Committee Summary for House Finance Division III (05/22/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB118 2345H 00:07:40.880 - 1:37:06 PM	General Working Session	(Second New Title) relative to the personal needs allowance of residents of nursing homes; making an appropriation to the department of health and human services for Hampstead hospital and residential treatment facility staff; establishing the Hampstead hospital and residential treatment facility capital investment fund; and permitting qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use.	Birdsell, Regina(R)[B-]2025
SB118 2345H 00:27:15.919 - 1:56:41 PM	Executive Session	(Second New Title) relative to the personal needs allowance of residents of nursing homes; making an appropriation to the department of health and human services for Hampstead hospital and residential treatment facility staff; establishing the Hampstead hospital and residential treatment facility capital investment fund; and permitting qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use.	Birdsell, Regina(R)[B-]2025

SB118 2345H: Representative Moren Mooney, Vice Chair of Division 3, House Finance Information Only00:07:40.880 - 1:37:06 PM; Representative Mooney opened the work session of Division 3 in House Finance on Senate Bill 118, noting the absence of the chairman and LBA. He mentioned the previous work session on the bill and the need to come to a recommendation before the upcoming deadlines, which include reporting to full finance by May 28th and the last day to act on Senate bills being June 5th. He outlined the options for the bill, including passing it as is, ITLing it, retaining it, or amending it.
SB118 2345H: Marissa Hen, Deputy Commissioner at DHS Information Only00:11:23.839 - 1:40:49 PM; Marissa Hen explained the history and current situation regarding Hamstead Hospital, detailing the transitions from a private for-profit hospital to state ownership and then to a lease agreement with Dartmouth Health. She clarified the bonuses for employees, noting that these were committed to maintain staffing levels to prevent a worsening of the emergency department boarding crisis for children. She also mentioned the accrued time that some employees lost during transitions and the efforts to make them whole.
SB118 2345H: Representative Moren Mooney Support00:15:51.600 - 1:45:17 PM; Representative Mooney proposed amendment 2345H, which would revert Senate Bill 118 to its original Senate version, excluding the House amendment related to cannabis home growth for therapeutic purposes. He argued that this would increase the chances of the bill being signed into law, as the current version with the cannabis amendment might face a veto from the governor. He emphasized that sections 1 through 5 of the bill, which deal with financial matters related to Hamstead Hospital, are crucial and should be preserved.
SB118 2345H: Representative Stringham Support00:18:32.559 - 1:47:58 PM; Representative Stringham expressed support for the original bill due to its bipartisan support but also stated he would support the bill as amended back to the Senate version, believing it would likely be signed into law by the governor.
SB118 2345H: Representative Terski Oppose00:19:38.799 - 1:49:04 PM; Representative Terski expressed discomfort with the proposed amendment, questioning the role of the finance committee in undoing what the Health and Human Services Committee had done. He highlighted the unanimous vote and lack of opposition when the bill was on the consent calendar, suggesting that the committee should not undo what the House had previously approved.
SB118 2345H: Representative Nelleno Oppose00:19:38.799 - 1:49:04 PM; Representative Nelleno disagreed with Representative Terski, noting that the cannabis amendment was voted on as a standalone issue by the House. He expressed concern about piggybacking unrelated issues onto bills.
SB118 2345H: Representative McGuire Oppose00:20:50.400 - 1:50:16 PM; Representative McGuire argued that strategic considerations are fair game in committee decisions and expressed his preference for the bill without the amendment. He discussed the close vote in the Senate on House Bill 53, suggesting that combining it with other favorable sections might sway the Senate's decision. He also shared a personal anecdote about a court case in Barnstead to illustrate public support for home cannabis growth for personal use.
SB118 2345H: Representative Moren Mooney Support00:24:30.320 - 1:53:56 PM; Representative Mooney reiterated his support for the amendment, arguing that sections 1 through 5 of the bill are within the purview of Division 3's financial responsibilities. He emphasized the importance of these sections and the committee's role in ensuring they are preserved in the bill.
SB118 2345H: Representative Stringham Support00:26:30.720 - 1:55:56 PM; Representative Stringham made a motion to pass Senate Bill 118 as amended by the Senate with amendment 1871, clarifying that it was an OTP (Ought to Pass) motion for the House version of the bill.
SB118 2345H: Representative Walner Vote00:27:15.919 - 1:56:41 PM; Voted yes on the motion to pass Senate Bill 118.
SB118 2345H: Representative Terski Vote00:27:15.919 - 1:56:41 PM; Voted yes on the motion to pass Senate Bill 118.
SB118 2345H: Clerk Vote00:27:15.919 - 1:56:41 PM; Voted no on the motion to pass Senate Bill 118.
SB118 2345H: Representative Seaworth Vote00:27:15.919 - 1:56:41 PM; Voted yes on the motion to pass Senate Bill 118.
SB118 2345H: Representative Daniels Vote00:27:15.919 - 1:56:41 PM; Voted no on the motion to pass Senate Bill 118.
SB118 2345H: Representative Mooney Vote00:27:15.919 - 1:56:41 PM; Voted no on the motion to pass Senate Bill 118.
SB118 2345H: Representative McGuire Vote00:27:15.919 - 1:56:41 PM; Voted yes on the motion to pass Senate Bill 118.
SB118 2345H: Chairman Information Only00:27:15.919 - 1:56:41 PM; Announced the result of the vote on Senate Bill 118 as six to three in favor of ought to pass (OTP). Discussed the need for point people to represent both sides of the argument for Senate Bill 118 when it goes to the full finance committee. Assigned Representative Seaworth as the point person for the majority and Representative Daniels for the minority, suggesting they prepare reports for the executive session.
SB118 2345H: Representative Nellano Information Only00:29:32.399 - 1:58:58 PM; Inquired about the timing of the report submission, noting that it would typically be due on May 28th for the full finance committee meeting. Discussed the continuity of the point people for the report.
SB118 2345H: Representative Stringham Information Only00:30:18.720 - 1:59:44 PM; Expressed gratitude to Representative Magguire for joining and filling in during the session, and for not submitting a lengthy amendment.