Committee Summary for Senate Ways and Means (04/02/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB247 06258 00:02:29.120 - 8:31:15 AM	Public Hearing	authorizing municipalities to hold a referendum on whether to allow historic horse racing.	Ohm, Bill(R)[B]2018
HB328 00:16:27.440 - 8:45:13 AM	Public Hearing	establishing a charitable gaming oversight commission.	Ames, Dick(D)[CT]2024
HB737 00:31:30.720 - 9:00:16 AM	Public Hearing	creating local options for games of chance.	Boyd, Bill(R)[B]2024
HB737 1468 00:42:34.880 - 9:11:20 AM	Executive Session	creating local options for games of chance.	Boyd, Bill(R)[B]2024
HB451 00:49:58.040 - 9:18:44 AM	Public Hearing	establishing the paint product stewardship program.	Ebel, Karen(D)[CT]2024

HB247 06258: Representative, prime sponsor of HB247 Support00:02:29.120 - 8:31:15 AM; The prime sponsor introduced House Bill 247, which aims to authorize municipalities to hold a referendum on whether to allow historic horse racing. The bill uses language from the Kino RSA, with modifications to apply to historic horse racing. It exempts existing HHR licenses until January 1, 2026, and the amendment extends this exemption to entities eligible for such licenses. The sponsor supports an amendment to include video lottery terminals (VLTs) and prefers the bill to be effective on passage to allow cities to place the question on their ballot in the upcoming fall.
HB247 06258: Representative Timothy Oregon from Straford County District 10, Durham Information Only00:05:59.600 - 8:34:45 AM; Representative Oregon from Durham, which currently does not have HHR machines, discussed the bill. He believes a referendum in Durham would likely fail. He highlighted that HHR machines have little to do with actual horse racing and are essentially slot machines. He suggested that VLTs might be a better mechanism for generating random numbers for slot machines. He supports an amendment to include all types of slot machines in the bill, believing it would improve the legislation.
HB247 06258: Dr. Warner Support00:08:54.240 - 8:37:40 AM; Dr. Warner supports the bill, appreciating the option it gives to local towns and cities to decide on HHR machines. He agrees with broadening the bill to include other types of machines. He prefers an opt-in provision over an opt-out, believing it's more natural for towns to be asked first before allowing such operations.
HB247 06258: Charlie McIntyre, Lottery Commission Information Only00:11:04.640 - 8:39:50 AM; Charlie McIntyre from the Lottery Commission stated that the bill's impact on existing revenue estimates would be minimal until 2031 due to a moratorium on new licenses. He noted that the market might be saturated by the time the moratorium expires. He also discussed the historical context of opt-in provisions for Kino, mentioning that it followed the tradition set by the 1963 lottery law.
HB328: Representative Dick Ames, prime sponsor of HB328 from Jeffrey and Dublin in Cheshire District 13 Support00:16:27.440 - 8:45:13 AM; Representative Ames introduced House Bill 328, describing it as a bipartisan effort resulting from the work of the commission on gambling. The bill touches on various gambling enterprises in New Hampshire but does not take a definitive position on key issues. It aims to address the broader context of gaming in the state.
HB328: Representative Janigian and others Information Only00:17:54.960 - 8:46:40 AM; Representative Janigian and others, along with the director of the lottery, discussed their active involvement during the summer, working with a consultant to identify various issues within the gaming industry. They concluded that these issues could not be fully addressed within the time frame of the commission but emphasized the need for an ongoing process and oversight system. The testimony highlighted the establishment of a 10-year commission that would continue to address ongoing issues such as problem gaming and other areas needing more thorough examination. The language of the bill was noted as slightly outdated, lacking references to video lottery terminals (VLTs), which should be included in future amendments.
HB328: Senator Rose Information Only00:19:58.080 - 8:48:44 AM; Senator Rose raised a technical question regarding the composition of the commission, specifically the representation from the House Ways and Means Committee. He suggested that the bill should specify that at least one of the five House members should be from the Ways and Means Committee, as they are the policy experts on this topic. The suggestion was considered reasonable by the speaker.
HB328: Representative Bill, Hillsborough 10, City of Nashua Support00:22:21.240 - 8:51:07 AM; Representative Bill from Nashua expressed support for the bill and the testimony of the prime sponsor, Representative Ames. He also supported potential amendments suggested by the Senate to clarify the membership of the commission. In response to a question about allowing the commission to self-direct its investigations, he agreed that such a provision would be an excellent addition to the bill.
HB328: Dr. Deborah Warner, Littleton Support00:24:41.279 - 8:53:27 AM; Dr. Deborah Warner from Littleton supported the establishment of a permanent oversight commission for the gaming industry. She highlighted the rapid growth and changes in the industry, including new investors and developments at existing casinos. Dr. Warner emphasized the importance of the state remaining aware and responsive to the industry's complexities. She suggested that including voting capability for non-industry affiliated public members could enhance the commission's effectiveness, particularly in addressing issues like problem gambling and charity grants.
HB328: Representative Ames Information Only00:27:00.960 - 8:55:46 AM; Representative Ames responded to a question regarding the timing of the commission's report submission. He acknowledged the concern that the current November 30th deadline would preclude House members from filing bills based on the commission's findings. He supported changing the date to September 1st to allow sufficient time for House members to act on the commission's recommendations.
HB328: Alicia Preston, New Hampshire Charitable Gaming Operators Association Support00:29:06.080 - 8:57:52 AM; Alicia Preston from the New Hampshire Charitable Gaming Operators Association expressed support for the bill, noting the industry's long history of working with the legislature. She emphasized the importance of ongoing engagement and oversight and looked forward to continuing to work with the committee.
HB328: Charlie, Lottery Director Information Only00:30:17.039 - 8:59:03 AM; Charlie, the Lottery Director, did not take a position on the bill but expressed comfort with additional oversight. He raised a concern about the language on page two, line one of the bill, which could imply that the commission has operational control over the lottery and gaming laws. He suggested rewording to clarify that the commission's role is to review, not execute, these laws.
HB737: Representative Stringham Support00:31:30.720 - 9:00:16 AM; Representative Stringham introduced House Bill 737, emphasizing that it is a local option bill, not a gambling bill. The bill aims to allow local control over decisions to permit local casinos, similar to existing local options for Keno. The bill includes protections for existing casino operators and allows for an exit vote if a casino has been abandoned or never opened after a certain period. The casino lobby supported the local option concept and helped develop the bill's language.
HB737: Senator Fenton Information Only00:34:49.918 - 9:03:35 AM; Senator Fenton asked about the current inability of municipalities to enforce no-casino ordinances and the expansion of gaming activities in charitable gaming establishments. Representative Stringham confirmed that there is no current opt-out for these establishments and discussed how the bill addresses this issue by allowing new gaming facilities to be subject to local votes.
HB737: Dr. Debbie Warner, Littleton Support00:37:19.920 - 9:06:05 AM; Dr. Debbie Warner from Littleton shared the local context that led to the creation of the bill, including a surprise announcement of a casino in Littleton and the community's overwhelming opposition. She explained the process of trying to create a local ordinance and the realization that it was ineffective due to the Dylan Rule. Dr. Warner detailed the collaborative effort with the casino lobby to develop the bill, which targets the games of chance employer license to allow local control over new casino developments. She emphasized the bill's protections for existing and pending casinos and its support for local control, despite Littleton's situation.
HB737: Valerie King, Investigations and Compliance Division Information Only00:41:17.040 - 9:10:03 AM; Valerie King clarified that RSA 287D, the local option for games of chance, does not include bingo, which is regulated under RSA 287E. She also discussed the phrasing of 'brick and mortar' on line 21 of page one of the bill, suggesting it might be replaced with more accessible language like 'facilities' to better convey the intent to the public. This language was borrowed from the Keno legislation, and she offered to draft alternative language for the committee.
HB737 1468: Committee Chair Information Only00:42:34.880 - 9:11:20 AM; The committee chair announced the closure of the public hearing on HB737 and moved to enter an executive session to discuss a non-germane amendment, number 1468, proposed by Director McIntyre. This amendment deals with licensing fees for games of chance, lottery, and general licensing and will be discussed in two weeks.
HB737 1468: Committee Chair Information Only00:44:31.520 - 9:13:17 AM; The chair outlined plans for a hearing on revenue projections on April 30th, where only major numbers personnel from various departments would be invited to testify, and others would submit letters. The departments involved include the Department of Revenue Administration (DRRA), the Lottery, and the Insurance Department. Additionally, private sector representatives from the realtors association and the hospitality industry would be invited to discuss housing and tourism impacts on revenue.
HB737 1468: Committee Member Information Only00:46:23.119 - 9:15:09 AM; A committee member suggested inviting the state treasurer to discuss the overperformance of interest on state cash reserves and its expected downward trend. They also noted a decline in liquor sales due to changing consumption habits among younger generations, suggesting that this might impact revenue projections.
HB737 1468: Committee Chair Information Only00:47:29.839 - 9:16:15 AM; The chair mentioned a meeting with the governor to discuss gaming provisions in HB2, passed by the House, and planned a committee discussion on these provisions on either April 30th or two weeks later on May 7th, to prepare recommendations for the finance committee.
HB451: Karen Eel, Marramac District 7 Support00:49:58.040 - 9:18:44 AM; Karen Eel, representing Marramac District 7 and chair of the New Hampshire Solid Waste Industry Stakeholder Group, introduced HB451, which passed unanimously in the House. The bill proposes a postconsumer paint stewardship program, supported by a broad coalition including businesses, environmental groups, and municipalities. This program allows consumers to return leftover paint to participating retailers for recycling, which also includes paint collected during household hazardous waste days. The program aims to reduce landfill use, support state solid waste management goals, and save taxpayer money by recycling paint instead of disposing of it. Eel highlighted the program's success in other states and its voluntary nature for retailers, with the costs being covered by a fee included in the paint price.
HB451: Representative from the American Coatings Association Information Only00:57:42.720 - 9:26:28 AM; The representative explained the mechanics of the paint stewardship program, including the roles of manufacturers, the stewardship organization (Paint Care), retailers, and consumers. Manufacturers fund the program through an assessment on paint sold, which is managed by Paint Care. Retailers participate voluntarily, and consumers can return any paint for recycling without tracking where it was originally purchased. The program aims to ease the burden on individuals dealing with leftover paint and supports recycling efforts across the state.
HB451: Representative Judy Aaron, Sullivan County District 4 (towns of Alstead, Acworth, Langdon, Lempster, and Washington), Chair of Environment and Agriculture Committee Support01:11:04.080 - 9:39:50 AM; Representative Aaron supports HB451, emphasizing its importance in diverting paint from landfills. She explains the current practice of drying paint with kitty litter and disposing it in trash, which increases landfill leachate and costs for municipalities. She highlights the environmental and consumer benefits of the bill, noting its bipartisan support in the House and the committee's work on the financial aspects of the bill.
HB451: Brody Deayes, New Hampshire Municipal Association Support01:21:46.960 - 9:50:32 AM; Brody Deayes supports the bill, noting the benefits to towns from having collection sites for paint and other hazardous waste. He mentions that increased disposal costs can be managed by municipalities through fees, as seen in Maine. He also highlights the environmental benefits and mentions the dedication of Sarah Silk, who was a driving force behind the bill and recently passed away, with a building named after her in Wolfboro.
HB451: Heidi McAuliffe, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, American Coatings Association Support01:23:54.480 - 9:52:40 AM; Heidi McAuliffe supports the bill, discussing the Paint Care stewardship program developed by the paint industry. She explains how the program operates in other states, collecting and recycling paint, and how it would work in New Hampshire, including the fee structure and the benefits to consumers, municipalities, and contractors. She also addresses the handling of legacy paint and the program's funding and oversight.
HB451: Michael Norc, Solid Waste Management Bureau, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Information Only01:37:07.280 - 10:05:53 AM; Michael Norc, representing the Solid Waste Management Bureau at the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, along with Todd Piskovitz from the Hazardous Waste Management Bureau, clarified that they are not taking an official position on HB451. They have worked with the bill's sponsor and the American Coatings Association on technical aspects. They are available to answer questions from the committee, particularly regarding the fiscal note and the potential hiring of a part-time employee. Norc explained that they do not anticipate hiring someone specifically for this program but will set up an accounting code to track time spent on the program, ensuring that costs are reimbursed by Paint Care. He also discussed the potential savings for municipalities, noting that the estimated $150,000 annual savings might be low due to many municipalities not participating in the grant program. He highlighted the ongoing costs of the household hazardous waste grant program and the lack of data on non-hazardous waste paint disposal costs.
HB451: Representative Evil Support01:42:14.400 - 10:11:00 AM; Representative Evil emphasized the importance of ensuring no financial burden on the state for the program outlined in HB451. She pointed out the administrative reimbursement provision in the bill, which tightly controls the reimbursement situation to ensure costs are covered by the manufacturers. She also discussed a conversation with Director Whimset, who believed the program could be managed with existing staff, with costs covered by the manufacturers. She highlighted provisions in the bill that prevent additional charges at paint collection sites and ensure the assessment is included in the cost of the paint, not affecting the customer experience.
HB451: Representative Old Habits Support01:43:20.239 - 10:12:06 AM; Representative Old Habits supported the idea of including the assessment in the sticker price to clarify the cost to consumers. He discussed the user fee concept, emphasizing that it's paid by the user and not spread across all taxpayers, which he described as a 'Yankee approach' to managing the disposal of paint.
HB451: Unnamed Legislator Information Only01:45:51.119 - 10:14:37 AM; An unnamed legislator asked about mechanisms in the bill to ensure the assessment added to the paint container's cost does not exceed the amount needed to cover the department's costs. Representative Evil responded that there are audit provisions in the bill to control this tightly, and the program is designed to be self-funded, not to generate profit. She also mentioned the involvement of DEES in administering the program and the requirement for an annual report to monitor costs.
HB451: Senator Rosenald Information Only01:48:04.000 - 10:16:50 AM; Senator Rosenald moved to go into executive session after the public hearing on HB451, which was seconded by Senator Sullivan.
HB451: Senator Sullivan Oppose01:48:04.000 - 10:16:50 AM; Senator Sullivan expressed concerns about the bill, likening it to a 'paint tax' and worrying about the precedent it sets for adding consumer fees to products. He questioned why manufacturers couldn't handle the disposal costs themselves and highlighted the potential slippery slope of such fees.
HB451: Unnamed Legislator Support01:52:42.480 - 10:21:28 AM; An unnamed legislator supported the bill, arguing that it shifts the burden of hazardous waste disposal from general taxpayers to those who use the paint, thereby solving the problem at its source. They discussed the potential reduction in property taxes due to the program and the fairness of having users pay for their waste disposal.
HB451: Unnamed Legislator Oppose01:53:40.960 - 10:22:26 AM; Another unnamed legislator argued against the bill, stating that painting a house is not a problem and that the manufacturer should bear the cost of disposal since they produce the product. They questioned why manufacturers aren't handling the disposal on their own and suggested that the fee should be a manufacturer's cost, not a consumer fee.
HB451: Unnamed Legislator Information Only01:54:26.719 - 10:23:12 AM; An unnamed legislator clarified that the manufacturer increases the price of paint to include the disposal fee, which is then passed on to the retailer and ultimately to the consumer. They discussed the optional nature of retailers becoming collection sites but noted that every paint can sold in New Hampshire would include the fee.
HB451: Unnamed Legislator Information Only01:55:22.880 - 10:24:08 AM; An unnamed legislator mentioned that Paint Care being a 501c3 could allow manufacturers to receive tax deductions, potentially offsetting the cost of the disposal fee. They also noted that paint is already expensive, suggesting that a small fee might not be noticeable to consumers.
HB451: Unnamed Speaker 1 Information Only01:56:17.080 - 10:25:03 AM; The speaker discussed the competitive nature of retailing, suggesting that retailers might lower the price of paint to remain competitive despite the inclusion of an assessment cost. They mentioned examples like Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore going on sale. They also referenced the Manchester transfer station's disposal day, indicating that it handles various hazardous wastes, not just paint.
HB451: Unnamed Speaker 2 Oppose01:57:06.800 - 10:25:52 AM; The speaker expressed concerns about the proposed bill, noting that disposal days at transfer stations handle a variety of hazardous wastes beyond just paint, such as pesticides, pool chemicals, and household cleaners. They questioned the cost savings for local taxpayers and the precedent set by targeting paint specifically, suggesting that a similar approach might be needed for other hazardous wastes. They were unsure if the bill was the right solution and suggested holding off on an executive decision.
HB451: Unnamed Speaker 3 Support01:58:01.679 - 10:26:47 AM; The speaker supported the idea of retailers managing the recycling of paint, pointing out that paint constitutes 53% of hazardous waste material at recycling centers. They suggested that retailers could use this as an opportunity to increase foot traffic by hosting special recycling days, which could be beneficial for both the community and the retailers.
HB451: Unnamed Speaker 4 Information Only01:58:57.599 - 10:27:43 AM; The speaker suggested that if retailers are to benefit from increased foot traffic due to paint recycling, they should bear the cost rather than passing it on to consumers. The conversation was then paused, with a plan to revisit the topic in the next meeting to explore potential amendments or solutions.

Lang, Timothy(Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Murphy, Keith(V Chairman)(R)[B+]2024	Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[CT]2024
Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2024	Sullivan, Victoria(R)