Committee Summary for Senate Finance (02/18/2025)

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

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB59 00:12:32.959 - 12:41:34 PM	Executive Session	establishing a recruitment incentive program within the community college system for public safety communicators and dispatchers and making an appropriation therefor.	Watters, David(D)[CT]2024
SB63 00:16:30.800 - 12:45:32 PM	Executive Session	relative to funding for the division of travel and tourism.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB71 0432s 00:21:52.880 - 12:50:54 PM	Executive Session	relative to cooperation with federal immigration authorities.	Gannon, Bill(R)[C+]2024
SB106 00:31:11.760 - 1:00:13 PM	Executive Session	relative to the participation of customer generators in net energy metering.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB158 00:33:51.360 - 1:02:53 PM	Executive Session	raising the funding cap for the New Hampshire community development finance authority.	Innis, Daniel(R)[C+]2024
SB196 00:36:10.079 - 1:05:12 PM	Executive Session	relative to the exemption from competitive bidding requirements for certain state agency projects.	Watters, David(D)[CT]2024
SB238 0371s 00:37:23.520 - 1:06:25 PM	Executive Session	extending funding for the adverse childhood experiences prevention and treatment pilot program.	Long, Pat(D)
SB241 00:39:50.520 - 1:08:52 PM	Executive Session	relative to construction of a public pier on Hampton Beach and making an appropriation therefor.	Avard, Kevin(R)[C+]2024
SB242 00:41:32.319 - 1:10:34 PM	Executive Session	relative to the cost of living adjustments for certain group II retirees in the New Hampshire retirement system.	Gannon, Bill(R)[C+]2024

SB59: Chair Information Only00:12:32.959 - 12:41:34 PM; The chair called the committee to order and moved to go into executive session. The motion was seconded and passed, and the committee began discussing bills in numerical order, starting with SB59. The chair mentioned the intention to pass and table SB59.
SB59: Senator Information Only00:13:20.000 - 12:42:22 PM; A senator moved to pass SB59, and it was seconded. The committee agreed to pass and table the bill. Senator Waters was assigned to take out the bill and write the verbage for it.
SB63: Senator Information Only00:16:30.800 - 12:45:32 PM; The committee discussed SB63, which proposes creating a mobile driver's license. The bill is set to be passed and tabled. There was a discussion about potential revenue from the bill, with estimates based on a fee of $10 per license. Concerns were raised about privacy, with suggestions to work on privacy amendments before funding.
SB71 0432s: Senator Information Only00:21:52.880 - 12:50:54 PM; The committee discussed SB71, which includes an amendment to allow counties to hold individuals for 48 hours after the dropping of charges, excluding weekends and holidays. Concerns were raised about federal actions potentially requiring county facilities to house immigrants, which could increase county budgets. The amendment was moved and seconded, and it passed.
SB71 0432s: Senator Information Only00:22:46.360 - 12:51:48 PM; A senator expressed concerns about the potential federal action of deputizing sheriffs and requiring county facilities to house immigrants, which could lead to increased costs for counties. The senator sought clarification on whether counties would be obligated to provide facilities under federal law.
SB71 0432s: Kate Horan, New Hampshire Association of Counties Information Only00:24:18.559 - 12:53:20 PM; Kate Horan explained that under current statute, counties can hold individuals for state charges or under contracts with ICE. The amendment would allow counties to hold individuals for 48 hours to give ICE the opportunity to pick them up, with the option for counties to get reimbursed for costs.
SB71 0432s: Senator Information Only00:26:26.399 - 12:55:28 PM; The senator expressed concerns about the potential federal action and sought clarification on whether counties would be obligated to provide facilities under federal law. It was clarified that any obligation would require an agreement under state statute.
SB71 0432s: Senator Information Only00:27:12.320 - 12:56:14 PM; A senator questioned the exclusion of Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from the 48-hour holding period, arguing it could burden counties and individuals. The explanation was provided that this exclusion extends the holding period to ensure ICE has time to act.
SB71 0432s: Senator Information Only00:29:31.039 - 12:58:33 PM; A senator, with a background in law enforcement, explained that it's not uncommon for local law enforcement to be deputized by federal agencies. The senator emphasized that the key part of the bill is to allow counties to enter agreements with ICE to be reimbursed for costs.
SB106: Senator Information Only00:31:11.760 - 1:00:13 PM; The committee discussed SB106, which is set to be passed. A senator mentioned plans to bring a floor amendment to clarify that the 100% consumption requirement should be annualized, not monthly, due to seasonal variations in hydroelectric production.
SB158: Senator Information Only00:33:51.360 - 1:02:53 PM; The committee discussed SB158, which proposes raising the funding cap for the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority. The bill was set to be passed despite concerns about an indeterminate expenditure of $2 million and a decrease in revenue of $3.7 million. Senator Inis agreed to take out the bill.
SB196: Senator Information Only00:36:10.079 - 1:05:12 PM; The committee discussed SB196, which involves raising the cap on exemptions from competitive bidding requirements for certain agencies. The bill was passed and put on consent, with Senator Pearl yielding to Senator Waters to take it out.
SB238 0371s: Senator Information Only00:37:23.520 - 1:06:25 PM; The committee discussed SB238, which includes an amendment related to Medicaid rate increases. Concerns were raised about the lack of appropriations for the rate increases, and it was clarified that the bill is set to be passed and tabled. The amendment and the bill as amended were passed.
SB241: Senator Information Only00:39:50.520 - 1:08:52 PM; The committee discussed SB241, which involves establishing a fund for New Hampshire parks. The senator mentioned plans to bring an amendment to establish the fund with $1 in state funding, allow donations, and sunset the fund after 10 years if insufficient funds are raised. The bill is set to be passed.
SB242: Senator Information Only00:41:32.319 - 1:10:34 PM; The committee discussed SB242, which involves cost of living adjustments. There was concern about the financial implications and the need to consider the budget. The bill is set to be passed and tabled, with further discussion expected when budget numbers are available. Senator Pearl was assigned to take out the bill.