Committee Summary for House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/29/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB552 00:02:36.080 - 9:01:17 AM	Public Hearing	relative to coverage of children under the state retiree insurance plan.	Newsom, James(D)[CT]2025
HB648 00:30:56.440 - 9:29:37 AM	Public Hearing	relative to insurance coverage for glucose monitoring.	Damon, Hope(D)[CT]2025
HB678 01:42:42.040 - 10:41:23 AM	Public Hearing	Unclear	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
HB639 03:24:55.600 - 12:23:36 PM	Public Hearing	relative to the use of and disputes over blockchain and digital currencies.	Ammon, Keith(R)[A]2025
HB499 04:08:59.119 - 1:07:40 PM	Public Hearing	making technical corrections to certain insurance laws.	Hunt, John(R)[B+]2025
Unclear 04:26:50.760 - 1:25:31 PM	Public Hearing	Unclear
Unclear 04:33:55.639 - 1:32:36 PM	General Working Session	Unclear

HB552: Representative James Nome, Bow and Hopkinton Support00:02:36.080 - 9:01:17 AM; Representative James Nome, representing Bow and Hopkinton, introduced House Bill 552, aimed at amending the state retiree insurance plan to cover children aged 19-25 without the requirement of being full-time students. He emphasized that this change would align the retiree plan with current state employee plans and other ACA plans, without costing taxpayers any additional money, as premiums would be paid by the retirees. Nome highlighted that adding healthier young adults to the insurance pool could decrease state costs due to reduced need for eligibility verification. He also mentioned potential benefits in hiring and encouraging early retirement. The bill had previously received favorable votes but was killed by a non-germane amendment.
HB648: Representative Hope Damon, Sullivan District 8 Support00:30:56.440 - 9:29:37 AM; Representative Hope Damon, representing the towns of Alstead, Langdon, Lempster, Goshen, Washington, Springfield, Sunapee, Marlow, and the City of Claremont, introduced House Bill 648. The bill aims to require commercial insurance coverage for glucose monitoring devices and supplies for people with type 2 and gestational diabetes. Damon, a former dietitian and diabetes educator, provided a detailed background on diabetes, its prevalence in New Hampshire, and the importance of glucose monitoring for effective management. She highlighted the benefits of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in preventing complications and improving patient outcomes, emphasizing that it could save lives and be cost-effective by preventing expensive complications. Damon expressed willingness to amend the bill to include the word 'prescribed' for clarity and addressed questions regarding the threshold for needing CGM and the potential impact on insurance costs.
HB648: Representative Jody N, Co-Sponsor Support01:04:14.079 - 10:02:55 AM; Representative Jody N, a co-sponsor of the bill, shared a personal story about her mother's reliance on glucose monitoring equipment. She emphasized the importance of the equipment in keeping her mother safe and healthy, preventing frequent hospitalizations. She supported the bill from a personal perspective, highlighting the impact of such technology on the lives of individuals with diabetes.
HB648: Liz Kennon, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Support01:05:48.240 - 10:04:29 AM; Liz Kennon, a retired certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, supported House Bill 648. She shared her extensive experience in diabetes care, emphasizing the historical evolution of glucose monitoring and its critical role in managing diabetes. Kennon highlighted the benefits of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in reducing complications and improving patient quality of life. She provided examples of how CGM could prevent severe outcomes like amputations and improve productivity for those with diabetes. Kennon also addressed the American Diabetes Association's recommendations for CGM and the potential benefits for patients on newer medications.
HB648: Jason Azar, Director of Health Economics, New Hampshire Insurance Department Information Only01:18:10.040 - 10:16:51 AM; Jason Azar, representing the New Hampshire Insurance Department, provided neutral testimony on House Bill 648. He outlined the current medical necessity criteria for obtaining CGM, which includes a diagnosis of diabetes and insulin therapy. Azar mentioned recent changes in Medicare's requirements for insulin therapy and referenced a fiscal note indicating potential upward pressure on premiums if the bill were to pass. He provided cost estimates for CGM units and emphasized that the department would be neutral on the legislation.
HB648: Lindsay Nadeau, Attorney, Orin Reno, representing SIGA Oppose01:21:20.560 - 10:20:01 AM; Lindsay Nadeau, representing SIGA, opposed House Bill 648. She expressed concerns about the bill's broad application to type 2 diabetes, noting that medical necessity for CGM in this population is still under debate. Nadeau highlighted potential upward pressure on premiums and logistical issues with the bill's requirements for continued treatment. She emphasized the importance of considering the cumulative impact of mandates on insurance costs and mentioned the need for further analysis on cost-benefit ratios.
HB648: Nancy Beerman, Member of the New Hampshire Rare Disease Advisory Council Support01:29:58.480 - 10:28:39 AM; Nancy Beerman, representing herself and mentioning her role on the New Hampshire Rare Disease Advisory Council, supported House Bill 648. As a mother of a type 1 diabetic, she shared personal experiences with the challenges and benefits of managing diabetes with various technologies. Beerman emphasized how CGM and insulin pumps have significantly improved her daughter's quality of life and reduced hospital admissions. She stressed the importance of reducing costs for diabetic care, especially for young adults transitioning off parental insurance, and highlighted the financial burden of diabetes management.
HB648: Andrew Hosmer, representing Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Oppose01:37:18.880 - 10:35:59 AM; Andrew Hosmer from Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, New Hampshire's largest nonprofit health insurer, expressed opposition to HB648. He highlighted that their current coverage includes blood glucose monitors and continuous long-term glucose monitoring devices based on medical necessity, particularly for patients using insulin or requiring frequent blood glucose testing. He noted that Harvard Pilgrim also covers continuous glucose monitoring for gestational diabetes during pregnancy, but only when prescribed by a professional with relevant experience. Hosmer argued that the bill would expand coverage to include glucose monitoring for diabetes patients not on insulin therapy, which may not be medically necessary. He also raised concerns about the removal of prior authorization requirements, which he believes limits the ability of health plans to ensure proper treatment. Additionally, he mentioned challenges in ensuring patient compliance with follow-up care as mandated by the bill. He concluded by offering to answer questions from the committee.
HB678: Alicia Greg, representing Nashua Ward 7 Information Only01:42:42.040 - 10:41:23 AM; Alicia Greg, representing Nashua Ward 7, spoke about House Bill 678. She mentioned that after discussions with stakeholders, significant amendments are expected, which will substantially change the bill. She requested that the committee retain the bill to avoid wasting time and to allow for a more productive discussion on the amended version at a later date.
HB678: Brandon Gad, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Chief of the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau, New Hampshire Department of Justice Information Only01:44:00.880 - 10:42:41 AM; Brandon Gad from the New Hampshire Department of Justice provided testimony on HB678, noting that the bill is being retained and he would be brief. His testimony was not in support or opposition to the bill but expressed concerns about its placement under New Hampshire's consumer protection act. He explained that the bill, as drafted, would consider any violation as an unfair or deceptive act or practice, which could have unintended consequences. Gad highlighted that the consumer protection act has specific violations and a general prohibition against unfair or deceptive acts. He argued that adding new prohibitions like limiting sales to minors under this act could expand its scope beyond legislative intent, potentially including acts like selling tobacco, fireworks, or weapons to minors as unfair or deceptive practices. He suggested that if the legislature wishes to pursue such prohibitions, it should consider more appropriate enforcement mechanisms aligned with existing laws on sales to minors.
HB678: Michelle Roberts, Bureau Chief for Public Health Protection, Division of Public Health Services, Department of Health and Human Services Information Only01:47:49.080 - 10:46:30 AM; Michelle Roberts from the Department of Health and Human Services mentioned that they had testimony prepared for HB678, but since the bill was being retained, they offered to distribute written copies instead of presenting orally. She introduced Erica Davis, indicating readiness to proceed as directed by the committee.
HB678: Erica Davis, Administrator of the Food Protection Section, Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Division Information Only01:48:18.599 - 10:46:59 AM; Erica Davis testified about the proposed legislation's requirement for retail stores to post information about health concerns related to dietary supplements for weight loss and muscle building. She explained that the department's fiscal note indicates an inability to estimate the precise fiscal impact due to the unknown number of affected retail establishments. The department licenses approximately 4,900 food establishments, with around 1,100 considered retail food stores, not including self-inspecting cities and towns or establishments without food requiring refrigeration for safety. Davis highlighted the department's responsibility to develop and provide notices about these health concerns, initially estimating a fiscal impact between $10,000 and $100,000 per fiscal year 2026. She expressed concerns about the definition of dietary supplements and the potential broad application of health claims, which could affect retailers. Davis noted that further research is needed to accurately represent these supplements on posters, and the department has not yet taken a position on the bill but shared these concerns with the bill sponsor.
HB639: Keith Ammon, Representative Hillsboro District 42 (New Boston, Mount Vernon, Lyndeborough) Support03:24:55.600 - 12:23:36 PM; Keith Ammon introduced the Blockchain Basics Law, describing it as his third and final blockchain-related bill for the year. The bill incorporates recommendations from the Governor's commission and language from model laws in other states. It includes a purpose and findings section, definitions related to blockchain, protections for individuals' rights to use digital assets for payments and self-custody, safeguards for blockchain infrastructure, and recognition of blockchain-based trusts. Ammon also discussed the establishment of a blockchain dispute docket in the judicial system to provide expertise in resolving blockchain disputes, with an effective date of January 1st, 2026. He addressed concerns about potential energy and environmental impacts, clarifying that the bill aims to prevent discriminatory actions against the blockchain industry without enabling special carve-outs.
HB639: Patrick Deo, Tax Practitioner from Henniker, Resident of Pembroke Support03:53:19.800 - 12:52:00 PM; Patrick Deo expressed support for the bill due to its clear definitions, which he believes will help clarify the ambiguous terminology in the digital asset space. With 15 years of experience in the digital asset market, Deo highlighted the need for a unified understanding and a judicial system capable of arbitrating blockchain-related issues correctly. He emphasized that the definitions and the proposed judicial system would be beneficial for the industry.
HB639: Ian Hyatt, Attorney and Board Member of the New Hampshire Blockchain Council Support03:55:11.600 - 12:53:52 PM; Ian Hyatt supported the bill, addressing issues raised in the fiscal note, including securities law, the potential blockchain dispute docket, and contract and trust law. He clarified that mining and staking are not securities under established law, and the bill aims to prevent novel regulatory enforcement. Hyatt explained the proposed blockchain dispute docket would only incur significant costs if there were substantial blockchain-related business in New Hampshire. He distinguished smart contracts from legal contracts and emphasized the bill's provisions for clarity in trust law. Hyatt also noted the bill's unique provision encouraging environmentally friendly blockchain practices through proof of stake validation incentives.
HB499: Insurance Commissioner Information Only04:08:59.119 - 1:07:40 PM; The Insurance Commissioner was set to explain the technical corrections proposed in House Bill 499 regarding certain insurance laws. However, the transcript provided does not include the details of their testimony.
HB499: DJ Betancourt, Commissioner of the New Hampshire Insurance Department Information Only04:09:02.279 - 1:07:43 PM; Commissioner DJ Betancourt began his testimony by explaining that the majority of House Bill 499 is ministerial, aimed at cleaning up and clarifying existing statutes. This is the third or fourth time the department has brought forward such a bill, focusing on updating nomenclature and correcting oversights from previous legislation. He highlighted a provision on page one, lines 12 through 18, which arose from an unrelated matter to Property and Casualty lines but helped identify an issue needing attention. He discussed a disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, which led to a carrier withdrawing from Strafford County, causing confusion among the public. The department does not regulate Medicare Advantage but does oversee Medicare supplemental plans. In response to this disruption, the bill includes a notification requirement for carriers to inform the department of significant changes or withdrawals from the market, which will help the department assist the public better. He also mentioned a light-touch notification requirement for Property and Casualty lines, requiring companies to send an email about changes or cessation of coverage. The bill also includes cleanup language related to the department's work with surplus lines companies, specifying the need for New Hampshire licensed adjusters for claims. He concluded by discussing changes to the financial regulation unit's requirements for new companies, increasing the minimum asset requirement from $800,000 to $3 million to filter out non-serious actors. Additionally, the bill proposes eliminating several fees that are costly to enforce compared to the revenue they generate.
HB499: Emily Dhy, Legal Counsel for the Property and Casualty Unit, New Hampshire Insurance Department Information Only04:16:47.560 - 1:15:28 PM; Emily Dhy provided additional clarification on the bill, specifically regarding the provision related to surplus lines companies. She explained that the bill clarifies that for policies on New Hampshire risks, including those from surplus lines carriers, a New Hampshire licensed claim adjuster must handle the claims. This clarification aims to ensure proper handling of claims within the state.
HB499: Unnamed Representative Information Only04:17:32.880 - 1:16:13 PM; An unnamed representative asked for clarification on whether an insurance company pulling out of the state can cancel policies in force. The response was that companies cannot cancel in-force policies but can choose not to renew them or take on new business.
HB499: Unnamed Representative Information Only04:15:14.359 - 1:13:55 PM; Another unnamed representative discussed concerns about network adequacy, particularly in the North Country, and how allowing Property and Casualty companies to pull out could exacerbate issues. The response clarified that there are no network adequacy requirements for Property and Casualty as there are for health insurance, and such actions are already possible without the bill, which only adds a notification requirement.
Unclear: Joseph Mica, Chairman of the New Hampshire Liquor Commission Information Only04:26:50.760 - 1:25:31 PM; Joseph Mica, Chairman of the New Hampshire Liquor Commission, introduced the bill as a housekeeping measure. He explained that the bill aims to reorganize the commission's structure by separating the division of administration into a division of administration and a division of finance, following a recommendation from the LBA audit. This change is part of a broader restructuring within the commission, which will not require additional funds and will fit within the current operating budget. The new division of finance will be responsible for overseeing and enhancing the efficiency of financial operations, aiming to optimize revenue and create value for New Hampshire citizens and out-of-state consumers. Mica also addressed questions about the classification of positions, clarifying that unclassified positions are at-will and that the reference to removing a commissioner position was a housekeeping change from when the commission structure was altered from three to two commissioners.
Unclear: Tina Deir, CFO of the New Hampshire Liquor Commission Information Only04:26:50.760 - 1:25:31 PM; Tina Deir, CFO of the New Hampshire Liquor Commission, was present to support the testimony of Chairman Mica. She did not provide additional testimony but was available to answer questions related to the financial aspects of the proposed restructuring.
Unclear: Unnamed Representative Information Only04:29:56.840 - 1:28:37 PM; An unnamed representative asked for clarification on the difference between unclassified and classified positions. The response explained that unclassified positions are at-will, while classified positions have protections similar to civil service. Another representative inquired about the reference to removing a commissioner position, which was explained as a housekeeping change from when the commission transitioned from three to two commissioners.
Unclear: Unnamed Committee Chair Information Only04:33:55.639 - 1:32:36 PM; The committee chair discussed upcoming meeting schedules due to room availability issues. The committee will not meet on the upcoming Tuesday due to the availability of only a small room, and instead will meet on Wednesday. The chair outlined plans for the following weeks, including a subcommittee day on Wednesday the 12th to address early bills, such as the ambulance bills, and an executive session on the 19th to finalize recommendations on bills that need to be out by March 6th. The chair also mentioned a potential additional Wednesday session on March 5th if needed, considering the upcoming vacation week. The discussion included plans to hear from consultants and analysts regarding the ambulance bills on the 12th.

Hunt, John(Chairman)(R)[B+]2025	Post, Lisa(Clerk)(R)[A]2025	Potucek, John(V Chairman)(R)[A-]2025
Salvi, Santosh(D)[CT]2025	Chourasia, Manoj(D)[F]2025	Ammon, Keith(R)[A]2025
Herbert, Christopher(D)[D-]2025	Osborne, Jason(R)[A+]2025	Thackston, Dick(R)[B+]2025
Walsh, Lilli(R)[B]2025	Porcelli, Susan(R)[B]2025	Spier, Carry(D)[D-]2025
Burroughs, Anita(D)[F]2025	Gibbs, Merryl(D)[D-]2025	McAleer, Chris(D)[D-]2025
Sullivan, Jared(D)[D]2025	Miles, Julie(R)[A-]2025	Presa, Adam(R)[B]2025