Committee Summary for House Executive Departments and Administration (02/02/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1458,HB1469 00:19:50.160 - 10:14:41 AM	General Working Session	relative to the licensing of massage reflexology structural initiation, and Asian bodywork facilities; relative to the licensing and inspections requirements for massage therapy establishments and making an appropriation	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #

HB1458,HB1469: Committee Chair Information Only00:19:50.160 - 10:14:41 AM; The chair opens the work session on HB 1458 and HB 1469, both addressing massage facility licensing to combat human trafficking. Distributes documents: one on structural issues in HB 1469 referencing outdated statutes, and another summarizing recent anti-trafficking laws including protections for victims, increased penalties, no-knock warrants, and definitions. Discusses existing statutes on kidnapping, false imprisonment, fraud, and OPLC's investigative powers under RSA 310. Emphasizes the need to educate law enforcement on these tools and ensure new bills integrate well. Outlines federal efforts and stresses coordination with international partners.
HB1458,HB1469: Executive Director D. Jurus Information Only00:20:48.000 - 10:15:39 AM; Provides notes on HB 1469's redundancies and structural issues, recommending alignment with RSA 310 for consistency. Explains OPLC's standardized two-year license renewal from issuance date to even out workload and simplify budgeting, striking outdated birth month provisions. Notes that fees are set by rules, not statute, and opposes reducing massage establishment fees as it would burden other licensees. Clarifies that dual-licensed facilities (e.g., cosmetology and massage) require separate licenses with distinct inspections. Addresses grandfathering challenges, suggesting municipal permits remain irrelevant to state licensing process. Recommends not preempting all municipal authority, allowing additional local permits.
HB1458,HB1469: Representative Groa Information Only00:30:01.360 - 10:24:52 AM; Acknowledges existing laws but notes gaps allowing illicit practices to persist, advocating for more tools like those in the bills. Supports aligning with RSA 310 and OPLC rules. Questions inspector language in 328-H:9 for consistency with other inspections and seeks clarity on post-inspection steps, suggesting reference to standard OPLC processes. Proposes making municipal licenses void after a set date (e.g., July 1) while preserving local ordinance authority for business management. Emphasizes not negating municipal regulatory power.
HB1458,HB1469: Representative Droy Information Only00:31:29.200 - 10:26:20 AM; Expresses concern over adding bureaucracy given existing laws, urging input from police on enforcement barriers. Worries new layers might not help victims without addressing implementation issues.
HB1458,HB1469: Representative Schmidt Information Only00:52:47.440 - 10:47:38 AM; Supports spreading out license renewals to avoid workload clumps, appreciating the two-year issuance model for steady staff work. Notes some clustering persists due to graduation seasons but overall improvement.
HB1458,HB1469: Representative Bailey Oppose00:59:22.160 - 10:54:13 AM; Raises concerns about lacking expertise requirements for managers, noting one can own without being licensed, similar to cosmetology but risky for deterring criminals. Questions the bill's purpose if not enforcing expertise, viewing it as a Fourth Amendment workaround for police entry rather than genuine licensing. Sees repeated reviews without addressing core issues of illicit operations evading laws.
HB1458,HB1469: Representative GA Support01:04:08.160 - 10:58:59 AM; Defends licensing establishments like cosmetology for hygiene and public safety reasons, applicable to massage to prevent abuse. Argues it fits with other OPLC-regulated businesses despite illicit uses.
HB1458,HB1469: Representative GA Information Only01:05:38.880 - 11:00:29 AM; Continued discussion on the components of massage facility inspections, emphasizing the importance of ensuring licensed therapists, hygienic procedures, and the ability for OPLC inspectors to check licenses without implying illicit use. Explained differences in reprimands for minor vs. major violations. Addressed concerns about Fourth Amendment workarounds by clarifying that inspections are for public safety and not police entry without cause. Noted exemptions for certain health facilities under RSA 151:2 and suggested language to exclude chiropractors and wellness offices. Discussed aligning effective date with budget cycle for better fee setting. Responded to questions on non-practitioner owners requiring licensed managers, fiscal impacts, complaint handling, and in-home massage scenarios. Proposed separating operator licensing in HB 1458 from facility licensing in HB 1469 to reduce costs.
HB1458,HB1469: Executive Director, OPLC Information Only01:08:04.799 - 11:02:55 AM; Provided context on exemptions for residential care facilities under RSA 151:2. Discussed fiscal note details, estimating biennial costs around $600,000 for staffing and inspections, tripling current expenditures from $260,000. Noted 2,091 active massage therapist licenses with current fees at $121, projecting increases to $360-$500 per therapist or higher for establishments. Explained inspection fees similar to cosmetology ($100), limited current staff (one inspector for 3,000 shops), and potential absorption of simpler licensing in HB 1458 without routine inspections. Stated complaints can be filed now but require names; 13 complaints in 2025. Clarified that in-home care might not be covered and could lead to unlicensed practice if not sole proprietor.
HB1458,HB1469: Representative Schmidt Information Only01:10:51.920 - 11:05:42 AM; Raised concerns about costs to licensees, potential fee increases, and need for estimates on massage establishments. Questioned requirements for trained personnel on premises, drawing parallels to untrained salon workers. Inquired about in-home massages for bedridden patients and hotel-based services, suggesting exemptions to avoid unintended consequences. Noted vital health benefits of therapeutic massage and challenges in regulating mobile services.
HB1458,HB1469: Representative Bailey Information Only01:10:05.840 - 11:04:56 AM; Asked about aligning effective date with July 1 for budget alignment and fee accuracy. Questioned non-practitioner owners and shop operations without trained staff.
HB1458,HB1469: Representative Groa Information Only01:10:05.840 - 11:04:56 AM; Agreed to look into language excluding chiropractors and wellness offices from facility licensing.
HB1458,HB1469: Representative Droy Information Only01:21:27.840 - 11:16:18 AM; Emphasized that the program must be self-funding through fees, not taxpayer dollars.
HB1458,HB1469: Representative Sers Information Only01:21:27.840 - 11:16:18 AM; Sought clarification on funding, personnel needs, and number of massage locations vs. cosmetology shops. Noted limited staff and need for estimates on establishments.
HB1458,HB1469: Representative Greta Information Only01:32:13.199 - 11:27:04 AM; Questioned complaint processes and need for names to follow up, using example of unsanitary conditions.
HB1458,HB1469: Chief George Foli, Derry Police (on behalf of NH Association of Chiefs of Police) Support01:35:08.880 - 11:29:59 AM; Testified on challenges in enforcing against illicit massage businesses without victims, citing six closures in Derry last year, with one reopening elsewhere. Advocated for state regulation via HB 1469 to prevent businesses from moving unchecked, rejecting Fourth Amendment workaround claims. Supported background checks (state-level, fingerprint-based), tax ID/SSN verification, and English proficiency for operators to identify criminals. Noted language barriers and syndicate operations. Explained difficulties in prosecution due to victim reluctance and mobility; regulation enables inspections revealing code violations (e.g., living conditions). Stated local ordinances could be abandoned with state regulation. Confirmed partnerships with federal task forces but no federal charges in recent cases.
HB1458,HB1469: Representative Salers Information Only01:41:32.239 - 11:36:23 AM; Expressed concerns about data retention from background checks and fingerprints for honest applicants, comparing to volunteer checks. Suggested setting disqualifying offenses (e.g., prostitution, trafficking) in rules.
HB1458,HB1469: Representative Day Information Only01:51:38.480 - 11:46:29 AM; Suggested federal involvement like ICE or Homeland Security for trafficking cases.
HB1458,HB1469: Madam Chair Information Only01:05:38.880 - 11:00:29 AM; Facilitated discussion, sought specifics on background checks, tax ID, English requirements, and inspection authority. Noted upcoming commission meeting and work session continuation. Recessed session until after commission.
HB1458,HB1469: Madam Chair Information Only03:35:48.880 - 1:30:39 PM; The Chair notes that the commission ran for quite a while and there are not many people left. She thanks everyone who stayed and announces that the next meeting will be at 10 o'clock on Wednesday morning for notice bills.

Layon, Erica(Chairman)(R)[A+]2025	Sytek, John(Clerk)(R)[B-]2025	Slottje, Jeremy(V Chairman)(R)[A+]2025
Schmidt, Peter(D)[F]2025	Thibault, James(R)[A]2025	Howard, Heath(D)[F]2025
Sellers, John(R)[A-]2025	de Vries, Erica(D)[CT]2025	Dargie, Paul(D)[F]2025
Davis, Fred(D)[D-]2025	Bailey, Glenn(R)[A+]2025	Kelley, Diane(R)[A-]2025
Pearson, Stephen(R)[B-]2025	Grote, Jaci(D)[CT]2025	Long, Patrick(D)[D]2025
DeRoy, Susan(R)[A-]2025