Committee Summary for House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/29/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1207 00:07:58.000 - 9:02:59 AM	Public Hearing	relative to certain laws applicable to state chartered banks, credit unions, trust companies, and other consumer credit entities subject to the authority of the banking department.	Hunt, John(R)[B+]2025
HB1502 00:37:47.520 - 9:32:48 AM	Public Hearing	governing special bank and credit union deposits.	Hunt, John(R)[B+]2025
HB1124 00:51:24.160 - 9:46:25 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the right to compute.	Ammon, Keith(R)[A]2025
HB1658 01:33:01.600 - 10:28:02 AM	Public Hearing	relative to parental consent and age verification for digital application platforms.	Drye, Margaret(R)[B+]2025
HB1650 02:43:35.600 - 11:38:36 AM	Public Hearing	relative to an age-appropriate design code.	Litchfield, Melissa(R)[B+]2025
HB1504 03:32:53.760 - 12:27:54 PM	Public Hearing	prohibiting retailers from engaging in price gouging on certain necessary products and services.	Simpson, Alexis(D)[CT]2025
HB1339 03:50:21.439 - 12:45:22 PM	Public Hearing	prohibiting the discrimination against cash buyers in business transactions.	Notter, Jeanine(R)[A-]2025
HB1262 04:22:45.439 - 1:17:46 PM	Public Hearing	relative to home heating oil and propane contracts.	Lucas, Janet(D)[F]2025

HB1207: Amelia Galeri, Bank Commissioner, NH Banking Department Information Only00:07:58.000 - 9:02:59 AM; Amelia Galeri introduced herself and her staff, Seth Zuraki and Jameson Randall, and explained that HB 1207 was drafted at the request of the Banking Department to update funding mechanisms without increasing revenue. She deferred to Seth Zuraki for details on the bill.
HB1207: Seth Zuraki, General Counsel, NH Banking Department Information Only00:08:00.000 - 9:03:01 AM; Seth Zuraki detailed the key provisions of HB 1207, including restructuring examination fees to an annual fixed base fee for trust companies, credit unions, and family trust companies to make payments more predictable without increasing revenue. He explained adjustments to licensing fees for inflation to cover processing costs, offset by reduced examination fees, and modifications to application fees for chartered institutions. He also clarified alignment of criminal history requirements for mortgage loan originators with federal SAFE Act standards, reducing the look-back period from 10 to 7 years to match other states.
HB1207: Amelia Galeri, Bank Commissioner, NH Banking Department Information Only00:15:00.000 - 9:10:01 AM; Commissioner Galeri addressed committee questions on the bill's impact on trust companies, emphasizing no competitive disadvantage and New Hampshire's strong position in trust assets under management. She discussed the amendment based on stakeholder feedback, adjusting the fixed base fee to $23,000 for credit unions and trust companies while retaining the per diem structure for banks. She explained how the changes smooth budgeting for regulated entities without raising costs to consumers.
HB1207: Jameson Randall, Director of Chartered Institutions Division, NH Banking Department Information Only00:20:40.960 - 9:15:41 AM; Jameson Randall provided details on New Hampshire's trust company sector, noting no physical presence requirement, allowing firms nationwide to charter there. He highlighted the state's competitiveness, with significant growth including four new trust companies this year, one managing over a trillion dollars in assets. He confirmed the fee changes do not increase operational costs.
HB1207: Christy Merrill, President and CEO, New Hampshire Bankers Association Information Only00:28:16.000 - 9:23:17 AM; Christy Merrill represented 40 member banks and expressed neutrality on the introduced bill but support for streamlining funding mechanisms. She preferred retaining the current per diem examination fee structure for banks, suggesting averaging over years to smooth costs, and opposed fixed fees in statute due to inflation risks. She noted concerns with section 13 on additional fee collection, which the department agreed to remove via amendment.
HB1207: Kyle Baker, Representative, Cooperative Credit Union Association Information Only00:30:56.480 - 9:25:57 AM; Kyle Baker represented state and federally chartered credit unions and expressed neutrality on the introduced bill but support for the amendment. He explained that credit union examinations require more state resources due to unpredictable NCUA support, making the fixed base fee beneficial for budgeting. He proposed $23,000 as a more accurate fee aligned with current costs for state-chartered institutions.
HB1207: Glenn Pllo, Representative, Trust Council Information Only00:33:00.000 - 9:28:01 AM; Glenn Pllo began testifying on the trust industry growth in New Hampshire, noting the jurisdictional requirement under trust law despite no physical presence mandate. He drew from his background in banking regulation to discuss budgeting benefits that have supported industry expansion.
HB1207: Adam (Trust Council) Support00:34:17.919 - 9:29:18 AM; The speaker praises the banking department for balanced regulation and understands the bill's impetus. They note that if the math doesn't work out over three years, they will revisit it. They had ample opportunity to review drafts and have no objection to the regimen, trusting the department that there will be smoothing out without increases. Other fees are adjusted after a long time, and nothing is objectionable. They assure that if it would thwart business, they would address it.
HB1502: Charles Mooney, Commissioner on Uniform State Laws Support00:37:47.520 - 9:32:48 AM; Charles Mooney testifies in support of HB 1502, explaining the Uniform Law Commission's role in providing nonpartisan legislation for clarity and uniformity. New Hampshire has enacted over 50 uniform acts. The bill clarifies special deposits, which are protected escrow-like accounts for specific purposes contingent on events like real estate closings or settlements. It requires designation by depositor and bank, is opt-in, and protects against insolvency or bankruptcy until the contingency occurs. It provides safe, secure options without full escrow costs. Mooney offers to answer questions and notes written testimony from Carrie Beerman.
HB1124: Representative Ammon Support00:51:24.160 - 9:46:25 AM; Representative Ammon supports HB 1124, analogizing computers to the printing press protected by the First Amendment. The bill affirms rights to own and operate computational resources, run software, AI tools, and self-custody digital assets without unreasonable interference. It preserves state authority for regulation, licensing, and exceptions for compelling interests, preventing criminalization of mere possession. It sets a floor for protections while allowing local zoning and codes. Cites Montana's precedent and urges passage to protect tools of thought and expression.
HB1124: David McGary, Taxpayers Protection Alliance Support01:04:42.640 - 9:59:43 AM; David McGary, research director of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, supports HB 1124 as an exciting bill that protects rights to computational tools without stifling innovation. He notes over 1,000 AI-related bills in 2025, many heavy-handed, but this one promotes dynamism. Emphasizes the principle of no prior restraint, like freedom of the press, allowing publication then enforcing laws against violations. Compares to 1990s digital tech regulations that brought consumer benefits, positioning New Hampshire as a leader in economic and technological progress.
HB1124: Patrick Hedger, Director of Policy at Net Choice Support01:07:05.920 - 10:02:06 AM; Patrick Hedger testified in support of HB 1124, emphasizing that it codifies Granite State constitutional rights to free expression and privacy. He argued that the bill sets the correct standard for government review of regulations, requiring restrictions on private use of tools to be demonstrably necessary and narrowly tailored to a compelling governmental interest. Hedger criticized overreaching regulations that micromanage innovation and create de facto bans through compliance burdens. He used the analogy of regulating a hammer not by banning it but by targeting misuse, advocating for regulation focused on known harms rather than eliminating entire technologies. During questioning, he clarified that the bill allows criminalization of specific misuses like AI-generated child sexual abuse material or revenge porn, but prevents burdensome regulations on the technology itself, such as those that might lead companies to geofence New Hampshire.
HB1124: Bryce Chenalt, Director of State Government Affairs for the Abundance Institute Support01:12:02.640 - 10:07:03 AM; Bryce Chenalt supported HB 1124, describing it as fostering an environment for emerging technologies to benefit society. He quoted Plato's Phaedrus to illustrate historical fears of new technologies like writing, drawing parallels to current concerns about AI. Chenalt argued that the bill rejects a fear-based approach, affirming that lawful computation is a protected freedom, not a privilege. It does not deregulate harmful conduct but requires the state to justify restrictions based on demonstrable harm, not speculative risk, while preserving consumer protection, safety, privacy, and criminal laws. He provided written remarks and an accompanying essay, noting the bill's alignment with principles that have driven human flourishing.
HB1124: Sarah Scott, Deputy State Director for Americans for Prosperity Support01:15:58.400 - 10:10:59 AM; Sarah Scott testified in support of HB 1124, highlighting AI's transformative potential in learning, work, communication, and innovation, which requires government to step aside for entrepreneurs. She noted Montana's passage of similar legislation last year and momentum in other states, emphasizing how quickly AI is evolving. Scott shared an anecdote about last year's committee confusion on 'right to compute,' contrasting it with current progress, and urged New Hampshire to provide business certainty, attract companies, and lead regionally by embracing innovation.
HB1124: Lando (AI Agent presented by Keith Ammon) Support01:19:01.120 - 10:14:02 AM; Lando, an AI agent created for this testimony, supported HB 1124, framing it as protecting the right to own and use computational resources without government interference. It argued the bill safeguards property rights by treating computers and software like other personal property; protects free expression by viewing computational tools as modern printing presses; and ensures privacy by allowing control over data processing. The bill is narrowly tailored, permitting intervention for compelling interests like protecting infrastructure or preventing fraud, while being future-proof by establishing principles over specific regulations. It positions New Hampshire as a leader in digital rights, trusting citizens and welcoming progress.
HB1124: Margaret Dry, Representative from Plainfield, Cornish, Newport, Unity, and Charlestown, Sullivan District 7 Support01:24:22.800 - 10:19:23 AM; As the prime sponsor of HB 1658, Representative Margaret Dry introduced an amendment tightening definitions (e.g., 'user' to 'account holder,' 'age' to 'age category') and addressing pre-installed apps, based on interim feedback from other states. She explained the bill restores longstanding contract law protections for minors in the digital marketplace, requiring parental consent for app downloads, purchases, and in-app transactions. Key features include age verification at the app store level without new data collection, clear disclosures to parents on ratings, content, and data practices, renewed consent for significant changes, truthful disclosures to avoid deceptive practices, and privacy safeguards. Enforcement treats violations as deceptive trade practices via the attorney general. Dry emphasized the bill is about contracts, not content; protects privacy; and is practical, asking for ought to pass as amended. It has passed in three states and is pending in others.
HB1658: James Tibo, Representative from Franklin and Northfield Support01:33:01.600 - 10:28:02 AM; James Tibo, co-sponsor, supports HB1658 to provide consumer protections for minors downloading apps. He explains that minors lack legal capacity to enter contracts like end-user license agreements and privacy policies. The bill requires minor accounts to link to a parent account for consent on downloads and in-app purchases, increases transparency for app changes, and uses age attestation or verification without sharing personal data. He emphasizes protecting children's privacy from data collection and exploitation, noting existing parental control features in Apple and Google systems. Tibo urges the committee to pass the bill.
HB1658: Lori Cororsen, Representative from Coos District 7 (Berlin, Whitefield, Jefferson, Kilkenny, Twin Mountain) Support01:40:02.320 - 10:35:03 AM; Lori Cororsen strongly supports HB1658, arguing it restores legal principles requiring parental involvement in minors' contracts, which app stores currently bypass. The bill focuses on consumer protection, age verification, and real parental consent without regulating content or raising First Amendment issues. She highlights risks like data exploitation by platforms like Meta and a real case of a minor harmed by an AI chatbot, where arbitration capped damages due to a child-accepted contract. HB1658 voids unfair provisions without parental agreement, is enforceable via the Attorney General under existing deceptive practices laws, leverages existing Apple and Google tools, regulates gatekeeper app stores efficiently, and protects privacy. Surveys show strong voter support for parental consent rights.
HB1658: Dina Alexander, Mother of three and Child First Policy Center Support01:45:47.920 - 10:40:48 AM; Dina Alexander supports HB1658, citing 95% of teens' smartphone access and 7.5 hours daily use, linking it to rising youth mental health issues. The bill empowers parents by focusing on gatekeepers Apple and Google for parental control over app access. She describes the 30-second process: age verification at account setup via parent's attestation of birthday, notifications to parents for downloads with app details (age rating, data collection/sharing), and approval/disapproval. It covers all apps to prevent data selling, including educational ones, and requires notifications for significant changes. Enforcement uses existing consumer protection mechanisms; Apple and Google already have compliance tools. She addresses developer impacts, noting varying ease based on languages, good faith efforts for liability, and coverage of all app stores. Alexander stresses benefits for phone-dominant youth use and discusses balancing teen privacy with protections, reading an example of inappropriate app content.
HB1658: Mary Stewart, Assistant Attorney General, Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau Information Only01:58:08.080 - 10:53:09 AM; Mary Stewart provides neutral testimony on behalf of Attorney General Formella, who supports HB1658's goals of protecting children from addictive app designs, as shown by ongoing lawsuits against TikTok and Meta set for 2027 trial. However, the bureau is neutral due to the bill's enforcement requiring the bureau to create administrative rules for age verification processes, a legal and technical task beyond their current staff expertise in rapidly evolving technology. They lack technical staff and were not asked for a fiscal note, which would note need for additional resources. The bureau has never made such rules before and questions if it's the appropriate mechanism. She clarifies child contracts are void and unenforceable, and the bill seeks bureau rules for verification compliance by developers and stores.
HB1658: DJ Burke, Business and Industry Association (BIA) Oppose02:05:32.000 - 11:00:33 AM; DJ Burke opposes HB1658, focusing on impacts on app developers, often small teams of 1-2 people facing compliance burdens. The bill creates separate experiences for adults and children, and developers cannot block minors from adult apps or have protections against erroneous age signals.
HB1658: Anonymous Resident (retired police officer, mother of seven) Support02:07:42.400 - 11:02:43 AM; An anonymous resident with seven children and a retired police officer background supports HB1658. Despite proactive parental controls and monitoring, one son developed device addiction, exposed to pornography in fifth grade on a school bus, escalating to obsession and using dating apps at 14-15 pretending to be an adult, leading to arrangements to meet adults for sex and a two-year residential treatment. She urges passage to prevent harmful adult app access by children.
HB1658: Kyle Sepi, Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) Oppose02:10:14.400 - 11:05:15 AM; Kyle Sepi opposes HB1658, emphasizing that children deserve online security and privacy. CCIA members provide parental tools like time limits, keyword regulations, and privacy enhancements to empower parents rather than government intervention. He advocates for digital citizenship courses in schools to educate children and parents on safe social media use. The bill's mandatory age verification and parental consent for app stores and developers impose vague standards, jeopardize privacy, and violate the First Amendment by restricting adult access to protect minors, as ruled by the Supreme Court and a recent Texas federal court. Age verification collects sensitive data, risking identity theft and breaches. He urges the committee to study or find the bill inexpedient to legislate.
HB1658: Barb Patch, All Girls Allowed and New Hampshire TrafficFree Coalition, Merrimack, NH Support02:13:32.320 - 11:08:33 AM; Barb Patch supports HB1658 to combat online exploitation and trafficking. She argues government has a role in protecting children, similar to regulations on cigarettes, liquor, marijuana, pornography, and seatbelts, especially since not all parents can adequately safeguard their kids. She cites 2,778 incidents of online exploitation reported for NH children last year, one in six minors using adult apps, 63% of under-13s on social media, and ease of bypassing parental controls. Predators find it easier to access children than parents do to protect them. She highlights misleading app ratings, like nudifying apps rated 4+ or 9+. The bill adds necessary protections without banning apps, following examples from Utah, Louisiana, and Texas. In response to a question about browser access, she notes the bill adds layers of security like car safety features.
HB1658: Dr. Edward Long, James Madison Institute Oppose02:20:16.080 - 11:15:17 AM; Dr. Edward Long opposes HB1658, expressing sympathy for a previous speaker's loss. He notes that age verification laws for social media and app stores have been struck down by courts, violating constitutional rights and wasting taxpayer money without protecting families. Instead, he recommends Florida's HB379 model, which mandates social media and digital literacy curricula in schools to teach harms like deepfakes and exploitation. This approach avoids surveillance states and builds long-term protection by equipping children with lifelong knowledge to pass on to future generations.
HB1658: David McGary, Taxpayers Protection Alliance Oppose02:23:53.840 - 11:18:54 AM; David McGary opposes HB1658, warning it endangers privacy and data security and likely violates the First Amendment, as ruled in Texas. As someone who grew up digitally, he credits his parents' monitoring for his safety, not government. Modern parental controls from Apple and Google are more extensive than the bill proposes, allowing tailored experiences per child. The bill imposes a one-size-fits-all regulation, replacing parental judgment. He suggests digital safety curricula in schools for children and parents, plus increased law enforcement funding to catch predators, as the bill won't remove any. In response to a question, he clarifies that existing tools allow granular control, reducing friction unlike the bill's stiff standard.
HB1658: Patrick Hedger, Net Choice Oppose02:27:50.560 - 11:22:51 AM; Patrick Hedger opposes HB1658, clarifying that courts have blocked similar age verification laws in Arkansas, Louisiana, Ohio, and Texas for First Amendment violations. The bill would lead to costly, doomed litigation. While intentions are noble, it fails the least restrictive means test for protecting speech. Unlike vices like alcohol, this concerns lawful speech access. It could prevent neglected children from vital services and drive minors to browsers, circumventing the law and creating false security. He references kids testing boundaries like in Jurassic Park. Better alternatives include online safety curriculums, public education, and law enforcement resources to pursue least restrictive options.
HB1658: Representative James Tibo, co-sponsor for HB1650 Support02:32:29.760 - 11:27:30 AM; Representative James Tibo introduces HB1650, the Age Appropriate Design Code Act, on behalf of prime sponsor Representative Lichfield. As a younger person, he highlights social media's addictive algorithms causing excessive screen time, low self-esteem, depression, and suicidality. The bill requires strict default privacy for minor accounts (private profiles, adult access only with permission), limits data collection for algorithms, and sets a duty of care against foreseeable emotional distress or compulsive use. Users can opt out of privacy settings. It addresses AI risks by restricting data usable for training models that create explicit images. He urges ought to pass, open to amendments like prohibiting minor data for AI, and takes questions.
HB1658: Mary Stewart, Assistant Attorney General, Consumer Protection Antitrust Bureau Information Only02:36:22.399 - 11:31:23 AM; Mary Stewart states the Attorney General supports the goals of HB1650 but notes it requires robust rulemaking by the bureau, which wasn't consulted for a fiscal note. Implementation would need additional staff, including a technologist.
HB1658: DJ Burke, Business and Industry Association (BIA), NH State Chamber of Commerce Oppose02:38:13.520 - 11:33:14 AM; DJ Burke opposes HB1650, stating BIA wants no harm to children but believes existing privacy frameworks treat child data as sensitive and are robust. The bill's structure differs philosophically from NH's individual rights-based approach (like a bucket), imposing a filter-like mandate atop it, similar to litigated laws in California, Maryland, and Vermont.
HB1658: David McGary, Taxpayers Protection Alliance Oppose02:40:14.800 - 11:35:15 AM; David McGary opposes HB1650, noting age assurance often becomes verification, raising prior concerns. Vague definitions like 'minimum duty of care' lead to overcompliance and content suppression. It delegates excessive legislative power to rulemaking, which should be handled by elected representatives. Similar bills have been enjoined by federal courts.
HB1658: Stephanie Montero, Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) Oppose02:41:52.960 - 11:36:53 AM; Stephanie Montero opposes HB1650 as drafted, supporting teen protection but criticizing vague terms like 'minimum duty of care,' 'emotional stress,' and 'compulsive use' that create compliance uncertainty and risk over-conservative designs, especially for small businesses. Restricting personalization reduces safety by limiting age-appropriate content filtering and positive communities. One-size-fits-all ignores platform differences. She urges not advancing it, favoring transparency, flexibility, and parental/teen control. Written testimony submitted.
HB1650: Kyle Sepi, Computer & Communications Industry Association Oppose02:43:35.600 - 11:38:36 AM; Kyle Sepi opposes HB1650, citing concerns over freedom of expression and First Amendment issues due to content-based restrictions on how businesses organize and present information. He highlights a provision banning push notifications to minors from midnight to 6 a.m., which would require location tracking, undermining privacy. He notes parental controls as an alternative and contrasts with European laws lacking U.S. constitutional protections. He urges further study or inexpedient to legislate.
HB1650: Patrick Hedger, NetChoice Oppose02:45:53.520 - 11:40:54 AM; Patrick Hedger opposes HB1650 for constitutional defects, privacy, and cybersecurity risks. It mandates censoring protected speech, violating First Amendment rights for adults and minors. Similar laws in other states are enjoined. It forces over-censorship to avoid penalties for 'emotional distress,' removing beneficial content. Age verification requires collecting sensitive data, often not securely deleted, as in the T app breach. It creates honeypots for bad actors via interoperable systems. Better alternatives include law enforcement resources, digital literacy, and parental education.
HB1504: Representative Alexis Simpson, Rockingham District 33 (Newfields, Newmarket, Stratham) Support03:32:53.760 - 12:27:54 PM; Representative Simpson supports HB1504 to protect consumers from price gouging during emergencies like natural disasters or market disruptions. New Hampshire lacks such laws, unlike 37 other states. The bill prohibits excessive prices for necessities post-emergency declaration, applying across the supply chain for up to 45 days. It considers legitimate cost increases and aligns with consumer protection laws, enforced civilly by prosecutors. It targets bad actors without permanent price controls, drawing from other states' models. She welcomes adjustments like the 60-day lookback or 45-day period.
HB1504: Representative Sullivan (questioner) Information Only03:37:50.319 - 12:32:51 PM; Representative Sullivan questions the sponsor on economic literature showing price spikes during emergencies reflect demand increases, not greed, potentially slowing recovery or increasing risks (e.g., Hurricane Rita gas shortages). He asks if the bill addresses this without muting price signals that encourage supply.
HB1504: Representative Ev (questioner) Information Only03:42:48.080 - 12:37:49 PM; Representative Ev questions the sponsor on price signals incentivizing resource allocation (e.g., generators during storms) and the downsides of suppressing them, potentially worsening shortages.
HB1504: Representative Sheresa (questioner) Information Only03:46:03.680 - 12:41:04 PM; Representative Sheresa questions how the bill addresses suppliers charging higher prices and who defines necessary goods and services (noted as Attorney General).
HB1504: Committee Chair (questioner on fiscal note) Information Only03:46:57.840 - 12:41:58 PM; The Chair questions the $230,000 annual fiscal note cost for DOJ preparedness, even without emergencies, surprising the sponsor who expected integration with existing protections.
HB1504: Aubrey Freriedman, Bridgewater Oppose04:09:28.560 - 1:04:29 PM; Aubrey Freriedman opposes HB1504, arguing prices signal needs during shortages, preventing hoarding and encouraging supply (e.g., WWII rationing, 1970s gas lines). 'Unreasonably excessive' is subjective. The bill discourages price adjustments, worsening emergencies by limiting market responses like importing generators.
HB1504: John Reynolds, National Federation of Independent Business Oppose04:13:23.199 - 1:08:24 PM; John Reynolds opposes HB1504, representing small businesses uninterested in exploitation. Concerns include vague 'abnormal market disruption' definitions, lack of safe harbors for pricing considerations, no accounting for pre-event fluctuations, and disparate local enforcement outcomes.
HB1504: Tom Praol, New Hampshire Retail Association Oppose04:15:09.040 - 1:10:10 PM; Tom Praol opposes HB1504 for vague 'unreasonably excessive' definition without historical data benchmarks. 'Abnormal market disruption' could include trade emergencies like tariffs, pressuring retailers.
HB1504: Mike Summers, Lodging and Restaurant Association Oppose04:17:09.439 - 1:12:10 PM; Mike Summers opposes HB1504 for vague 'abnormal market disruption' and 'extraordinary adverse circumstances' open to broad interpretation (e.g., tariffs, inflation). Suppliers could be accused, passing costs to retailers who then face liability despite normal markups.
HB1504: Kevin Dagel, New Hampshire Grocers Association Oppose04:19:12.720 - 1:14:13 PM; Kevin Dagel opposes HB1504 as overly restrictive. Retailers operate on thin margins, passing on wholesale cost increases reluctantly. Shortages prompt supplier price hikes to curb hoarding (e.g., COVID toilet paper). Sourcing alternatives costs more, unavoidably passed on. The bill punishes necessary adjustments, hindering business operations.
HB1339: Janine Nodder, representing town of Merrimac Support03:50:21.439 - 12:45:22 PM; Janine Nodder supports HB1339, citing a constituent denied urgent care at Convenient MD for lacking non-cash payment. Cash is legal tender for all debts. She shares personal anecdotes: a roofer refusing cards to avoid fees, and Dr. Katherine Albrecht's cash-only practice. Businesses should accept cash to avoid excluding cash-reliant people.
HB1339: Representative Patus (questioner) Information Only03:52:31.760 - 12:47:32 PM; Representative Patus shares a story of a credit-card-only parking garage accepting cash after threat of police involvement.
HB1339: Representative Sullivan (questioner) Information Only03:54:28.880 - 12:49:29 PM; Representative Sullivan questions if government should force businesses to accept cash, overriding their decisions.
HB1339: Representative Walter (questioner) Information Only03:55:17.840 - 12:50:18 PM; Representative Walter asks if the urgent care would accept checks and suggests narrowing the bill to state entities.
HB1339: Representative M (questioner) Information Only03:56:23.279 - 12:51:24 PM; Representative M shares a story of a ski resort bar refusing cash, requiring credit cards and leaving cards behind for tabs.
HB1339: Representative Burrows (questioner) Information Only03:57:22.880 - 12:52:23 PM; Representative Burrows questions handling large cash transactions like $10,000 construction bills.
HB1339: Representative Spear (questioner) Information Only03:58:35.760 - 12:53:36 PM; Representative Spear notes state treasurer's reluctance to handle cash due to no safe.
HB1339: Representative Theresa (questioner) Information Only03:58:35.760 - 12:53:36 PM; Representative Theresa suggests businesses avoid cash to reduce accounting costs.
HB1339: Mike Summers, Lodging and Restaurant Association Oppose04:01:39.439 - 12:56:40 PM; Mike Summers opposes HB1339. Restaurants prefer cash, but lodging shifted to contactless during COVID, lacking cash processes, safes, or bank runs. Large hotel bills in cash are problematic; checks are viable via remote deposit. Government intervention harms business-consumer relations. Large cash transactions (e.g., car dealerships) are impractical. Automation reduced labor needs; forcing cash reverses efficiencies.
HB1339: Tom Praol, New Hampshire Retail Association Oppose04:04:14.000 - 12:59:15 PM; Tom Praol opposes HB1339, valuing retailer flexibility. Issues include cashless EV chargers, vending machines, mall kiosks (fraud risk), food trucks/DoorDash, curbside pickup. Other states' laws have extensive exceptions (online sales, ATMs, etc.); New York caps at $20.
HB1339: Selena Frost, Convenient MD Oppose04:06:23.520 - 1:01:24 PM; Selena Frost opposes HB1339 for urgent care safety and operations. Cash handling risks theft, requires storage/transport, staff training, reconciliation—diverting from patient care. Cashless systems enhance efficiency. They accept checks without credit fees but require upfront payment as a private entity, unlike ERs.
HB1339: Committee member (questioner on access) Information Only04:08:21.199 - 1:03:22 PM; A committee member questions if denying cashless patients decreases access to care, noting required credit card upfront leads to denial of service.
HB1262: Representative Janet Lucas, Grafton County District 7 (Campton) Support04:22:45.439 - 1:17:46 PM; Representative Lucas supports HB1262 to add consumer protections for heating oil, kerosene, or propane contracts, including pre-buy fees. Unresolved issues cause property damage, high costs, power loss. Constituents suffered failed deliveries leading to frozen pipes, flooding (photos shared). Non-delivery equates to utility cutoff, life-threatening for vulnerable households. Businesses must fulfill contracts; state privileges require consumer safeguards from negligence.
HB1262: Representative Sullivan (questioner) Information Only04:26:55.040 - 1:21:56 PM; Representative Sullivan questions the problem: abrupt cancellations or delayed/non-deliveries, and if affected parties contacted the company repeatedly.
HB1262: Committee member (questioner on tanks) Information Only04:28:02.880 - 1:23:03 PM; A committee member questions if buried/rented tanks prevent switching providers due to removal costs.
HB1262: Eugenia Snder, Campton NH Support04:29:02.159 - 1:24:03 PM; Eugenia Snder testified about her horrific experience with Amerigas in Campton, NH, where a buried 500-gallon LP tank owned by the company led to fuel shortages during a cold winter. Despite automatic delivery agreements and constant monitoring, Amerigas failed to deliver for 34 days, causing extreme stress, relocation to Maine, and $2,000 in expenses for winterizing, dewinterizing, space heaters, and travel. She highlighted being 'held hostage' by company-owned tanks, as no other providers would deliver to them due to liability, and temporary tanks were unavailable in winter. She emphasized repeated unfulfilled promises via texts and online accounts, poor offshore customer service, and the need for better protections to prevent such failures.
HB1262: Mary Stewart, Assistant Attorney General, Consumer Protection Bureau Support04:40:22.878 - 1:35:23 PM; Mary Stewart from the NH Attorney General's office supported HB1262, noting that 20% of NH households rely on propane—four times the national average—and it's unregulated by the PUC, governed only by RSA 358-A and 359. Complaints about non-delivery, unexpected fees, and tank removal issues are rampant, with 50 complaints and hotline calls this season from providers like Amerigas, Suburban, and others. The bill expands written contract requirements, mandates disclosures, refunds for unused pre-buy fuel, and 60-day tank pickup timelines. She agreed it's a starting point, as non-delivery remains unaddressed, and suggested exploring Vermont's stricter laws (e.g., 20-30 day pickups with penalties) for enforcement ideas. The office often intervenes to secure deliveries.
HB1262: Bob Scully, Propane Gas Association of New England (with Gary Haynes) Oppose04:58:15.200 - 1:53:16 PM; Bob Scully, representing the Propane Gas Association of New England, opposed HB1262, arguing it doesn't address core issues like non-delivery during cold snaps, where drivers work extended hours and will-call customers are deprioritized. He sympathized with the prior testimony but noted the bill focuses on contracts without 'weather permitting' clauses for tank removals, which are impossible in winter snow. With 30-35 propane dealers in NH, complaints (e.g., 48 cited) misrepresent the industry. Gary Haynes explained their role in resolving complaints via coordination with AG offices, addressing communication breakdowns, and helping with runouts due to usage changes or staffing shortages. They offered to collaborate on solutions, like improving consumer awareness of their emergency services (800 number and website), and investigate Vermont's model.
HB1262: Susan (Palmer Gas user) Information Only05:16:26.320 - 2:11:27 PM; Susan briefly mentioned using Palmer Gas without issues, contrasting the negative experiences discussed, and expressed surprise at the lack of communication between stakeholders.

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