Committee Summary for Fiscal Committee (12/19/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
FIS299 00:05:04.000 - 10:03:50 AM	General Working Session	Transfer of funds to nursing facilities budget	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
FIS295 -	General Working Session	Rural health transformation grants allocation	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
Unclear 00:15:35.120 - 10:14:21 AM	General Working Session	Unclear

FIS299: Nathan White, Chief Financial Officer, Department of Health and Human Services Information Only00:05:04.000 - 10:03:50 AM; Nathan White explains the request to transfer $2.2 million to the nursing facilities budget line from a long-term care Medicaid eligibility contract. He details that nursing facility rates are set twice annually based on reported allowable costs, utilization, acuity, and other factors. Without this transfer, rates would decrease by an average of 3.9%; with it, they remain at zero change overall. He notes that the budget adjustment factor, capped at 28.76% by statute, is applied to manage the budget, and any excess funds would be paid out at the end of the fiscal year. He clarifies that bed counts are not the sole determining factor, as associated care costs matter, and rates will be reset in July.
FIS299: Senator Rosenwald Information Only00:04:13.200 - 10:02:59 AM; Senator Rosenwald questions why, with budgeted beds at 4,182 but actual at 3,600, there isn't extra appropriation to increase nursing home reimbursement rates above 0%, avoiding some rate cuts. He inquires about budget neutrality.
FIS299: Senator Lang Information Only00:08:45.040 - 10:07:31 AM; Senator Lang confirms that bed counts alone do not determine rates, as other care types and costs are involved. He discusses prior conversations about impacts on county nursing homes and taxpayers, noting the transfer uses federal match to avoid a 3.9% average reduction, achieving zero change, with reassessment later.
FIS299: Representative Mooney Information Only00:09:36.560 - 10:08:22 AM; Representative Mooney verifies a date in the request, correcting it from February 1, 2025, to February 1, 2026, and asks if retroactive requests are frequent.
FIS299: Representative Birds Information Only00:10:22.959 - 10:09:08 AM; Representative Birds asks if more money would increase rates and if $5 million could allow higher rates. He seeks clarification on the budget adjustment factor's calculation and purpose, understanding it as a statutory cap that reduces overall payout. He questions the need to reapply to CMS for rate changes despite adding funds, learning about the required 30-day posting period.
FIS299: Representative Leechman Information Only00:12:36.079 - 10:11:22 AM; Representative Leechman asks about reactions from nursing homes to the request.
FIS299: Senator Rosenwald Information Only00:14:36.079 - 10:13:22 AM; For item FIS-295, Senator Rosenwald confirms the amount represents all applications for the biennium from rural health transformation grants. He asks for details on innovative technologies, clarifying it is not AI in healthcare.
Unclear: Unidentified Speaker (likely from FIS-295) Information Only00:15:35.120 - 10:14:21 AM; The speaker explains that the grant's technology section focuses on improving health access and sustainability in underserved areas, including electronic medical records, back-end systems, and software, with minimal AI involvement. Emphasizes that the aim is to enhance accessibility without replacing human interaction, and no chatbot was proposed.
Unclear: Senator Birdell Vote00:16:37.440 - 10:15:23 AM; Moves to approve item 25295.
Unclear: Committee Chair Vote00:16:37.440 - 10:15:23 AM; Seconds the motion and calls for vote; motion to approve item 25295 carries.
Unclear: Jay Bucky, Executive Director, New Hampshire Judicial Council Information Only00:17:48.000 - 10:16:34 AM; Requests funds for contract attorneys providing indigent defense on a fixed fee basis as an economical alternative when public defenders cannot take cases. Explains that current funds are exhausted, and new funds would be used immediately. Notes fixed fees range from $900 for misdemeanors to under $2,000 for felonies, expecting more cases. Reports about 150 incarcerated and 300 non-incarcerated individuals awaiting counsel, higher than usual due to competition for attorneys, public defender closures, increased incarcerations, and court changes. Lists closed public defender offices: Nashua (all except new clients), Littleton, and Newport. Highlights priority for incarcerated individuals and risk of constitutional violations if not provided counsel.
Unclear: Senator L. Information Only00:17:48.000 - 10:16:34 AM; Questions burn rate of existing funds and when they will run out; notes previous additional appropriation was for a different line (involuntary admissions).
Unclear: Senator Rosimal Information Only00:22:50.640 - 10:21:36 AM; Questions math on funding needs, suggesting a lesser initial appropriation with option to return if needed, due to revenue concerns and state reserves. Makes motion to approve $1 million.
Unclear: Representative Leeman Information Only00:19:38.000 - 10:18:24 AM; Inquires if 300 people without counsel is higher than usual and risks case dismissals; seeks reasons for increase.
Unclear: Committee Chair Vote00:24:49.840 - 10:23:35 AM; Motion to approve $1 million carries with 6 votes.
Unclear: Unidentified Speaker (HHS) Information Only00:27:51.279 - 10:26:37 AM; Responds to question on community mental health center case loads, noting it's the first iteration of the dashboard and they can break out adults and children in future updates.
Unclear: Senator Rosenald Information Only00:27:51.279 - 10:26:37 AM; Requests splitting case loads by adults and children on HHS dashboard and including budget reduction statistics monthly.
Unclear: Senator Gray Information Only00:31:07.840 - 10:29:53 AM; Discusses DRRA, hiring auditors (approved but not yet hired), amnesty program starting, and cautions on revenue numbers to ensure accurate projections after accounting for budgeted savings.
Unclear: Senator Lang Information Only00:32:17.279 - 10:31:03 AM; Notes amnesty program budgeted at $5 million, running through February, with $5 million already received.
Unclear: Laura Raymond, Assistant Attorney General Information Only00:33:23.039 - 10:32:09 AM; Introduces self and colleagues; explains pending litigation on new claims administrator, limited settlements (5 in Oct-Nov), continuing to resolve cases. Administrative costs ($6.9M) mainly to outside counsel Verrill Dana, currently paused. On $237M committed vs. $185M appropriated, explains installment payments allow future appropriations; current budget sufficient for this year with $10M buffer; will request more as needed.
Unclear: Jackie Karn Stewart, Senior Paralegal, YDC Claims Administration Information Only00:33:23.039 - 10:32:09 AM; Supports explanation on administrative costs and claims processing; notes following statutory timelines.
Unclear: Tom Kemper, Deputy Director, Attorney General's Office Information Only00:33:23.039 - 10:32:09 AM; Confirms $185M appropriated; buffer for FY27 depends on settlements; structured payments spread over 10 years.
Unclear: Senator Rosen Information Only00:33:14.799 - 10:32:00 AM; Questions new claims administrator, settlement numbers, administrative costs, funding discrepancy, and plan for additional appropriations.
Unclear: Senator Gray (additional) Information Only00:40:04.240 - 10:38:50 AM; Clarifies structured settlements reduce yearly exposure; notes YDC property sale funds will help; suggests monitoring and action if sale fails. Expresses concerns on claims process, lack of convictions, credibility of claims, and requests list of perpetrators for potential prosecutions.
Unclear: Representative Leechman (additional) Information Only00:44:17.520 - 10:43:03 AM; Questions authority to settle claims before filing deadline; requests statutory reference.
Unclear: Christine Young, Director of Audits, LBA Information Only00:47:44.640 - 10:46:30 AM; Introduces audit team and presents financial audit of Police Standards and Training Council (PSTC) for 9 months ended March 31, 2025.
Unclear: Thomas Ward, Financial Audit Manager, LBA Information Only00:48:47.200 - 10:47:33 AM; Presents audit report: 5 internal control observations (no material weaknesses) on timekeeping, risk management, continuity plans, user access, unused accounts; 4 compliance observations on MOU with DOJ, financial interest statements, administrative rules, procurements. Notes modified opinion due to incomplete statements; no material adjustments; prior findings status (7 resolved, 1 in process, 4 unresolved).
Unclear: Director John Skipa, PSTC Information Only00:55:27.920 - 10:54:13 AM; Thanks audit team; commits to implementing recommendations; recognizes staff efforts.
Unclear: Jessica Nichols, Financial Operations Manager, PSTC Information Only01:02:29.200 - 11:01:15 AM; Clarifies funding is strictly general funds; agency income is DOJ pass-through for reimbursements.
Unclear: Senator Gray (audit) Information Only00:56:46.480 - 10:55:32 AM; Urges resolution of unresolved audit items from 2010 and 2019; suggests reissuing if needed.
Unclear: Senator Lang (audit) Information Only00:58:02.960 - 10:56:48 AM; Notes joint oversight committee now holds agencies accountable for unresolved items with timelines.
Unclear: Representative Leechman (audit) Information Only00:58:56.640 - 10:57:42 AM; Shares concern on unresolved financial disclosures; questions reasons.
Unclear: Director John Skipa (response) Information Only01:00:09.520 - 10:58:55 AM; Takes responsibility for not ensuring annual financial disclosures; new process to complete at first meeting each year. On revenues, no fees from departments; academy costs covered by state, towns pay salaries. Explains job task analysis surveying graduates, FTOs, chiefs to refine curriculum. Conduct Review Committee handles misconduct allegations.