Committee Summary for Senate Finance (02/10/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
CACR12 00:09:30.000 - 12:54:16 PM	Executive Session	relating to voting on broad-based taxes. Providing that a supermajority vote of the general court shall be required to enact any broad-bases taxes.	Lang, Timothy(R)[B-]2025
HB407 00:13:26.880 - 12:58:12 PM	Executive Session	setting a minimum threshold for the adoption of town and school budget and spending items for towns using a ballot to select such methods during town meeting.	Berry, Ross(R)[A+]2025
HB604 00:14:36.880 - 12:59:22 PM	Executive Session	relative to a loan forgiveness program for low-income homeowners to build new accessory dwelling units or renovate existing structures into accessory dwelling units.	Newell, Jodi(D)[CT]2025
SB662 00:16:26.240 - 1:01:12 PM	Public Hearing	making an appropriation to the department of natural and cultural resources for renovations to the Northwood Meadows Lake Dam.	Pearl, Howard (R)[B]2025
SB419 00:19:10.880 - 1:03:56 PM	Executive Session	relative to the housing champion designation and program and the affordable housing fund, and making appropriations therefor.	Perkins Kwoka, Rebecca(D)[F]2025
SB483 00:20:12.799 - 1:04:58 PM	Executive Session	making a contingent appropriation to the department of health and human services for recruitment and benefit grants for child care employers.	Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[F]2025
SB484 00:21:00.799 - 1:05:46 PM	Executive Session	prohibiting Medicaid premiums and limiting Medicaid expansion cost sharing.	Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[F]2025
Unclear 00:23:04.880 - 1:07:50 PM	Executive Session	Unclear
SB488 00:23:56.080 - 1:08:42 PM	Executive Session	enabling the governor to declare a state of emergency due to the failure of the legislature to pass a budget or continuing resolution to fund the New Hampshire state government by July 1 of the first year of a biennium.	Carson, Sharon(R)[B]2025
SB541 00:25:56.159 - 1:10:42 PM	Executive Session	making an appropriation for regional drinking water infrastructure.	Abbas, Daryl(R)[B-]2025
SB600 00:25:56.159 - 1:10:42 PM	Executive Session	requiring the governor to submit and present a quarterly fiscal year budget report about the general and education trust funds to the general court fiscal committee.	Gray, James(R)[B-]2025
SB601 00:26:45.520 - 1:11:31 PM	Executive Session	relative to the allocation and disbursement of state contributions for non-state employer pension costs under the New Hampshire retirement system.	Long, Pat(D)[F]2025
SB602 00:28:38.080 - 1:13:24 PM	Executive Session	relative to the withholding of state payments to the federal government in response to suspended federal aid.	Perkins Kwoka, Rebecca(D)[F]2025
SB661 00:29:43.440 - 1:14:29 PM	Executive Session	relative to pooled risk management programs.	Carson, Sharon(R)[B]2025
SB663 00:31:22.080 - 1:16:08 PM	Public Hearing	creating a Medicaid methodology working group within the department of health and human services and making an appropriation to the department of health and human services for eligible nursing facilities based on Medicaid reimbursement rates.	Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[F]2025
SB661 01:00:06.480 - 1:44:52 PM	Public Hearing	relative to pooled risk management programs.	Carson, Sharon(R)[B]2025
SB661 02:25:55.359 - 3:10:41 PM	Executive Session	relative to pooled risk management programs.	Carson, Sharon(R)[B]2025

CACR12: Senator Lang Vote00:09:30.000 - 12:54:16 PM; Moved the motion for CACR12.
CACR12: Senator Pearl Vote00:09:30.000 - 12:54:16 PM; Seconded the motion for CACR12.
CACR12: Unidentified Senator Oppose00:10:47.920 - 12:55:33 PM; Opposed the motion, noting New Hampshire's 250-year history without broad-based taxes, all enacted by Republicans, and argued against handicapping the future.
CACR12: Senator Waters Oppose00:11:36.000 - 12:56:22 PM; Opposed the motion, reiterating reasons including the inappropriate use of 'scheme' in legislative language and the undemocratic nature of not trusting senators to represent voters on constitutional amendments.
CACR12: Senator Glind Support00:11:36.000 - 12:56:22 PM; Supported the motion, clarifying that the vote is to allow citizens direct democracy on whether a two-thirds requirement is appropriate for broad-based taxes.
CACR12: Senator Rosenol Oppose00:11:36.000 - 12:56:22 PM; Opposed, stating constituents have elected senators for 250 years who do not pass broad-based taxes, no such bills seen in eight years, and public does not want them.
HB407: Unidentified Senator Vote00:13:26.880 - 12:58:12 PM; Suggested pursuing an interim study due to uncertain state revenue, rather than passing the bill.
HB407: Senator Lang Vote00:13:26.880 - 12:58:12 PM; Moved for interim study.
HB407: Senator Pearl Vote00:13:26.880 - 12:58:12 PM; Seconded the motion for interim study.
HB604: Unidentified Senator Vote00:14:36.880 - 12:59:22 PM; Motion to pass with interim study.
HB604: Unidentified Senator Vote00:14:36.880 - 12:59:22 PM; Seconded the motion.
HB604: Senator Pearl Vote00:14:36.880 - 12:59:22 PM; Agreed to take the bill.
SB662: Senator Howard Pearl, District 17, Lowden Support00:16:26.240 - 1:01:12 PM; Introduced SB662, explaining it reinstates $1 million for the Northwood Meadows Dam project after funds lapsed inadvertently. Noted the project is ready but lacks funding, requested passage to hold until revenue allows appropriation.
SB419: Senator Innis Vote00:19:10.880 - 1:03:56 PM; Moves for interim study on SB419.
SB483: Chair Information Only00:20:12.799 - 1:04:58 PM; Puts SB483 on hold for another week due to issues with transferring TANF funds and pending questions from Senator Lang.
SB484: Senator Rosenwald Oppose00:21:00.799 - 1:05:46 PM; Moves ought to pass on SB484 but argues against it, noting congressional action makes legislative work short-term and expensive. Emphasizes protecting Medicaid by avoiding initiatives that lead to disenrollment, which could exacerbate mental health and drug crises and increase private insurance premiums as costs shift.
SB484: Committee Vote00:22:18.559 - 1:07:04 PM; Votes on ought to pass for SB484; ayes have it.
Unclear: Senator Lang Oppose00:23:04.880 - 1:07:50 PM; Moves ITL, highlighting that passing would create a $23 million hole in the Department of Health and Human Services amid revenue struggles.
Unclear: Committee Vote00:23:04.880 - 1:07:50 PM; Votes on ITL; nays have it.
SB488: Senator Birdsell Oppose00:23:56.080 - 1:08:42 PM; Moves ought to pass but votes against, concerned it overly cedes legislative authority in budget negotiations after veto, especially allowing three attempts instead of two, and notes odd omissions of important departments from coverage.
SB488: Committee Vote00:25:06.720 - 1:09:52 PM; Votes on ought to pass for SB488; nays have it.
SB541: Chair Information Only00:25:56.159 - 1:10:42 PM; Holds SB541 due to ongoing water issues requiring further discussion.
SB600: Chair Information Only00:25:56.159 - 1:10:42 PM; Holds SB600 to verify conflicting reports from the Governor's office.
SB601: Senator Lang Support00:26:45.520 - 1:11:31 PM; Moves inexpedient to legislate.
SB601: Senator Rose Support00:26:45.520 - 1:11:31 PM; Acknowledges large price tag but supports, expecting revenue pickup as mentioned by Senator Lang. Notes it's one of few ways to guarantee property tax relief by sending a smaller bill to the house.
SB601: Unnamed Senator Oppose00:27:49.039 - 1:12:35 PM; The senator opposes the idea, citing impacts on communities and the precedent it would set for future expectations. They highlight remaining budget cuts in health and human services and other areas, refusing to support anything that would alter this without addressing those cuts first.
SB602: Senator (motion maker) Oppose00:28:38.080 - 1:13:24 PM; Makes a motion for ITL recommendation, describing the bill as a spiral downward that would lead to mutual withholding of funds between state and federal governments, ultimately crippling state operations and not a proper budgeting approach.
SB661: Senator Lane Information Only00:29:43.440 - 1:14:29 PM; Moves for consent on SB661, with discussion on whether to object or pull it; the chair notes the absent senator can pull it later if desired, and the vote proceeds on consent.
SB663: Senator Cindy Rosenwald, District 13 (Nashua) Support00:31:22.080 - 1:16:08 PM; Introduces SB663, which appropriates funds for the current fiscal year to address an emergency in the nursing home sector and directs the HHS commissioner to convene a working group on rate-setting methodology. Explains the current Byzantine budget neutrality requirement that cuts reimbursements as costs rise, affecting all nursing homes especially private ones. Notes recent $2 million transfer helped but didn't stop cuts; 34 nursing homes, including 10 county ones, faced substantial reductions on January 1st.
SB663: Senator Cindy Rosenwald, District 13 (Nashua) Support00:34:09.760 - 1:18:55 PM; Emphasizes the need for a viable nursing home sector as Medicaid covers over 60% of care and is an entitlement for eligible seniors, unlike home-based care. Discusses consequences if nursing homes can't cover costs: closures (e.g., 45-bed facility in North Conway), unit closures leading to hospital bed shortages and ER delays, or staff cuts reducing resident care, as seen during the Great Recession with delayed responses to call bells.
SB663: Senator Cindy Rosenwald, District 13 (Nashua) Support00:34:59.680 - 1:19:45 PM; Section two appropriates $5 million in general funds for the commissioner to distribute to nursing homes with over 5% rate cuts on January 1st. Hoped for rate adjustments with federal match, but refers back to the working group in section one.
SB663: Unknown Speaker Support00:37:58.880 - 1:22:44 PM; The speaker argues that the rate setting methodology prevents using other funds, so general funds are needed. They propose an amount of funding that won't fully solve the problem but will help. They reference the governor's commitment to protecting the vulnerable, emphasizing that nursing home residents are the oldest and frailest Granite Staters, including spouses, parents, and grandparents, and urge the committee to ensure their safety and well-being.
SB663: U. Henry, Medicaid Director, HHS Information Only00:38:46.720 - 1:23:32 PM; Henry supports examining the rate setting methodology and suggests using the existing state, county, and finance committee as the venue, as it is a public process involving relevant stakeholders and counties provide substantial funding to nursing facilities. Regarding funding, more time is needed to see the effects of existing solutions.
SB663: Brenda Butrick, Administrator, St. Francis Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Laconia Support00:41:16.560 - 1:26:02 PM; Butrick supports SB663 and thanks sponsors like Senator Tim Lang. She notes that only one of Catholic Charities' seven nursing homes avoided a Medicaid cut on January 1, with St. Francis facing over 9% or $2443 per resident per day, not the worst in the system. Cuts occur amid rising care costs, making recruitment and retention challenging due to needs for livable wages and housing. The budget adjustment factor results in losses, diverting resources from the nonprofit mission. SB663 would help affected facilities like St. Francis, Mount Carmel, St. Ann's, St. Vincent de Paul, and Ward Health Center in Windham (over 14% cut). As a registered nurse, she attests to the quality care provided, but the mission is jeopardized. The bill would also require system examination for improvement.
SB663: Chantel, Rockingham County Nursing Home Support00:45:00.079 - 1:29:46 PM; On January 1, Medicaid rates at Rockingham County were cut by $2643 daily. With 91 Medicaid residents (64% of population), this equals about $67,000 monthly loss for six months. Even before, challenges included rising food and wage costs. They offer LNA sign-on bonuses but have 51 beds offline due to staffing shortages despite a waiting list, impacting county support. As the worst impacted facility with a 9.11% cut, SB663 would cover some or all of it and establish a working group for the reimbursement system.
SB663: Brendan Williams, President CEO, New Hampshire Health Care Association Support00:47:59.359 - 1:32:45 PM; Williams appreciates the bill and the legislative fiscal committee's fund shift, reducing impacted nursing homes from 51 to the 30s. Still, 13 facilities face severe cuts over $10 per resident per day. SB663 would triage those with over 5% cuts from July 1 rates. Initially, there was a 2.45% average increase, but 51 were set for cuts, now 33, with overall January 1 increase at 0.01%. Costs like wages (leading all sectors post-COVID) and food have risen more. Additional FY funds provide a bridge. Examples include Holy Cross Health Care Center's 12% cut ($31 per day). The bill establishes a working group to examine the overdue rate methodology. NH has the second oldest population and one of the four oldest nursing home populations nationally. A 45-bed nonprofit closed in North Conway last year after eight years without closures; sustainability is key.
SB663: Malcolm Dean, Administrator, Maple Leaf Healthcare Center, Manchester Support00:51:39.599 - 1:36:25 PM; Dean supports SB663. Maple Leaf (114 beds) took over 9% cut; part of Matera Health with two other facilities (one in Manchester, one in Epsom) also affected but less so. As a newer owner, they get statewide average rate for two years without extra for exceeding costs; actual costs would have yielded a large July 1 increase. With 70 Medicaid residents, they are heavily dependent. Expenses rise while reimbursement decreases; SB663 funding would help Maple Leaf and sisters, seeking support.
SB663: Chuck Crush, Administrator and CEO, Salem Haven Nursing Home, Salem Support00:53:49.359 - 1:38:35 PM; Crush supports SB663. Salem Haven (nonprofit, 110 residents) took 2.19% cut ($5.95 per day) on January 1, not the worst but still hurtful. As nonprofit, goal is serving citizens, not profits. Reimbursement has trended wrong despite good intentions. Pending Medicaid owes $600,000, challenging cash flow; thanks for DHHS appropriation to contractor. Bill would study reimbursement shortcomings for predictability and sustainability; NH has second oldest population, urging passage.
SB663: Melissa Caster, Administrator, Alpine Healthcare, Keene Support00:55:50.400 - 1:40:36 PM; Caster, a NH native and longtime nursing home professional, supports SB663. Alpine faces 11.85% reduction ($34.49 per resident per day), one of the largest hits. During picture window, 64% residents were Medicaid-covered, now higher. They budget to maintain staff wages and care for complex seniors. Bill offers short-term relief to absorb cuts while caring for vulnerable residents, urging passage.
SB661: Senator Sharon Carson, District 14 (Londonderry, Derry, Hudson, Auburn) Support01:00:06.480 - 1:44:52 PM; Senator Carson introduced SB 661, explaining it was refiled after failing last year due to House changes, prompted by SchoolCare's issues leading to a $2 million shortfall bill for her district and others. She highlighted financial and operational concerns with risk pools since 1987, which allow political subdivisions to self-insure. The bill adds solvency protections, sets 12-16% contingency reserves (effective July 2027), includes an emergency mechanism for assessments via the Secretary of State, increases transparency, and defines key terms. She noted NH Interlocal Trust is winding down with a receiver. Carson hoped for agreement and offered the Secretary of State for technical questions.
SB661: David Scandlin, Secretary of State Support01:07:48.319 - 1:52:34 PM; Scandlin testified on RSA 5-B oversight of pooled risk organizations like Primex, SchoolCare, and Health Trust, which enable self-insurance for political subdivisions. He detailed issues with NHIT's insolvency, leading to a receiver (Lance Turjan), and SchoolCare's $30 million assessment after reserves dropped below safe levels. Health Trust self-reported low reserves but lacks transparency, facing enforcement actions. Charts showed reserve declines; the bill's 12-20% range would trigger early alerts. He proposed an amendment for member-held reserves to cover assessments. Scandlin emphasized protecting taxpayers and employees from surprises like pandemics or poor management, noting audits lag behind issues. He advocated for actuarial-based ranges to ensure stability and return surpluses to members.
SB661: Lance Turjan, Court-Appointed Receiver for NH Interlocal Trust Information Only01:09:51.120 - 1:54:37 PM; Turjan described NHIT's rapid decline: from $3.7M cash and $1.2M reserves at fiscal year start to negative reserves and $700K cash by April. An assessment was needed amid pended $1.2M claims and a $500K-$1M organ transplant. Members paid, aided by a $610K settlement; half assessments were returned by December, with full return likely via stop-loss. He highlighted cash flow crises, breach risks with administrators like Harvard Pilgrim, and the need to terminate non-paying members to protect others. Turjan called it his hardest job, underscoring reserve importance for stability.
SB661: Scott D. Roach, Executive Director, Health Trust Oppose01:31:54.239 - 2:16:40 PM; Roach opposed SB 661, arguing it mandates low reserves (12-16%) like SchoolCare and NHIT, which followed Secretary agreements but failed due to year-to-year solvency focus. Health Trust, the largest non-assessable pool since before 1987, uses 5-year solvency with 34-38% national average reserves for stability, rebuilding prospectively via rates (no surprises). During COVID, reserves dropped to 5% but assets were $94M; they paid all claims without assessments, unlike others. The bill would outlaw their model, require insufficient 4% member reserves (vs. 5-12% assessments seen), and ignore multi-year planning. Roach cited actuaries (Milliman) targeting 22%, noting volatility from trends like 14-20% increases; they rebuilt slower than planned but retained members with 5.3% capital charges. National standards support higher reserves for public sector stability.
SB661: Jean Heric, General Counsel, Health Trust Oppose01:55:25.679 - 2:40:11 PM; Heric supported Roach, clarifying bill's definitions limit reserves to one-year actuarial needs, below 16-20% and forcing year-to-year solvency like failed pools. SchoolCare and NHIT operated under such agreements with low reserves, leading to issues. Health Trust's multi-year model ensures stability; the bill's approach would hinder adequate funding. She noted ongoing rebuild to 22% target, emphasizing transparency and actuarial evaluations for expected/unforeseen losses over longer horizons.
SB661: Jennifer Burke, SchoolCare Director of Finance Information Only02:00:22.159 - 2:45:08 PM; Jennifer Burke introduced herself and her background in school districts and SchoolCare. She expressed appreciation for Senator Carson's work on SB661 to strengthen oversight, transparency, and fiscal stability in pooled risk management programs. She noted that the bill clarifies fiduciary responsibilities, strengthens standards, improves transparency, and provides intervention tools. SchoolCare is neutral on the bill as introduced but recommends incorporating a prior amendment from SB297 that addresses technical issues for health coverage pools by establishing a limited restricted fund capped at 4% of prior year contributions to address deficiencies before assessments. This promotes predictability without eliminating assessments or limiting reserves or authority. She also mentioned analyzing the suggestion from the Secretary of State's office.
SB661: Kathy Stacy, President, New Hampshire Association of Counties Oppose02:04:15.679 - 2:49:01 PM; Kathy Stacy, representing counties with varied insurance arrangements including Health Trust, NHIT (now Anthem), self-insured, and Anthem directly, stated that the association opposes SB661. She believes the bill, along with others, intends to eliminate non-assessable risk pool programs. She argued that the one-year reserve contingency levels in the bill are inadequate given rising insurance claims due to high medical costs, and higher reserves are needed to meet those costs. She chose not to delve into specifics about reserves or other entities due to committee rules.
SB661: Sarah Tucker, Town Administrator, Town of Greenland Support02:06:10.000 - 2:50:56 PM; Sarah Tucker testified on behalf of the Town of Greenland, a small town of 4,200 residents using Health Trust after a failed switch to a private insurer in 2024 that led to high costs and employee dissatisfaction. They petitioned to return to Health Trust within six months. She emphasized New Hampshire's unique landscape of small towns that rely on risk pools for stable, dependable coverage to retain and recruit employees without volatility. Assessments would be devastating for tight budgets, and holding 4% reserves is challenging but necessary for guarantees against sudden bills. She advocated for non-assessable pools as the only viable option for small towns, suggesting a balance in reserve requirements between 20% and 34% to protect municipalities while maintaining oversight.
SB661: Jennifer Leonard, HR Manager, Manchester Housing and Redevelopment Authority Oppose02:12:48.880 - 2:57:34 PM; Jennifer Leonard highlighted that Manchester Housing, the largest public housing agency in Northern New England and a long-term Health Trust member, depends on non-assessable risk pools for stable rates amid volatile healthcare markets. Health Trust has never issued surprise assessments due to adequate reserves. Tight budgets cannot handle sudden assessments like those from other pools last year. She urged voting no on SB661, noting that only New Hampshire is discussing mandating insufficient reserves or outlawing non-assessable pools.
SB661: Margaret Burns, Executive Director, New Hampshire Municipal Association Oppose02:15:11.040 - 2:59:57 PM; Margaret Burns, representing 234 cities and towns plus associates, stated NHMA opposes SB661 for three reasons: it allows only assessable pools, creating unpredictability and costs in budgeting; it mandates local capital reserve funds for assessments, which may not suffice and require town meeting approval; and it lacks provisions from SB297 for regulator intervention on audits. The bill codifies assessable pools and low reserves, likely making assessments routine. She advocated for choice in pool types, clarified assessment surprises regardless of pool type, and noted ongoing legal issues. In response to questions, she explained rate-setting relies on actuaries amid volatile claims and that competitive pressures do not compromise accuracy.
SB661: Chairman Gray and Committee Members Information Only02:25:55.359 - 3:10:41 PM; The public hearing closed, and the committee entered a brief executive session to discuss SB661 without taking action on other bills. Discussion included reviewing Senator Carson's prior amendment for potential inclusion, such as audit provisions, reserve percentages, supermajority approvals for higher reserves beyond 4%, and surplus return issues. Senators noted the need for cooperation among risk pools, the Senate, and House to refine the bill, acknowledging past issues with current language and a differing House perspective. They considered a faster rebuild to 12% reserves (one or two years vs. five) to reduce assessment risks, but testimony indicated even 12% failed in past cases like SchoolCare. Timing of an administrative hearing on assessments was unknown, and further inquiry with the Secretary of State was suggested.
SB661: Chairman Gray Information Only02:29:10.720 - 3:13:56 PM; The chairman discusses potential modifications to the risk management bill, including spreading repayments over a year or two to create a contingency fund, returning interest earned to municipalities, and incorporating elements from last year's bill into the 4% provision. He notes that giving risk pools the ability to hold more than 4% with a supermajority vote could be a solution. He mentions willingness to go up to 34% and indicates further discussion as they go through the bill. He asks if anyone else has comments before coming out of executive session, notes they have more bills to handle, and proceeds to adjourn.

Gray, James(Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Innis, Daniel(V Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Carson, Sharon(R)[B]2025
Watters, David(D)[D-]2025	Birdsell, Regina(R)[B-]2025	Lang, Timothy(R)[B-]2025
Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[F]2025	Pearl, Howard (R)[B]2025