Committee Summary for House Finance (02/02/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1566 00:00:51.600 - 8:59:37 AM	Public Hearing	making a contingent appropriation to the department of health and human services for the purpose of providing recruitment and benefit grants to child care employers.	Wallner, Mary Jane(D)[F]2025
HB1569 00:45:12.000 - 9:43:58 AM	Public Hearing	repealing the directive that the state sell the Anna Philbrook Center for Children property in Concord.	Wallner, Mary Jane(D)[F]2025
HB1750 01:13:45.199 - 10:12:31 AM	Public Hearing	making a supplemental appropriation to the department of health and human services for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).	Pearson, Mark(R)[B]2025
HB1399 01:37:10.000 - 10:35:56 AM	Public Hearing	making an appropriation to the Claremont school district for costs associated with a building renovation project from the revenue stabilization reserve account.	Damon, Hope(D)[CT]2025
HB1411 03:03:44.080 - 12:02:30 PM	Public Hearing	directing the state treasurer to withhold payments owed by the state to the federal government where the state has been deprived of federal aid as a result of presidential executive order.	Simpson, Alexis(D)[CT]2025

HB1566: Representative Mary Jane Walner Support00:00:51.600 - 8:59:37 AM; Representative Walner introduced HB1566, explaining it provides a contingent $15 million appropriation from general funds if TANF funds cannot be used for child care workforce recruitment and retention grants. She detailed the budget history, federal approval issues, and the child care crisis in NH, citing a 13% drop in licensed capacity from 2017-2024 and an 8% workforce reduction in one year. Empty classrooms due to staffing shortages are exacerbating waitlists, and the bill is crucial for families, businesses, and providers. She answered committee questions on licensing, funding uses, oversight, and potential impact on child care slots.
HB1566: Karen Hebert, Director, Division of Economic Stability, DHHS Information Only00:16:27.920 - 9:15:13 AM; Hebert summarized HB1566's $7.5 million per year TANF appropriation for child care recruitment and retention, contingent on federal approval, otherwise using general funds. She explained TANF's four purposes and federal responses indicating direct bonuses to workers do not qualify, as TANF must benefit needy families. NH already transfers $21 million TANF to CCDF for scholarships and quality activities. She reported on the prior biennium's program success: 438 grantees, 100% funds expended, used for retention incentives (80%), training (48%), staff child care (48%), and more. Answered questions on fund uses, overlaps with TANF eligibility, and program outcomes.
HB1566: Jackie Cowell, Early Learning New Hampshire Support00:32:39.760 - 9:31:25 AM; Cowell expressed strong support for HB1566 as a bipartisan contingency plan, noting unanimous votes last year for $15 million in workforce grants. She highlighted business endorsements from chambers of commerce and BIA, a letter with 1,681 signatories, and success stories like improved retention rates from 55% to 85% at one provider. Emphasized the grants' value in stabilizing child care without raising tuition burdens on families.
HB1566: Liz Belceto, Waypoint Support00:36:00.000 - 9:34:46 AM; Belceto, representing the nonprofit Waypoint serving 12,000 NH individuals, shared their history in child care since 1852 and challenges restarting in 2020. She stressed workforce shortages force tough decisions, closing classrooms and limiting family choices. HB1566 addresses the root cause by investing in staff retention and recruitment, urging passage to maintain local programs and ratios.
HB1566: Deb Gallipo, Executive Director, Granite YMCA Early Learning Centers Support00:38:29.359 - 9:37:15 AM; Gallipo supported HB1566 on behalf of NH YMCAs, warning that without grants, programs must raise tuition, burdening families already at financial limits, leading to closed classrooms. She described their Manchester training program but noted retention requires wage and benefit increases. The $15 million is essential for stabilizing child care, supporting children, families, employers, and the economy.
HB1566: Maryanne Barter, Executive Director, Belly Daycare Service Support00:40:44.000 - 9:39:30 AM; Barter endorsed HB1566, sharing that prior $15 million grants allowed raising minimum wage from $15 to $18/hour across five centers, attracting stronger, enthusiastic teachers. She emphasized building baseline staff into professionals and shared an impact story of a long-term teacher earning under $20/hour while raising two children in NH's high-cost environment.
HB1566: Megan Braybeck, Save the Children Action Network Support00:42:08.400 - 9:40:54 AM; Megan Braybeck expressed strong support for HB1566, highlighting a statewide poll conducted by Republican and Democratic firms that showed 86% of New Hampshire voters view the child care program as a good investment of taxpayer dollars. The poll spanned diverse demographics, including men without children, and emphasized child care's role as crucial for recruiting businesses and supporting the state's economy. She noted broad voter support across the state.
HB1569: Representative Mary Jane Walner Support00:45:12.000 - 9:43:58 AM; Representative Walner sponsored HB1569 to repeal the sale of the Anna Filbrook Center, built in the 1960s and named after child psychiatrist Dr. Anna Filbrook. The center provided children's residential mental health services until the early 2000s, then served as office space and now houses a 16-bed transitional housing program for people leaving New Hampshire Hospital. She criticized the last-minute insertion of the sale into House Bill 2 without public hearing or oversight, noting its role in Mission Zero to reduce emergency room waits. The center's location on state land near New Hampshire Hospital makes it valuable for future housing needs.
HB1569: Susan Sterns, Executive Director, NAMI New Hampshire, resident of Seabrook Support00:52:33.920 - 9:51:19 AM; Susan Sterns urged support for HB1569, providing historical context: the center's closure in 2010 led to losing 24 children's beds and 48 adult beds at New Hampshire Hospital, exacerbating emergency department boarding since 2012. Renovations and the transitional housing program have aided Mission Zero progress, reducing wait times from four days to two by end of 2025. She highlighted the need for community-based services and housing; moving the 16 beds results in a net loss, as the new site in Newport is from existing inventory. With one in five Granite Staters affected by mental illness, selling the center risks setbacks, increasing emergency visits, homelessness, and costs. NAMI recommends ought to pass.
HB1569: Katya Fox, Director of the Division for Behavioral Health, DHHS; Ellen LaPoint, CEO, New Hampshire Hospital Information Only01:00:14.720 - 9:59:00 AM; Katya Fox and Ellen LaPoint provided information on the Anna Filbrook Center. The 16-bed transitional housing program, started during the pandemic, was temporary and contracted to NFI North in 2023. A procurement for 92 community beds (including these 16) is underway, with one bid received; no beds will be lost, but they will relocate. HB2 requires a transition plan to DAS before sale, with right of first refusal offers pending. The building also houses 45 NH Hospital staff; relocation is planned. The 2023 ED boarding spike was due to a pipe burst and renovations, now resolved with full 185-bed capacity. They clarified no additional costs for relocation within the 92-bed budget, and the center is not ideal for long-term housing.
HB1750: Representative Mark Pearson Support01:13:45.199 - 10:12:31 AM; Representative Pearson sponsored HB1750 at the request of Senator Gray and DHHS to address a SNAP budget shortfall from reduced federal matching funds. SNAP aids low-income families to reduce food insecurity, promoting health and preventing costlier issues. The federal-state split for administrative costs shifts from 50/50 to 75/25% effective October 1, 2026.
HB1750: Karen Hebert, Division Director for Economic Stability, DHHS Support01:16:40.800 - 10:15:26 AM; Karen Hebert supported HB1750, explaining SNAP serves 75,000 individuals in 43,000 households with average $300 monthly allotments via EBT cards. It generates $158 million annually, accepted at over 1,000 stores and markets, and impacts funding for school lunch, education aid, and child care. Federal changes in HR1 include eligibility shifts (e.g., work requirements for veterans, homeless, foster youth; ineligibility for refugees, asylees) and deductions (e.g., no internet utility). Administrative costs are $24.6 million yearly; state share rises from $12.3 million (50%) to $16.9 million (75%) for FY27, requiring $4.6 million more. Error rates above 6% could add benefit cost penalties. Utilization is steady; recent fiscal committee funds supported food pantries during shutdown, partially used before federal resumption.
HB1750: Megan Braybeck, Save the Children Action Network, resident of Newmarket Support01:29:32.159 - 10:28:18 AM; Megan Braybeck supported HB1750 to bridge federal funding gaps for SNAP, noting one in nine NH residents (one in seven children) face food insecurity. Nearly 40% of recipients are children; pandemic increases reduced child food insufficiency by 20%. State investment sustains child health, education, and productivity, avoiding costlier interventions.
HB1750: Laura Miliken, Executive Director, New Hampshire Hunger Solutions Support01:31:36.239 - 10:30:22 AM; Laura Miliken supported HB1750, which maintains SNAP without expansion amid shifted costs. SNAP injects $158 million into local grocers and farmers, generating up to $1.80 economic benefit per dollar. Shutdown lines overwhelmed pantries (SNAP provides 9 meals per 1 pantry meal); underfunding risks error rate penalties above 6%, adding benefit costs. It protects residents, supports economy, and ensures fiscal stability.
HB1399: Representative Hope Damon, representing Sullivan District 8 including Claremont Support01:37:10.000 - 10:35:56 AM; Representative Damon introduced HB1399 requesting $5 million partial building aid for Stevens High School in Claremont, built in 1868. A 2009 $23 million upgrade failed; moratorium from 2010 blocked 60% state aid ($7.5 million). A $12.5 million downscaled project was approved in 2012 without aid, funded by 20-year bond ending 2033, costing $5.98 million in interest and raising taxes profoundly. Issues included asbestos, disrepair, poor security, unreliable boilers, and probationary accreditation by New England Association of Schools and Colleges, at risk of loss without repairs. Pre-2010 aid was 30-60% based on need and ability to pay; moratorium halted applications. HB1399 seeks partial restitution for moratorium's impact on high-tax, low-wealth district.
HB1399: Representative Hope Damon, Sullivan District 8 including Claremont Support01:46:41.920 - 10:45:27 AM; Responds to committee questions about accreditation risks, state funding implications, and the use of the $5 million appropriation. Clarifies that renovations were completed in 2015, the school is accredited, and the funds would address ongoing bond payments without state support, easing fiscal burdens in a poorly funded district. Notes educational needs and potential for a draft proposal on fund usage, possibly for operating expenses or bond paydown.
HB1399: Representative Michael Cahill, Rockingham District 10 including Newfields and Newmarket Support01:57:39.040 - 10:56:25 AM; Supports HB1399 but proposes a lower-cost alternative of $3.7 million (half of the eligible $7 million school building aid) retroactively for projects during the moratorium due to the 2008 recession. Highlights Claremont's eligibility for 60% aid as a poor district and how lack of aid contributed to fiscal challenges. Suggests applying the formula to other districts over time, criticizes amnesty programs, and advocates for relief to taxpayers who paid high property taxes.
HB1399: Representative Eileen Kelly, Merrimack County District 8 including Bradford, Henniker, and Warner Support02:02:48.880 - 11:01:34 AM; As co-sponsor, emphasizes the unfortunate timing for Claremont: the 2010 bond for Stevens High School renovation failed by one vote, the moratorium on school building aid started in 2011, and a smaller bond passed in 2013 without state aid despite 60% eligibility. Argues passing HB1399 would help taxpayers, families, students, and the community by providing the missed aid.
HB1399: Charlene Lovett, former Mayor of Claremont Support02:05:08.880 - 11:03:54 AM; Emphasizes the difficult decision to proceed with the 2013 renovation without state aid due to accreditation risks (from warning in 2010 to probationary in 2012). Highlights Claremont's limited tax base but willingness to invest, as shown by 63% voter approval and other projects to grow the tax base. Notes the recent $5 million deficit was a management issue, not taxpayer fault, and community rallied to fund extracurriculars despite cuts. Views HB1399 as support for strategic investments, enabling overcoming challenges like the state championship win.
HB1399: Timothy Carney, Bureau of School Facilities, NH Department of Education Information Only02:10:53.440 - 11:09:39 AM; Tim Carney introduced himself as the administrator of the Bureau of School Facilities for the New Hampshire Department of Education. He noted that the bill does not currently include Department of Education involvement but offered to answer questions about school building aid.
HB1411: Representative Alexa Simpson, Rockingham District 33 Support03:03:44.080 - 12:02:30 PM; Representative Simpson introduced HB1411, explaining that it allows the state treasurer to temporarily withhold state payments to the federal government if federal funds approved by Congress are frozen by executive order or in contravention of a court order. She cited real examples of federal funding freezes affecting New Hampshire, including Medicaid, education, TRIO and Gear Up programs, mental health treatment, child care, and EPA grants. These disruptions harmed schools, providers, students, and families. The bill ensures accountability by holding withheld funds in escrow dollar-for-dollar until federal funds are released, preventing New Hampshire from bearing the full burden. She emphasized it's fiscal self-defense, not retaliation, and detailed potential escrow sources like payroll taxes and program payments. Simpson urged an 'ought to pass' recommendation to protect Granite Staters from ongoing federal unpredictability.

Weyler, Kenneth(Chairman)(R)[A-]2025	Griffin, Gerald(Clerk)(R)[A-]2025	McGuire, Dan(V Chairman)(R)[A]2025
Wallner, Mary Jane(D)[F]2025	Daniels, Gary(R)[A-]2025	Leishman, Peter(D)[D-]2025
McGuire, Carol(R)[A+]2025	Ebel, Karen(D)[F]2025	Muns, Chris(D)[CT]2025
Sweeney, Joe(R)[A]2025	Seaworth, Brian(R)[A-]2025	Preece, David(D)[CT]2025
Nalevanko, Rich(R)[B+]2025	Mooney, Maureen(R)[B+]2025	Murray, Kate(D)[F]2025
Cambrils, Jose(R)[B+]2025	Popovici-Muller, Daniel(R)[A-]2025	Rung, Rosemarie(D)[CT]2025
Bean, Harry(R)[B+]2025	Kelly, Eileen(D)[F]2025	Hakken-Phillips, Mary(D)[F]2025
Telerski, Laura(D)[CT]2025	Stringham, Jerry(D)[D-]2025	Erf, Keith(R)[A]2025
Farrington, Samuel(R)[A+]2025