Committee Summary for Senate Finance (05/20/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
Unclear 00:17:46.320 - 12:46:32 PM	Executive Session	Unclear
HB2 00:42:20.480 - 1:11:06 PM	Executive Session	relative to state fees, funds, revenues, and expenditures.	Weyler, Kenneth(R)[B+]2024

Unclear: Senate Finance Committee Chair Information Only00:17:46.320 - 12:46:32 PM; The chair called the Senate Finance Committee meeting to order and moved to go into executive session, which was seconded and approved. The session began discussing items number one A, B, and C, which were put on hold due to ongoing discussions with the governor.
Unclear: Executive Director of the Judicial Council Information Only00:18:50.799 - 12:47:36 PM; The executive director clarified the use of contractors in the public defender program, stating that contractors would only be used for conflict of interest cases if the proposed funding was approved. This would allow the public defender program to fully open to courts without relying on contractors for capacity issues.
Unclear: Senator Bursell Information Only00:20:02.400 - 12:48:48 PM; Senator Bursell confirmed that contractors would still be used for conflict of interest cases but emphasized that the goal would be to minimize their use if the funding was restored, thereby reducing reliance on contract attorneys and assigned counsel.
Unclear: Senator Roseman Information Only00:20:59.120 - 12:49:45 PM; Senator Roseman inquired about the judicial council's ability to request additional funding from the fiscal committee to cover the costs of contract and assigned counsel, confirming that such requests could be made.
Unclear: Senator (Unspecified) Information Only00:22:03.360 - 12:50:49 PM; The senator discussed an amendment related to funding and its impact on the availability of attorneys, suggesting that without the amendment, the program might not be able to rely on certain attorneys.
Unclear: Aaron Kan, General Counsel for the Court System Information Only00:23:27.280 - 12:52:13 PM; Aaron Kan addressed concerns about the closure of the Hooksett court, explaining that the decision was part of an effort to meet a 4% efficiency budget. He discussed the geographical accessibility of the circuit court and the impact of closing the Hooksett and Goffstown locations. He also mentioned the cost of processing cases and the potential for increased local burdens due to the closures.
Unclear: Senator (Unspecified) Oppose00:24:37.279 - 12:53:23 PM; The senator expressed opposition to the closure of the Hooksett facility, highlighting the increased costs and coverage issues it would impose on local police departments. The senator requested cost analyses for not closing the Hooksett and Goffstown facilities.
Unclear: Aaron Kan, General Counsel for the Court System Information Only00:25:37.919 - 12:54:23 PM; Aaron Kan agreed to provide the requested cost analyses for the Hooksett and Goffstown facilities and mentioned the court system's fees contributing $5.4 million over the biennium.
Unclear: Senator Rosenol Information Only00:26:36.559 - 12:55:22 PM; Senator Rosenol inquired about the status of the Milford circuit court, learning that it was still operational and that the decision to keep it open was based on various cost factors.
Unclear: Senator (Unspecified) Information Only00:28:28.000 - 12:57:14 PM; The senator proposed a motion to adjust funding for item 8B from $400,000 to $200,000 to allow more time to assess the consequences of the funding decision.
Unclear: Senator (Unspecified) Information Only00:29:14.320 - 12:58:00 PM; The senator confirmed the adjustment of funding for item 8B to $100,000 each, which was approved.
Unclear: Senator (Unspecified) Information Only00:29:14.320 - 12:58:00 PM; The senator mentioned ongoing discussions about the Youth Development Center (YDC) claims, including funding, administrator appointment, and property sale considerations.
Unclear: Senator (Unspecified) Information Only00:30:03.360 - 12:58:49 PM; The senator discusses the need for language adjustments to fold in certain budget allocations in the first year, with potential structural changes to the legislation being discussed with the governor's office. The House has appropriated $10 million per year, but due to structured settlement claims, a minimum of $26 million over the biennium is needed to pay already settled claims, with additional funds required for any new claims.
Unclear: Jen Foley, General Counsel, YDC Claims Administration Information Only00:31:03.120 - 12:59:49 PM; Jen Foley provides detailed financial information about the fund, including $130 million spent out of the fund by March 31st, with $123 million to claimants and $7 million on administrative fees. She confirms a commitment of $9 million over the next two years for claims settled by March 31st and discusses the administrative costs. She clarifies the payout structures and the need to review specific tables in the audit report for accurate figures.
Unclear: Senator (Unspecified) Information Only00:35:13.560 - 1:03:59 PM; The senator continues to discuss the financial commitments, referencing specific pages and tables from an audit report. They question the total obligation, considering the buffer the AG wants to keep in the fund, suggesting a total of $156 million when including all costs and the buffer.
Unclear: Jen Foley, General Counsel, YDC Claims Administration Information Only00:36:12.720 - 1:04:58 PM; Jen Foley responds to the senator's query about the total obligation, stating she needs to consult with the audit division for precise figures. She also discusses the nature of pending claims, explaining that they include claims at various stages of resolution and payment.
Unclear: Senator (Unspecified) Information Only00:38:34.160 - 1:07:20 PM; The senator moves to discuss items related to the Department of Agriculture and Foods, proposing motions and discussing the House's intention to sweep 5% of dedicated funds, which they believe is not allowable or right. They mention ongoing discussions about alternative administrative fees and potential back-of-the-budget cuts.
HB2: Senator (Unspecified) Information Only00:42:20.480 - 1:11:06 PM; The senator discussed the decision to put the Human Rights Commission on hold due to ongoing amendments and an audit. They noted that further work is required on this topic.
HB2: Senator (Unspecified) Information Only00:43:11.800 - 1:11:57 PM; The senator discussed an amendment related to House Bill 2, which involves a fee increase for license plate production from $4 to $6 per plate. This change aims to align with House Bill 25's investment in license plate production equipment and would shift production from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Safety.
HB2: Senator (Unspecified) Information Only00:45:04.040 - 1:13:50 PM; The senator mentioned several items being on hold due to a 5% reduction and ongoing changes related to highway fund, general funds, and total revenues. They also discussed approving various items on different pages of the budget document.
HB2: Senator (Unspecified) Information Only00:47:12.400 - 1:15:58 PM; The senator discussed holding an item related to the northern border due to ongoing considerations and approved other items with motions and seconds from Senators Lang, Pearl, and others. They also discussed a mysterious $3 million in the 911 fund and adjustments to funding and language.
HB2: Senator (Unspecified) Information Only00:48:00.800 - 1:16:46 PM; The senator moved to approve an item related to mobile driver's licenses, explaining that the Department of Motor Vehicles supports the law change to enable the program with future fiscal adjustments as necessary.
HB2: Senator (Unspecified) Information Only00:49:24.400 - 1:18:10 PM; The senator discussed holding an amendment and ensuring it does not affect existing awards, promising to circulate the amendment to the committee for review. They also approved moving a position and discussed an item related to the Employee Labor Relations Board.
HB2: Senator (Unspecified) Information Only00:51:40.800 - 1:20:26 PM; The senator expressed concern about a budget increase for the Department of Transportation (DOT) and requested more detailed numbers to understand the increase in light of significant personnel reductions. The DOT Commissioner assured that numbers would be trued up before the final budget vote.
HB2: Senator (Unspecified) Information Only00:52:53.359 - 1:21:39 PM; The senator discussed the schedule for future meetings, noting that items on hold would be reviewed on Thursday to ensure progress is being made. They also mentioned the need to adjust the meeting schedule due to caucuses and other commitments.

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