Committee Summary for House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (05/13/2025)

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

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB24 00:08:05.720 - 9:08:31 AM	Executive Session	allowing students under age 21 to taste wine in educational settings.	Innis, Daniel(R)[B]2025
SB79 00:10:30.880 - 9:10:56 AM	Executive Session	enabling the use of self-pour automated systems by liquor commission licensees.	Lang, Timothy(R)[B-]2025
SB80 00:11:17.519 - 9:11:43 AM	Executive Session	consolidating licensing, auditing, and enforcement responsibilities for wholesale and retail e-cigarettes sales under the liquor commission.	Lang, Timothy(R)[B-]2025
SB87 2024-XXXXh 00:14:49.240 - 9:15:15 AM	Executive Session	relative to one day liquor license requirements and making salons and barber shops eligible for on-premise licenses.	Watters, David(D)[D-]2025
SB89 00:33:26.519 - 9:33:52 AM	Executive Session	enabling non-citizens who are legally authorized to work in the United States to deliver alcohol.	Ricciardi, Denise(R)[B]2025
SB245 03:13:56.080 - 12:14:22 PM	Public Hearing	prohibiting surprise ambulance billing and regulating ground ambulance reimbursement.	Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2025

SB24: Unnamed Committee Member Vote00:08:05.720 - 9:08:31 AM; The committee discussed Senate Bill 24 and decided to pass it without opposition. Representative Sullivan made the motion to pass, and it was seconded by Representative Patuzek. The vote was unanimous with six in favor and none opposed.
SB79: Unnamed Committee Member Vote00:10:30.880 - 9:10:56 AM; Senate Bill 79 was discussed and passed with no opposition. The motion to pass was made and seconded by Representative Sullivan.
SB80: Unnamed Committee Member Information Only00:11:17.519 - 9:11:43 AM; The committee discussed the potential fiscal implications of Senate Bill 80, questioning whether having responsibilities split between departments would increase costs. It was noted that the role of the Department of Revenue Administration is similar to that for room and meals tax, and beer tax collection is handled by the liquor commission. The discussion highlighted that the liquor commission would be better suited to enforce the regulations, as they are already involved in establishments selling these products. The committee decided to pass the bill with no opposition.
SB87 2024-XXXXh: Unnamed Committee Member Information Only00:14:49.240 - 9:15:15 AM; The committee discussed Senate Bill 87, focusing on the amendment which allows barber shops, salons, and spas to serve free alcohol. The amendment specified the quantity of alcohol that can be served and that it must be free, requiring a nominal fee for registration. There was discussion about enforcement and recordkeeping, with concerns about privacy and the practicality of tracking alcohol served. The committee decided to remove references to alcohol type and quantity from the recordkeeping requirement, opting instead to only require records of patrons served. The committee plans to revisit this amendment in the next session to finalize it.
SB89: Unnamed Committee Member Vote00:33:26.519 - 9:33:52 AM; Senate Bill 89 was discussed and passed unanimously with no opposition. The motion to pass was moved by Representative Burroughs and seconded by Representative Pu.
SB245: Senator Suprena, District 5, representing 15 communities in the Upper Valley, part of Sullivan County, and one town in Merrimack County Support03:13:56.080 - 12:14:22 PM; Senator Suprena, a paramedic with 30 years of experience, introduced Senate Bill 245, the EMS no surprises act and system stabilization act. She emphasized the importance of prohibiting balance billing to protect consumers and stabilize emergency medical services. The bill addresses emergency 911 calls and unscheduled transfers, suggesting a reimbursement rate of either the town set rate or 325% of Medicare if no rate has been set. She discussed her involvement in the national ground ambulance patient billing committee (GAPBAC) and how the bill aligns with the recommendations made to Congress, though she cannot guarantee when Congress will act. She also mentioned the closure of ambulance services in New Hampshire due to under-reimbursement and the need to address this issue to ensure the sustainability of EMS services.
SB245: Jerry Stringham, representing Grafton County 3, Lincoln, Woodstock, and Easton Support03:27:30.640 - 12:27:56 PM; Jerry Stringham, a healthcare reimbursement consultant, supports the passage of Senate Bill 245. He believes the bill makes significant progress by setting a reasonable reimbursement rate based on cost studies and adjustments. He mentioned that while he would have suggested a higher rate of 365% of Medicare, he supports the 325% rate as a compromise that EMS services are willing to accept. He emphasized the importance of reducing balance billing exposure and the ongoing need to address issues like urban vs. rural rates and the implementation of treat no transport.
SB245: Michael Satar, representing the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs, and Fire Chief of the Tilton-Northfield Fire District Support03:32:00.479 - 12:32:26 PM; Michael Satar, representing the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs, expressed support for Senate Bill 245. He emphasized the importance of eliminating balance billing, as long as a reimbursement rate of 325% of Medicare is achieved. He highlighted that fire departments are not making a profit from ambulance services and that any reimbursements help offset tax rates. He believes that the proposed rate will reduce the burden on taxpayers and is becoming more popular across other states.
SB245: Paula Rogers, representing AHIP, America's Health Insurance Plans Information Only03:33:54.560 - 12:34:20 PM; Paula Rogers discussed the historical context of the direct pay to insured and provider law, which was passed in 2011. She highlighted the ongoing discussions and struggles with balance billing and rate setting for non-contracted ambulance providers. She mentioned that insurers, under the invitation of regulators and fire service folks, have engaged in intense discussions over this issue. Rogers also referenced Senate Bill 411, which led to a study, and noted the ongoing challenges and the potential need for another study in the future. She emphasized the necessity for a short-term solution that could be serviceable, acknowledging the complexities and the need for policymakers to address the issue if a resolution is not reached.