Committee Summary for House Legislative Administration (10/29/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB314 2025-3026h 00:07:59.120 - 12:05:25 PM	Executive Session	prohibiting the use of federal, state, or local funds for lobbying activities.	Potenza, Kelley(R)[A]2025

HB314 2025-3026h: Committee Chair Information Only00:07:59.120 - 12:05:25 PM; The chair welcomes the committee to the executive session for HB 314 and notes the time. They confirm it's an executive session, not a work session, and move to discussion by calling for a motion for ought to pass (OTP) from Representative Turkot, seconded by Representative Sheen. The bill is open for amendment.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative Turkot Support00:08:44.720 - 12:06:10 PM; Representative Turkot moves for OTP on the bill. Later, she moves to amend HB 314 with amendment 2025-3026h, which is a complete replacement of the original bill. She explains the amendment aims to find a middle ground acceptable to both sides, emphasizing transparency as the main motive and local control. She plans to discuss starting from page one, number 19 through page two, but is interrupted.
HB314 2025-3026h: Unnamed Representative Information Only00:09:30.880 - 12:06:56 PM; The representative confirms it's an executive session and agrees to the procedure of OTP before discussion. They note the OTP has already been done, opening the bill for further amendment.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative Sheen Support00:09:30.880 - 12:06:56 PM; Representative Sheen seconds the motion for OTP and also seconds the amendment to HB 314.
HB314 2025-3026h: Unnamed Committee Member Information Only00:10:48.880 - 12:08:14 PM; The member interrupts Representative Turkot to highlight line three on the amendment, referencing RSA 15:5, which deals strictly with lobbyists under sections 15:1 to 15:5. They clarify that the bill and amendment do not apply to non-lobbyists, such as municipal employees like police chiefs, fire chiefs, or highway workers, who are not required to register. They reference line 16, item 4, which explicitly states that nothing restricts public officials or employees from testifying before the legislature unless they must register as lobbyists. They express frustration over repeated bad information from lobbying firms in letters and form letters, urging that misinformation must stop, and notes efforts to create clear language for town administrators and superintendents.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative Turkot Support00:11:54.240 - 12:09:20 PM; Representative Turkot confirms the member's points on the amendment's scope limited to registered lobbyists and the protections for public employees testifying.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative Turkot Support00:14:41.279 - 12:12:07 PM; Representative Turkot explains the amendment, starting with a new definition of public funds on line five, which prohibits using public funds for lobbying except under paragraph five. He highlights section three on segregation of funds and section four clarifying no restrictions on public employees testifying unless registered as lobbyists. He emphasizes transparency and local decision-making, allowing municipalities to opt-in via taxpayer vote. He shares a personal example from his town of Bington, where $10,000 is spent on NHMA dues without public awareness, advocating for annual reporting of such expenditures. He notes changes to RSA 31:8A to align with the new requirements, ensuring NHMA funding continues post-compliance. He stresses the amendment's intent to apply broadly while maintaining local control.
HB314 2025-3026h: Chairman Hill Information Only00:15:59.600 - 12:13:25 PM; Chairman Hill confirms the amendment's language does not apply to anyone other than lobbyists and introduces the discussion on the amendment's provisions.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative Per Information Only00:21:44.480 - 12:19:10 PM; Representative Per questions how the amendment affects other associations like those for counties and schools, noting the specificity to NHMA.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative Senson Information Only00:23:08.960 - 12:20:34 PM; Representative Senson confirms the amendment creates an opt-in process for citizens regarding public funds for lobbying.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative Wall Oppose00:24:54.400 - 12:22:20 PM; Representative Wall expresses concern that the language appears to exclude schools and counties despite the intent to include them, suggesting explicit inclusion for clarity. She worries about differing budget hearing times for schools and municipalities, seeking specifics to avoid misinterpretation.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative Verville Support00:27:05.840 - 12:24:31 PM; Representative Verville explains that school districts and municipalities are legally distinct entities, and the process would be the same for both, with separate ballots and deliberative sessions. He clarifies that the amendment's language covers how to proceed if associations provide lobbying services.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative Richards Information Only00:28:14.880 - 12:25:40 PM; Representative Richards asks if the amendment was reviewed by any school boards or districts during the working session.
HB314 2025-3026h: Chairman Hill (response) Information Only00:29:19.039 - 12:26:45 PM; Chairman Hill explains the decision not to review with school boards was to ensure the amendment was substantially different from a previously indefinitely postponed bill, finalized only recently.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative Senson (follow-up) Information Only00:30:06.559 - 12:27:32 PM; Representative Senson questions how cooperative school districts with multiple towns would handle differing votes on opting in.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative Verville (response) Information Only00:31:29.039 - 12:28:55 PM; Representative Verville notes that cooperative districts operate similarly, with annual reports documenting fees, and decisions by majority vote, with ties handled per contracts.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative Patternell Information Only00:33:41.360 - 12:31:07 PM; Representative Patternell comments on cooperative districts potentially calling recounts in close votes and asks if other statutes specifically mention organizations like NHMA.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative Verville (further) Information Only00:34:46.719 - 12:32:12 PM; Representative Verville clarifies NHMA was created by law, setting it apart, and explains that in parliamentary procedure, a tie vote results in failure of the motion.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative Gall Oppose00:37:00.079 - 12:34:26 PM; Representative Gall praises the amendment's improvements but concerns the lack of a public hearing given its substantial changes and the delayed effective date of January 1, 2027, suggesting a recommendation for further legislation to allow public input.
HB314 2025-3026h: Chairman Hill (response to Gall) Information Only00:38:18.000 - 12:35:44 PM; Chairman Hill explains the process for retained bills, noting it will go to the House floor and then a Senate hearing.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative Payer Information Only00:39:26.400 - 12:36:52 PM; Representative Payer questions how counties, without voter ballots, would approve dues payments to associations under the amendment.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative S. Information Only00:41:39.760 - 12:39:05 PM; Representative S. asks if a town opting out can later opt back in and how frequently.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative Verville (response to S.) Information Only00:42:58.960 - 12:40:24 PM; Representative Verville explains it can be reconsidered annually at town meetings or via special meetings, with provisions for rescinding the action.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative Turkot (final comment) Support00:43:57.280 - 12:41:23 PM; Representative Turkot notes that large issues often get added to bills like HB2 without public hearings and emphasizes that this executive session is public, with further hearings in the Senate.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative Po Information Only00:45:09.200 - 12:42:35 PM; Representative Po clarifies that the amendment was declared germane, so no additional public hearing is needed since the underlying bill had one.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative Wall (final) Oppose00:46:21.119 - 12:43:47 PM; Representative Wall reiterates concerns about lacking a public hearing on the substantially changed amendment, preferring to wait for more constituent input rather than rushing it.
HB314 2025-3026h: Clerk Information Only00:47:07.200 - 12:44:33 PM; The clerk calls the roll for the vote on the amendment 2025-3026h, which passes 7-4.
HB314 2025-3026h: Representative Wall (on Ought to Pass) Oppose00:48:32.160 - 12:45:58 PM; Representative Wall states the bill as amended is not ready for prime time.
HB314 2025-3026h: Clerk (Ought to Pass vote) Information Only00:48:32.160 - 12:45:58 PM; The clerk calls the roll for Ought to Pass as amended on HB 314, which passes 7-4.
HB314 2025-3026h: Chairman Hill (post-vote) Information Only00:49:51.520 - 12:47:17 PM; Chairman Hill notes a likely minority report and discusses committee logistics, new bills, portraits, and upcoming veto day meeting on December 17th.

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