Committee Summary for Senate Finance (06/03/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1 2638s 00:04:30.960 - 12:33:31 PM	Executive Session	making appropriations for the expenses of certain departments of the state for fiscal years ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027.	Weyler, Kenneth(R)[B+]2024

HB1 2638s: Michael Keane, Legislative Budget Assistant Information Only00:04:30.960 - 12:33:31 PM; Michael Keane, the legislative budget assistant, presented the financial situation and amendments related to House Bill one. He discussed a surplus statement and two amendments, 2638s and 2637s, related to House Bills one and two respectively. He explained that there is a deficit of $93.4 million in 2025, necessitating a draw from the rainy day fund. He also highlighted differences in budget estimates between the Senate, House, and the Governor, including a variance due to settlements and appropriations. Keane noted that the Senate's proposal would leave a balance of about $19 million in the education trust fund at the end of the biennium, compared to zero in the House plan and $13.9 million in the Governor's plan.
HB1 2638s: Senator Wayne Information Only00:07:48.560 - 12:36:49 PM; Senator Wayne sought clarification on the financial figures presented, confirming that the $93 million deficit would result in roughly $199 million in surplus at the end of 2025, which would then increase the rainy day fund to $249 million by the end of the biennium.
HB1 2638s: Senator Rosmo Information Only00:08:55.959 - 12:37:56 PM; Senator Rosmo inquired about the current balance of the rainy day fund, which was confirmed to be $292.5 million.
HB1 2638s: Senator Ro Oppose00:09:44.320 - 12:38:45 PM; Senator Ro expressed concerns about the budget proposed in House Bills one and two. He argued that despite improvements made by the Senate, the budget does not adequately address key issues like housing costs, potentially raises property taxes, and imposes burdens on vulnerable populations through increased health care costs and cuts to services. He specifically criticized the budget for failing to invest in new money for housing, cutting state support to municipalities, and increasing costs for low-income individuals through higher co-pays and the elimination of the prescription drug affordability board.
HB1 2638s: Senator Perus Wilin Oppose00:12:03.360 - 12:41:04 PM; Senator Perus Wilin expressed opposition to HB1 and HB2, citing concerns over the budget's impact on school vouchers, neighborhood schools, healthcare access, and small business environments. He criticized the increase in spending on school vouchers, which he believes benefits wealthier families at the expense of public education. He also highlighted the potential negative effects of work requirements on Medicaid, noting increased opioid deaths and uncompensated care costs. Additionally, he mentioned harmful DEI language in the budget that could negatively affect the business environment and lead to legal challenges, deeming the budget fiscally irresponsible for not addressing key priorities like the cost of living, healthcare access, and education.
HB1 2638s: Senator Lang Information Only00:14:50.240 - 12:43:51 PM; Senator Lang provided an overview of the budget, acknowledging both negative and positive aspects. He praised efforts in housing development and the restoration of Medicaid cuts. However, he expressed disappointment in the funding for higher education, emphasizing the need to view it as an investment rather than an expense. He also defended the education freedom accounts, citing a study from Ohio that suggests these programs benefit marginalized groups, and thanked the committee for their hard work.
HB1 2638s: Senator Line Support00:16:41.519 - 12:45:42 PM; Senator Line expressed support for the budget, highlighting positive aspects such as increased revenue sharing for towns, investments in ground and wastewater, higher education, and education services despite declining enrollments. He also praised the budget's policies on housing development and AOT permits, stating that these would benefit Granite Staters. He concluded by affirming his support for the budget.
HB1 2638s: Senator Bzel Support00:18:33.919 - 12:47:34 PM; Senator Bzel expressed support for the budget, despite some reservations about the group two piece. He highlighted the full funding of the developmentally disabled waitlist, the restoration of the suicide hotline, and significant investments in the educational trust fund. He acknowledged the budget's difficult journey but emphasized the importance of passing it for the benefit of the disabled community, Medicaid providers, and citizens.
HB1 2638s: Senator B Support00:19:50.559 - 12:48:51 PM; Senator B expressed support for the budget, focusing on positive aspects such as the solid waste management process, reasonable compromise on inspections, and efforts in long-term care services. He also mentioned the Medicaid and disability services, acknowledging the committee's work on group two as a necessary path forward despite not being ideal. He thanked the leadership and committee for their efforts.
HB1 2638s: Senator Carson Support00:21:43.679 - 12:50:44 PM; Senator Carson expressed appreciation for the committee's work and the budget, highlighting the collaborative effort despite disagreements. He thanked the staff and colleagues for their help and patience, especially Mr. Kane and former Representative Umbberger. He praised the committee secretary, Ms. Martone, and the committee chair for their roles in managing the process. He also discussed the benefits of vouchers, arguing that they could save local taxes and provide better educational choices for families, citing his personal experience and a study from Rochester.
HB1 2638s: Senator Perkins Coken Oppose00:28:19.640 - 12:57:20 PM; Senator Perkins Coken expressed opposition to the budget, emphasizing that it does not address the priorities of everyday Granite Staters, such as housing, childcare, healthcare, and energy costs. He noted the interconnectedness of these issues, such as how housing availability affects school enrollment and workforce attraction. He acknowledged the hard work put into the budget but felt it did not meet the needs of the state's residents.
HB1 2638s: Senator Kaufman Support00:30:12.880 - 12:59:13 PM; Senator Kaufman supported the budget, emphasizing the need to adjust from previous federal funding to living within New Hampshire's means. He highlighted the committee's responsiveness to public input and the budget's focus on necessary areas. He acknowledged the budget's limitations but viewed it as a step towards prosperity, emphasizing the importance of moving forward and not letting the government create more problems.
HB1 2638s: Senator Oswell Information Only00:34:57.800 - 1:03:58 PM; Senator Oswell discussed potential threats to New Hampshire's prosperity, including the YDC cases, education funding lawsuits, potential Medicaid cuts, and SNAP cost increases due to high error rates. He expressed concerns about the state's ability to handle these issues and the impact on future budgets, indicating a need to start planning for these challenges.

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