Committee Summary for House Legislative Administration (01/23/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
Unclear 00:06:00.680 - 9:05:06 AM	General Working Session	Unclear
HB347 03:19:35.279 - 12:18:41 PM	General Working Session	relative to protection of employment for members of the general court.	Lloyd, Christal(D)[F]2025
HB315 03:35:12.600 - 12:34:18 PM	Public Hearing	prohibiting employees of state agencies from knowingly providing false information to a legislative committee.	Potenza, Kelley(R)[A]2025
HB456 04:05:26.520 - 1:04:32 PM	Public Hearing	(New Title) prohibiting the use of certain local funds for lobbying.	Potenza, Kelley(R)[A]2025

Unclear: Representative Greg Hill, Chairman Information Only00:06:00.680 - 9:05:06 AM; Representative Greg Hill, the chairman, opened the session by welcoming members and providing an overview of the committee. He highlighted the experience of the committee members, including Vice Chair Vanessa Sheen, and introduced the new clerk from Edna. He emphasized the committee's non-partisan approach and focus on the merits of legislation, aiming to enhance the operation of the New Hampshire legislature. He also mentioned the committee's tendency to have many bills on the consent calendar, reflecting their collaborative work style.
Unclear: Representative Vanessa Sheen, Vice Chair Information Only01:20:28.520 - 10:19:34 AM; Vice Chair Vanessa Sheen introduced herself, noting this was her third term in the legislature and her third term on the Legislative Administration Committee. She expressed her commitment to using time efficiently and apologized in advance for any scheduling conflicts that might arise due to her efforts to keep the committee's schedule uniform.
Unclear: Representative Len Turcot Information Only01:12:46.880 - 10:11:52 AM; Representative Len Turcot introduced himself, mentioning it was his fifth term and that he had previously served on various committees including Labor, Finance, and Municipal and County. He joined the Legislative Administration Committee upon the request of Representative Hill, citing its lighter workload.
Unclear: Representative Carrie Senson Information Only01:13:32.800 - 10:12:38 AM; Representative Carrie Senson, representing Portsmouth, introduced herself as a first-term representative. She chose to be on the Legislative Administration Committee to learn more about legislative operations and because it fit her schedule as a new mother and full-time worker.
Unclear: Representative Beth Richards Information Only01:15:05.600 - 10:14:11 AM; Representative Beth Richards, in her fifth term and third term on the committee, introduced herself. She represents Concord and owns a business in Hopkinton. She expressed interest in potentially providing lunch services to the committee from her business.
Unclear: Representative Alice Way Information Only01:16:40.520 - 10:15:46 AM; Representative Alice Way, a first-term representative from Dover, introduced herself. She works as an aerospace engineer and chose the Legislative Administration Committee due to its lower workload and her interest in addressing issues that affect working legislators.
Unclear: Representative Stephanie P. Information Only01:17:25.760 - 10:16:31 AM; Representative Stephanie P., representing Henniker, Warner, and Bradford, introduced herself. This is her second term and second time on the Legislative Administration Committee. She joined the committee due to its manageable time commitment, fitting her full-time job as an administrator at Cheshire Medical Center.
Unclear: Representative Joe Barton Information Only03:01:53.319 - 12:00:59 PM; Representative Joe Barton, a new member, introduced himself. He grew up in Lancaster, worked at the shipyard in Portsmouth, and recently moved to Littleton. He is an engineer, pilot, and now works in the private sector with a flexible schedule.
Unclear: Representative Wendy Thomas, Prime Sponsor of HB 118 Support03:03:27.319 - 12:02:33 PM; Representative Wendy Thomas, representing Merrimack, introduced House Bill 118. The bill proposes a 10-minute break after three hours of continuous legislative session to benefit older, employed, parent, and caretaker legislators. She argued that such breaks would help prevent physical discomfort, maintain mental sharpness, and allow legislators to manage personal responsibilities effectively. She also highlighted the need for dignity and health protections for legislators during long sessions.
Unclear: Representative Lloyd Support03:10:51.200 - 12:09:57 PM; Representative Lloyd provided testimony supporting House Bill 118. She shared her personal experience of undergoing knee surgeries, which made it challenging to navigate the State House, especially to the bathroom, without missing legislative proceedings. She stressed the importance of scheduled breaks to accommodate legislators with mobility issues.
HB347: Representative Lloyd Information Only03:19:35.279 - 12:18:41 PM; Representative Lloyd discusses a bill that aims to establish a leave of absence policy for legislators to fulfill their legislative duties. The bill is motivated by his personal experience where an employer prohibited him from attending legislative sessions, which he found untenable. The proposed legislation focuses solely on mandatory session days, not committee work or campaigning, and is designed to prevent employers from interfering with a legislator's duty to vote. He mentions a concern raised in a previous term about employers potentially using the publicized house calendar to prevent employees from attending sessions on critical voting days. He clarifies that the bill is not intended to increase legislators' salaries but to protect their ability to serve without risking their employment. He also notes his experience in nonprofit and human resources, observing an increasing trend where employers require documentation for absences, drawing a parallel to jury duty where employers are not required to pay but must allow the time off. He is open to questions and potential adjustments to the bill.
HB347: Representative Weight Information Only03:24:55.920 - 12:24:01 PM; Representative Weight inquires about the calculation of the 168 hours proposed in the bill. Representative Lloyd explains that he arrived at this number by multiplying the number of days reserved off in the 2022 legislative calendar by eight hours per day. He expresses willingness to review and adjust this number based on actual session days and to minimize the burden on employers.
HB347: Representative Lloyd Information Only03:25:41.800 - 12:24:47 PM; Representative Lloyd further discusses the applicability of the bill to out-of-state employers. He acknowledges that the bill would not directly benefit him as he works in Massachusetts, but it could provide leverage for New Hampshire residents working out of state to argue for similar considerations from their employers. He expresses a hope for federal legislation to address this issue more broadly.
HB347: Representative S Information Only03:27:15.160 - 12:26:21 PM; Representative S asks about the minimum number of employees required for the bill to take effect. Representative Lloyd states that he did not set a minimum but included a hardship clause for employers with too few staff or unique circumstances, allowing them to be exempted from the requirements.
HB347: Representative Lloyd Information Only03:28:01.239 - 12:27:07 PM; In response to further questions, Representative Lloyd discusses the process for employers to claim hardship under the proposed bill. He suggests that the Department of Labor, similar to how they handle jury duty exemptions, could be involved in this process. He is open to refining the details with the committee.
HB347: John Garion, Department of Labor Information Only03:29:17.680 - 12:28:23 PM; John Garion, General Counsel with the Department of Labor, provides technical guidance on the bill. He explains the penalty provisions under RSA 273:11a, noting that the first violation results in a warning with 30 days to correct, while subsequent violations could lead to fines up to $2,500. He points out that the bill as currently written does not grant the Department authority to investigate violations, suggesting an amendment to include such authorization. He offers the Department's assistance in drafting the necessary language.
HB347: Representative Turot Information Only03:31:01.479 - 12:30:07 PM; Representative Turot asks if the Department of Labor has jurisdiction outside New Hampshire. John Garion confirms that they do not, which could lead to differential treatment of employers based on their location.
HB315: Representative Vanessa Shen, Hillsboro County District 43, Milford Information Only03:35:12.600 - 12:34:18 PM; Representative Vanessa Shen introduces House Bill 315 but does not provide detailed information on its content or purpose during the hearing. She indicates that she will not be taking questions on the bill.
HB315: John Williams, DHHS Information Only03:35:59.359 - 12:35:05 PM; John Williams from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is scheduled to speak on House Bill 315 but the transcript cuts off before his testimony begins. He indicates no preference, support, or opposition to the bill, suggesting he will provide information only.
HB315: John Williams, Department of Health and Human Services Oppose03:36:04.640 - 12:35:10 PM; John Williams, representing the Department of Health and Human Services, expressed serious concerns about HB315. He argued that the bill could have a chilling effect on communication between state employees and the legislature, which is crucial for effective policy-making. He emphasized the importance of transparency and the existing checks and balances, such as the Ethics Committee, which handle improprieties. Williams highlighted that the bill targets only the executive branch and could hinder the open communication needed for good policy development. He also mentioned his responsibility as an attorney to uphold the constitution and stressed the need for effective inter-branch communication.
HB315: Commissioner Jasper, as a private citizen Oppose03:41:28.640 - 12:40:34 PM; Commissioner Jasper testified as a private citizen and opposed HB315. He pointed out flaws in the bill, particularly the sections on false swearing and tampering with witnesses, noting that these apply without the individual being sworn in. He criticized the lack of due process and the high standard of 'knowingly' providing false information. Jasper argued that the bill could infringe on constitutional rights and likened it to the 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil' monkeys, suggesting it might limit the full range of information available to legislators. He hoped the bill would be found inexpedient to legislate.
HB315: Representative Penza, prime sponsor Support03:49:18.319 - 12:48:24 PM; Representative Penza, the bill's prime sponsor, supported HB315. He argued that the bill aims to ensure truthful testimony from public employees and is not meant to be punitive or to imply criminal intent. He shared personal experiences of witnessing false testimony and emphasized the need for a formal process to address such issues. Penza clarified that the bill does not introduce new penalties but formalizes the existing pathways for accountability, such as reporting to the Ethics Committee. He also discussed the separation of powers and how the bill respects the constitutional rights of individuals while holding government employees accountable.
HB456: Representative Penza, prime sponsor Support04:05:26.520 - 1:04:32 PM; Representative Penza introduced HB456, which modifies existing statutes to ensure that state agencies provide information only upon committee request and do not take positions on legislative matters. He argued that this is crucial to maintain the separation of powers and prevent undue influence from state agencies. Penza cited examples where agencies have influenced legislation and stressed the importance of factual presentations over speculative 'what-ifs'. He referenced House rules that prohibit employees from influencing legislation and suggested similar rules should apply to the executive branch to maintain checks and balances.
HB456: Representative Wade Information Only04:10:24.920 - 1:09:30 PM; Representative Wade inquired about the implications of line 11 in the bill, which states that state agencies can only provide information at the committee's request. They questioned whether this would require a specific invitation for state agencies to attend public hearings, expressing concerns about the clarity and application of the phrase 'at the committee's request' in the context of public hearings.
HB456: Representative Penza Information Only04:11:14.199 - 1:10:20 PM; Representative Penza clarified that the language in line 11 was provided by legal experts and that a public hearing itself serves as the committee's request for information. They emphasized that the current process of state agencies and private individuals providing testimony at hearings remains unchanged by the proposed bill.
HB456: Representative Barton Information Only04:12:46.479 - 1:11:52 PM; Representative Barton raised concerns about the language in lines 10 and 11 of the bill, which could limit state agencies from providing information. They referenced Federalist 45, questioning whether state agencies or their representatives could be considered constituents of the state and if they would be restricted from providing information under the proposed legislation.
HB456: Representative Penza Information Only04:13:31.520 - 1:12:37 PM; Representative Penza responded to Representative Barton's query, stating that state agencies can provide factual information but cannot take a position. They noted that if the language creates issues, it could be amended. They further explained that state employees can testify in a private capacity, but not on behalf of the agency while on the clock.
HB456: Representative Hill Information Only04:15:04.119 - 1:14:10 PM; Representative Hill asked about the scenario where a bill negatively impacts an agency's operations, questioning whether the agency could defend itself. Representative Penza clarified that agency employees can testify in their private capacity but cannot represent the agency's position.
HB456: Representative Senson Information Only04:16:40.040 - 1:15:46 PM; Representative Senson inquired about the impact of the bill on the governor's budget proposal, questioning if it would limit the governor from taking a stand. Representative Penza clarified that the governor's budget process is separate and not directly affected by the bill as the governor does not testify in front of the legislature for budget proposals.
HB456: Representative B Information Only04:19:20.760 - 1:18:26 PM; Representative B questioned if state agencies considered as constituents would be restricted from taking a position on legislation while on the clock. Representative Penza reiterated that state employees cannot take a position on the job, emphasizing the separation of powers and that they can only testify as private citizens.
HB456: Representative Wall Information Only04:20:53.920 - 1:19:59 PM; Representative Wall asked about the delivery of house resolutions to federal entities and whether it would need to be done on personal time. Representative Penza clarified that resolutions are not law and thus not subject to the same restrictions as testimony.
HB456: Sean Jasper, private citizen, Hudson Oppose04:21:45.279 - 1:20:51 PM; Sean Jasper, testifying as a private citizen from Hudson, opposed the bill, arguing that it's impractical to expect state agencies to provide information without implicitly taking a position. He cited past instances where governors have testified before committees and highlighted his refusal to provide a fiscal note for a bill he believed violated federal law. Jasper also mentioned a new directive requiring department heads to get the governor's approval before testifying, which he believes contradicts the bill's intent. He stressed the importance of state agencies being able to represent the governor's position and provide comprehensive information to the legislature.
HB456: Representative Way Information Only04:27:13.080 - 1:26:19 PM; Representative Way asked about the impact of the bill on the process where state agencies propose bills to improve their operations. Sean Jasper acknowledged the oversight in his testimony and affirmed that state agencies often initiate bills through legislators, emphasizing the necessity for agencies to fully support such bills during testimony.
HB456: Paul Smith, Clerk of the House Information Only04:29:15.640 - 1:28:21 PM; Paul Smith provided historical context on the underlying section of chapter 98, enacted through legislation in 2005. He highlighted the focus on legislative ethics during the early 2000s, mentioning his role as a co-sponsor of House Bill 43 in 2005, which led to the creation of chapter 98F. This chapter was established to ensure that executive branch staff wear proper identification when testifying before the legislature, akin to lobbyists, to maintain transparency and accountability. He clarified the legislative intent from 20 years ago, noting that state agencies have been testifying on behalf of their agencies for years. Smith also pointed out a specific concern in the bill's language that state agencies cannot preemptively provide information to a committee without a request, which could hinder their ability to communicate the impact of legislation on their operations.
HB456: John Williams, DHHS Information Only04:33:52.400 - 1:32:58 PM; John Williams from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) discussed the implications of the bill on state agencies' ability to provide critical information during the budget process. He emphasized the role of the Department of Revenue Administration in providing revenue projections and the potential prohibition of their input unless requested by the committee. Williams raised concerns about the procedural mechanics of how a committee would request information from state agencies, suggesting potential issues with transparency and public meeting requirements. He also noted the importance of state agencies in requesting legislation to aid citizens, highlighting the potential complications if the bill passed.
HB456: Lissa Massio, Associate Child Advocate, Office of the Child Advocate Oppose04:37:54.160 - 1:37:00 PM; Lissa Massio, representing the Office of the Child Advocate, expressed opposition to the bill. She highlighted the agency's role in advocating for children and the potential hindrance the bill's language would pose to their ability to fulfill their mandate. Massio agreed with previous testimonies about the restrictive nature of the bill's language, particularly the requirement for a committee's request before state agencies can provide information. She emphasized the unique role of her agency in advocating for systemic reform and the broader impact of the bill on state agencies' ability to take positions on legislation, including budget advocacy and bills they initiate.
HB456: Prime Sponsor Support04:52:28.760 - 1:51:34 PM; The prime sponsor clarified that the bill's intent is to prevent state agencies from taking positions on legislation, not to restrict them from providing factual information. They emphasized that state agencies can still communicate facts about potential impacts of legislation but should not advocate for or against bills. The sponsor acknowledged the concerns raised about the bill's language and expressed willingness to amend the bill to address these issues, particularly the language suggested by OS. They also noted ongoing communications with state agencies throughout the legislative cycle and reiterated that the bill was meant to be simple and focused on positions, not information.

Hill, Gregory(Chairman)(R)[A-]2025	Sirois, Shane(Clerk)(R)[A-]2025	Sheehan, Vanessa(V Chairman)(R)[A-]2025
Wall, Janet(D)[F]2025	Notter, Jeanine(R)[A-]2025	Turcotte, Len(R)[B]2025
Verville, Kevin(R)[B-]2025	Richards, Beth(D)[D]2025	Payeur, Stephanie(D)[D-]2025
Boyd, Stephen(R)[B+]2025	Wade, Alice(D)[F]2025	Sorensen, Carrie(D)[F]2025