Committee Summary for House Finance Division III (03/13/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1705 00:01:30.923 - 8:00:11 AM	General Working Session	establishing an employee assistance program for small town and volunteer first responders and making an appropriation therefor.	Selig, Loren(D)[D-]2025
HB1720 01:01:30.923 - 9:00:11 AM	General Working Session	relative to notice to child day care providers of child care scholarships.	Peternel, Katy(R)[A]2025
HB1809 01:16:30.923 - 9:15:11 AM	General Working Session	authorizing the medical use of psilocybin through a program established in the department of health and human services.	Scherr, Buzz(D)[D-]2025
HB1809 02:14:00.000 - 10:12:41 AM	General Working Session	authorizing the medical use of psilocybin through a program established in the department of health and human services.	Scherr, Buzz(D)[D-]2025

HB1705: Maureen Mooney, Representative, Merrimack Information Only00:01:30.923 - 8:00:11 AM; Introduces the Division 3 work session on March 13, 2026, notes attendance and replacement, confirms proper notice per House Rule 44, outlines agenda to discuss HB 1705, 1720, and 1809 in published order, explains advisory role to full finance, reminds of key dates like March 19 for reporting bills, March 26 crossover, and March 17 full finance meeting, details recommendation options per House Rule 45 including ought to pass, with amendment, inexpedient to legislate, interim study, or table for funding, plans to caucus after discussion for recommendations, asks for comments, notes order of bills, requests pink cards for testimony.
HB1705: Lauren Selage, Representative, Durham Support00:05:00.000 - 8:03:41 AM; Explains this is the second year bringing the bipartisan bill, originally intended for budgeting but sent to Labor Committee which recommended interim study 11-9, overturned in full House 167-174, then ought to pass with amendment 194-154; amendment added $114,000 appropriation at Labor's request to include fiscal note in bill. Describes work with New Hampshire Theater Project's 'Aftermath' performance on PTSD for first responders, hearing stories from small towns like Plymouth, Sunapee, Sullivan, Tamworth, Madbury about trauma exposure equal to larger cities but limited access to mental health care until workers' comp stage. Notes employee assistance programs (EAP) from prior employment provide initial help and referrals remotely or in-person; proposes EAP for ~6,000 volunteer and small town first responders to prevent costlier workers' comp ($10,000-$500,000 per case) by early intervention. Bill uses existing DHHS EAP, may need staffing increase; covers trauma-related issues like substance abuse or gambling as results of trauma. Answers questions on participant numbers (~5,000 volunteers plus small town paid), not all will use, 10% estimate; per person cost better for DHHS; her town provides insurance eligibility but no support heard from responders.
HB1705: John Williams, Legislative Director, DHHS Information Only00:31:30.923 - 8:30:11 AM; Introduces self and Michael Lawless; notes department did not request bill but provides resources and input on implementation, questions, and needed resources. Suggests fixes to bill language on line 5 to insert 'and administer' after 'enroll' for alignment with appropriation and fund establishment. Responds to questions on services: provides brochure on EAP; assesses needs, offers support/referrals for challenges including pre/during/post traumatic events, resiliency, stigma reduction via outreach; not therapy but initial help. On authority: under RSA 126-A:3 and 126-A:5, commissioner can create offices/bureaus like EAP (over 40 years old). On eligibility: as per bill for small towns/volunteers and households, ~5,439 estimated from Dept. of Safety data, fluid number. On Anthem: confirms insurance in assessment but refers to community/nonprofit resources for non-state employees/volunteers.
HB1705: Michael Lawless, Director, Employee Assistance Program, DHHS Information Only00:31:30.923 - 8:30:11 AM; Appreciates opportunity to clarify; describes EAP process: assesses individual challenges for informed support/referrals; plans outreach/education to reduce stigma and build familiarity for first responders. Current model (in brochure) covers vast majority of services, emerging programs for proactive support, resiliency, protective factors; supports pre/during/post events including trauma. On 988 vs. EAP: EAP uses 988 for crises/self-harm as first layer, refers while assisting; EAP not for acute crisis but ongoing, trauma-informed referrals, critical incident stress management (CISM) debriefing (team trained except one), identifies resources for first responders/law enforcement without providing therapy. On utilization/costs: national 3-6%, state >10% due to marketing; current $38.13 per state employee via cost allocation; for this group, new position needed to absorb ~5,439, not per-person full rate to stay under $114,000; team of 7 (one vacant) shares workload, can't be one-person. Services end not hard stop (bridges transitions like layoff/retirement), points retirees to 211/other resources; would need definition for volunteers.
HB1705: Jenny O'Higgins, Legislative Liaison for Behavioral Health, DHHS Information Only00:35:00.000 - 8:33:41 AM; Clarifies 988 as 24/7 call/text/chat center for anyone including first responders on/off duty or for community issues; deescalates acute crises, refers to same/next day mental health appointments or mobile crisis teams, but not for ongoing care, critical incident debrief, or peer support. First responders have additional state police supports for follow-up. 988 trained for special populations like first responders/veterans but not specialized; EAP better for first responder-centered ongoing care post-incident beyond crisis moment.
HB1705: Representative Seaworth Information Only01:58:27.503 - 9:57:08 AM; Representative Seaworth motions for interim study on HB 1705, emphasizing the universal support for helping first responders but concerns about the bill's limited scope, effectiveness, definitions, and placement under workers' comp. She suggests interim study to refine the language for better service provision, noting time constraints before the next session.
HB1705: Representative Waldner Information Only01:58:27.503 - 9:57:08 AM; Representative Waldner suggests pushing the start date to July 1, 2027, to allow preparation time without immediate fiscal impact in the current biennium.
HB1705: Representative Daniels Information Only01:58:27.503 - 9:57:08 AM; Representative Daniels supports pushing the date and favors interim study to address unanswered questions like the number of responders, inclusion of volunteers, existing EAP programs, service duration post-service, and uninsured acceptance.
HB1705: Representative Priest Information Only01:58:27.503 - 9:57:08 AM; Representative Priest agrees with delaying to July 1, 2027, to answer questions and ensure provision of services to volunteers in small towns.
HB1705: Committee Chair Mooney Vote01:58:27.503 - 9:57:08 AM; The committee votes 5-2 in favor of interim study on HB 1705.
HB1720: Brian Clark and Jotham Spreeman, DHHS Information Only01:01:30.923 - 9:00:11 AM; Brian Clark, General Counsel for the Division of Economic Stability, and Jotham Spreeman from DHHS explain that HB 1720 requires notifications to child care providers within three days of scholarship applications, approvals, denials, or withdrawals, primarily via electronic means to replace snail mail. The fiscal note projects $250,000 for system changes in FY27 ($150,000 general fund, $100,000 federal CCDF funds), with no appropriation in the bill, requiring reallocation from existing budgets. They note anecdotal issues where providers front costs for denied applications and that this could help close communication loops, though not necessarily expand child care supply. There are over 700 licensed providers and 5,000 children on scholarships.
HB1720: Representative Papavici-Mueller Support01:01:30.923 - 9:00:11 AM; Representative Papavici-Mueller supports the bill, noting that $150,000-$250,000 for IT changes is plausible based on prior experience and suggests that notifications could reduce provider risks, potentially increasing the number of providers by preventing financial burns.
HB1720: Representative Waldner Oppose01:01:30.923 - 9:00:11 AM; Representative Waldner expresses concern over the $250,000 cost without appropriation, noting strained child care scholarship budgets and potential impact on scholarships (estimating $5,000-$6,000 per child annually).
HB1809: Prime Sponsor (Representative) Support01:16:30.923 - 9:15:11 AM; The prime sponsor explains the bill's background, citing research from Johns Hopkins on psilocybin for PTSD in veterans and sexual abuse victims. He contrasts with Colorado's costly regulatory program and notes New Hampshire's medical marijuana model won't self-fund due to low volume. The bill proposes an advisory council for thoughtful development over years, including experts from other states, and a narrow pilot for medical providers growing their own mushrooms. Fiscal note is $225,000 for two DHHS positions; advisory council alone would be $125,000. He offers an amendment to limit to advisory council, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and potential benefits for treatment-resistant conditions without state payment for therapy.
HB1809: Jenny O'Higgins and Abby Rogers, DHHS Information Only01:31:30.923 - 9:30:11 AM; Jenny O'Higgins, Legislative Liaison for Behavioral Health, and Abby Rogers, for Public Health, provide neutral information on HB 1809, noting no position but highlighting the need for appropriation (not in bill) and evolving clinical evidence requiring more trials. They estimate minimum two positions ($225,000+ indeterminable costs), with advisory council needing one ($114,000 in FY27). They stress legal uncertainties as Schedule I substance, liability risks, and suggest a study committee for exploration without full administration.
HB1809: Representative Priest Oppose01:16:30.923 - 9:15:11 AM; Representative Priest questions priority over cuts to school vaccinations and rural health, citing $250,000 fiscal note and unprogrammed therapy costs, calling it outrageous for an experimental, non-FDA approved drug amid DHHS budget cuts.
HB1809: Representative Seaworth Support01:31:30.923 - 9:30:11 AM; Representative Seaworth appreciates the cautious approach and suggests limiting to advisory council to halve funding, noting the bill's distinct parts allow flexibility.
HB1809: Representative Waldner Information Only01:31:30.923 - 9:30:11 AM; Representative Waldner confirms no appropriation and seeks alternative funding sources, noting it's not budgeted.
HB1809: Representative Papavici-Mueller Information Only01:31:30.923 - 9:30:11 AM; Representative Papavici-Mueller questions restriction to natural psilocybin over synthetic, which might be cheaper, and the sponsor explains regulatory issues favor the narrow natural approach.
HB1809: Representative Nellevanco Oppose02:14:00.000 - 10:12:41 AM; Made the motion to find HB 1809-FN inexpedient to legislate. Expressed interest in referring the bill to the Health and Human Services committee for further study if procedurally possible and sought clarification on whether approving ITL would prevent a subsequent high-priority motion to commit on the House floor.
HB1809: Representative Daniels Oppose02:15:00.000 - 10:13:41 AM; Supported the motion to ITL, concurring with concerns about prioritizing other issues like vaccines over an experimental psilocybin program, and citing the Department of Health and Human Services' comments on inability to implement without appropriation, need for additional study, requirement for an initial position, over 200 vacant positions, and unknown funding source.
HB1809: Madam Chair Oppose02:16:00.000 - 10:14:41 AM; Facilitated discussion on the ITL motion for HB 1809-FN, expressing concerns about the bill given the strained Department of Health and Human Services and reluctance to replace the former PDAB program with this one. Provided extensive procedural guidance, including options for a floor motion to commit to HHS, the example of HB 661 being recommitted and amended successfully, challenges with passed deadlines requiring rule suspensions for HHS to act, and ultimately called the roll, resulting in a 4-3 vote in favor of ITL.
HB1809: Representative Wallner Information Only02:17:00.000 - 10:15:41 AM; Suggested an interim study to address unanswered questions about the bill, noting its complexity exceeded the time available in the short Division III hearing and that more discussion occurred here than in the HHS public hearing which had limited testimony. Later questioned the role and options for the HHS committee if committed past their deadline.
HB1809: Representative Seaworth Information Only02:18:00.000 - 10:16:41 AM; Inquired about consensus in the committee to continue discussing the bill into the summer and fall, implying support for further study. Later explained key procedural differences from the HB 661 case, emphasizing that deadlines have expired, requiring suspensions of rules for HHS to receive and act on a recommitted bill, potentially complicating the process to the point the House might reject it.
HB1809: Representative Priest Information Only02:19:00.000 - 10:17:41 AM; Inquired why the bill could not be referred back to the Health and Human Services committee for further study, pointing out the sponsor's recommended amendment addressed some concerns and that fiscal impacts could be reviewed afterward.
HB1809: Representative Popovich-Mueller Information Only02:24:00.000 - 10:22:41 AM; As someone new to such House rules scenarios, expressed concern that voting ITL then attempting a commit motion might confuse the House, and proposed instead voting for interim study now and suggesting on the floor that the policy committee (HHS) handle the study.