulations. They mentioned the need for a large area to accommodate both systems and awaited further information from the Department of Environmental Services (DES).
SB115: Senator Information Only00:58:53.839 - 1:12:59 PM; The senator continued the discussion on the feasibility of installing wells and septic systems on smaller lots, mentioning the required square footage and the need for confirmation from DES.
SB115: Brandon Kernin, Administrator of the Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau Information Only00:59:34.599 - 1:13:40 PM; Brandon Kernin provided an overview of the water system's situation, noting the decrease in the number of homes connected to the system and the resultant increase in water bills. He explained the regulations for pre-1967 lots, the costs associated with installing wells with necessary enhancements, and the possibility of sharing wells among groups of homeowners.
SB115: Senator Information Only01:01:32.520 - 1:15:38 PM; The senator sought clarification on the regulations for pre-1967 lots and the feasibility of installing both septic systems and wells. They also discussed the financial responsibility of homeowners regarding loans taken out by the water system.
SB240: Denise Rardy, State Senator for District 9 Support01:04:33.520 - 1:18:39 PM; Senator Denise Rardy spoke in support of Senate Bill 240 FN, which aims to appropriate funds for water waste infrastructure projects. She highlighted the importance of these investments for public health, environmental protection, and economic development. The funding would enable municipalities to complete existing projects and start new ones, ensuring safe and effective wastewater treatment systems that are crucial for housing development and economic growth.
SB240: Margaret Support01:06:54.079 - 1:21:00 PM; Margaret expressed strong support for Senate Bill 240, which would appropriate funds for state aid grant projects. She emphasized the importance of these projects for economic development and housing, noting that many projects were unfunded for years, leading to municipalities covering costs that were expected to be covered by state grants. She highlighted the current budget's allocation and the need for continued funding to support new projects.
SB240: Senator Information Only01:09:05.560 - 1:23:11 PM; The senator sought clarification on the specifics of Senate Bill 240, ensuring it was only for wastewater infrastructure and not drinking water. They also discussed the funding situation in the current and upcoming biennial budgets, the status of previously approved projects, and the need for new funding to support new projects.
SB240: William Hansel, North Conway, Granite State Rural Water Association Support01:13:44.840 - 1:27:50 PM; William Hansel, representing North Conway Water Precinct and as a policy analyst for Granite State Rural Water Association, congratulated the committee for bringing the water infrastructure program up to date. He highlighted that this is the first budget season with funds allocated for 2025, emphasizing the importance of sustaining the program. Hansel presented a needs list indicating current demands and mentioned the necessity for municipalities to revisit their engineering plans to support housing development. He also shared the history of North Conway's efforts since the 1980s to protect a unique aquifer, including building a tertiary treatment plant. He stressed the importance of state and federal grant partnerships in funding these projects and encouraged maintaining a flatline budget to ensure an even flow of funding, which is crucial for municipalities to plan and build infrastructure in phases.
SB240: Senator Information Only01:21:32.480 - 1:35:38 PM; The Senator asked for clarification on how the water infrastructure program relates to building housing, noting that the program seems to apply to wastewater systems that are already built and completed. They used the example of the town of Conway, which is now entering the water and wastewater business due to the dissolution of the Conway Village Fire District. The town is in the process of hiring a consultant to plan water and wastewater infrastructure to support housing development in specified zones.
SB240: William Hansel, North Conway, Granite State Rural Water Association Support01:22:42.639 - 1:36:48 PM; William Hansel responded to the Senator's question by explaining that the town of Conway is planning to extend water and wastewater services to support housing in designated areas like East Conway Road and Center Conway. He noted the process involves adding these plans to the needs list and building in phases, emphasizing that this process would take years. Hansel affirmed the importance of the bill in paying the interest on loans, which is crucial for the success of these infrastructure projects.
SB239: Senator David Waters, District 4 Support01:25:29.480 - 1:39:35 PM; Senator David Waters introduced Senate Bill 239, which includes a replace all amendment to appropriate funds for the fishing and game department to cover environmental review and salary increases. He explained that the bill arose from a study committee on fishing and game funding, highlighting the department's financial challenges and the need for sustained funding. Waters mentioned the success of the hike safe pass in covering search and rescue costs but pointed out a potential $3 to $4 million shortfall in sustaining operations. He praised the new director's efforts to manage finances and suggested that the bill serves as a placeholder to address these funding needs, pending the governor's budget and house actions.
SB239: Senator Information Only01:31:10.880 - 1:45:16 PM; The Senator expressed concern over the lateness of the amendment to the original bill, noting that the public has not seen what the amendment would spend the money on. They questioned the germaneness of the amendment, as it diverts funds from the original bill's purpose. The Senator suggested a calendar notice for the amendment to address these concerns and discussed the potential need for an executive session to discuss further.
SB239: Senator Information Only01:33:16.119 - 1:47:22 PM; The senator discussed the broader implications of the workload and funding of the Fish and Game Department, questioning if a more holistic approach should be taken to assess what the department is asked to do, given the fees it can reasonably collect. They mentioned specific tasks like searching for Alzheimer's patients, lost children, suicidal individuals, and enforcing snowmobile and ATV trails.
SB239: Senator Information Only01:34:05.560 - 1:48:11 PM; The senator responded to previous comments, mentioning the summer study report which partially addressed the discussed issues. They emphasized the need to scrutinize the department's mission due to declining revenues from hunting and fishing licenses, suggesting that funding might need to come from the general fund, similar to other states.
SB239: Senator Information Only01:35:06.560 - 1:49:12 PM; The senator inquired about changes in appropriation from IT to the endangered species fund and from retirement to salary increases, expressing curiosity about the IT system's outdated status as mentioned by the director in another committee.
SB239: Senator Information Only01:36:28.639 - 1:50:34 PM; The senator explained the alignment of the bill's requests with the department's needs, particularly concerning IT upgrades. They mentioned the director's identification of additional funding needs and emphasized the proposal's readiness.
SB239: Senator Information Only01:37:28.600 - 1:51:34 PM; The senator discussed Senate Bill 109, relating to a new Supreme Court requirement for Fish and Game to review AOT permits for their impact on endangered and threatened species. They suggested creating a self-funded mechanism for administrative costs from developer fees, addressing the new unfunded mandate.
SB239: Senator Information Only01:38:22.040 - 1:52:28 PM; The senator acknowledged the importance of the habitats and species work, noting the need for funding to support the new responsibilities imposed by the Supreme Court decision.
SB239: Senator Information Only01:38:48.040 - 1:52:54 PM; The senator discussed the financial challenges facing the Fish and Game Department, suggesting that evolving budget discussions might affect the dollar amounts proposed in the bill. They emphasized the need to identify funding solutions for sustaining operations.
SB239: Senator Information Only01:39:47.360 - 1:53:53 PM; The senator asked about considerations for raising funds through cooperation with the Department of Safety and DE for functions currently performed by Fish and Game, such as AOT reviews and law enforcement duties in the North Country.
SB239: Director of Fish and Game Information Only01:41:35.159 - 1:55:41 PM; The director, accompanied by the business division chief, Kathy Monte, addressed questions about funding and inter-agency cooperation. They discussed considerations for raising revenue through other agencies, efforts to work efficiently with DEES and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, and awaiting the governor's budget to proceed with fee considerations.
SB239: Business Division Chief Kathy Monte Information Only01:43:32.080 - 1:57:38 PM; Kathy Monte explained the financial details of the bill, including the costs for permit review staff and the department's need for $2 million to cover raises for state employees, which was not continued in subsequent budgets. She mentioned the potential impact on staffing, such as not hiring seasonal positions, due to budget constraints.
SB239: Meredith Hatfield, The Nature Conservancy Support01:45:27.880 - 1:59:33 PM; Meredith Hatfield expressed strong support for the Fish and Game Department, highlighting their value to various groups including hunters, fishermen, and tourism activities. She mentioned The Nature Conservancy's partnership with Fish and Game, bringing in matching funds to access federal funds. Hatfield suggested exploring additional funding sources, such as fees from developers and hunters, to help the agency become self-sufficient.
114: Senator Information Only01:48:50.400 - 2:02:56 PM; The senator discussed an amendment to bill 114, raising concerns about the appropriation lapsing for mental health housing. They suggested amending the amendment to make the appropriation non-lapsing, considering the history of delays in adding new mental health housing stock.
SB114 2025-0055s: Unknown Speaker 1 Information Only01:51:05.800 - 2:05:11 PM; The speaker discusses the details of the appropriations within the bill, specifically focusing on the second appropriation on line 17, which includes non-lapsing language. They suggest collapsing the appropriations in the next budget cycle and propose moving an amendment to the existing amendment.
SB114 2025-0055s: Unknown Speaker 2 Information Only01:52:02.520 - 2:06:08 PM; The speaker confirms the plan to handle the amendment as a committee amendment to Senate Bill 114, using amendment 2025-0055s as the base. They discuss adding the term 'non-lapsing' and 'continually appropriated' to the appropriation language and suggest using existing language from the bill to tie it to mental health housing stocks and expansion.
SB114 2025-0055s: Unknown Speaker 3 Information Only01:52:53.480 - 2:06:59 PM; The speaker further discusses the amendment, suggesting that the appropriation should be non-lapsing and continually appropriated to support mental health housing. They raise concerns about the clarity of the language and suggest that a separate appropriation sentence might not be necessary if the language is added to the existing sentence.
SB114 2025-0055s: Unknown Speaker 4 Information Only01:55:14.440 - 2:09:20 PM; The speaker clarifies the implications of the appropriation being non-lapsing and continually appropriated. They express concern over the language that suggests a permanent appropriation and suggest that it should have a date certain instead. They decide to put the amendment on hold and let the Legislative Budget Assistant (LBA) rework it with Senators before the next meeting.
SB114 2025-0055s: Senator Birdo Information Only01:56:31.800 - 2:10:37 PM; Senator Birdo moves to pass amendment number 2025-186s on Senate Bill 117, which removes a specific company name and generalizes it to 'online tutoring'. The amendment is seconded, and there is a brief discussion about the change.
SB114 2025-0055s: Senator Inis Information Only01:57:21.040 - 2:11:27 PM; Senator Inis suggests a friendly amendment to add a reporting requirement to the bill, which would require the department to report annually on the use and effectiveness of the program starting June 30th, 2026. The amendment is put on hold to be worked on with LBA, and there is a general agreement on the need for accountability on the investment.
SB71: Unnamed Senator Information Only01:58:23.000 - 2:12:29 PM; The senator moved to pass Senate Bill 71, which was seconded by Senator Lang. The motion to pass was approved with no opposition.
SB115: Unnamed Senator Information Only02:00:27.480 - 2:14:33 PM; The senator discussed the need for a friendly amendment to Senate Bill 115, which would add language to protect current rate payers from being adversely affected by costs associated with new water infrastructure projects. The amendment was proposed to ensure that municipally owned water utilities, such as Penu, would not impose tax liabilities on communities through which water pipes flow, but private utilities like Pencuk East, which goes through Londonderry, Derry, Litchfield, Hudson, and other towns, would be subject to utility and property taxes without a way to pass these costs onto non-users.
SB115: Senator Burdell Information Only02:02:10.480 - 2:16:16 PM; Senator Burdell expressed concerns about the proposed amendment to Senate Bill 115, stating that if the valuation of property increases due to new infrastructure, it would be subject to utility property tax. He clarified that while the utility would pay the tax, there would be no mechanism to recover these costs from users not directly benefiting from the water project, only those using the water would be charged.
SB115: Unnamed Senator Information Only02:03:09.280 - 2:17:15 PM; The senator concluded the discussion on Senate Bill 115 by deciding to hold the bill due to the confusion and complexity surrounding the tax implications and cost recovery for non-users of the water system.
SB116: Unnamed Senator Information Only02:04:25.360 - 2:18:31 PM; The senator discussed Senate Bill 116, which deals with Pillsbury Lake's water system. He noted the ethical concerns of billing people who no longer use the system for the loans and infrastructure costs, and the current situation where the burden falls on the remaining 37 users. He suggested that towns and water districts might need to cover these costs themselves but acknowledged the pragmatic and environmental considerations, expressing support for the bill.
SB116: Unnamed Senator Information Only02:05:23.480 - 2:19:29 PM; The senator raised concerns about the fairness of the obligation to pay for infrastructure, even if one no longer uses the system. He questioned whether those who initially signed on to the utility system should continue to be responsible for the loan, even if they have since moved off the system. He suggested consulting an attorney to review the original documents for any ongoing obligations.
SB116: Unnamed Senator Information Only02:07:30.679 - 2:21:36 PM; The senator clarified that the principal and interest of the loan are tied together and cannot be separated, emphasizing that those who signed up for the system should be responsible for both, even if they are no longer using it. He also questioned the environmental impact and the feasibility of the 37 remaining users obtaining a loan to pay off the system, considering their financial situation.
SB116: Unnamed Senator Information Only02:10:48.280 - 2:24:54 PM; The senator discussed the challenges of retroactively holding people accountable for the system's costs, especially if they have moved and sold their homes to buyers expecting a well. He highlighted the complexity of the situation and the potential need for legal review of the original agreements to determine ongoing obligations.
SB116: Unnamed Senator Information Only02:12:57.440 - 2:27:03 PM; The senator concluded the discussion on Senate Bill 116, expressing doubts about resolving the issue in time for passage this year due to unanswered questions about obligations and the need for further investigation.
Unclear: Unnamed Senator Information Only02:14:52.119 - 2:28:58 PM; The senator moved to pass the bill and table it for further discussion, noting that HB2 had already allocated $15 million for fiscal years 26 and 27 for the Department of Environmental Services' budget. The motion to pass and table was approved.

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