Committee Summary for House Public Works and Highways (03/24/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB497 00:08:01.315 - 9:03:27 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) removing a reference to procurement through the department of administrative services for certain capital appropriations to the community college system of New Hampshire and changing a reference regarding spaces assigned for use for members of the legislature.	Watters, David(D)[D-]2025
SB497 Mills amendment 00:21:09.115 - 9:16:35 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) removing a reference to procurement through the department of administrative services for certain capital appropriations to the community college system of New Hampshire and changing a reference regarding spaces assigned for use for members of the legislature.	Watters, David(D)[D-]2025
SB529 00:33:33.024 - 9:28:59 AM	Public Hearing	giving preference to lumber sourced in the United States on all state-funded building projects.	Rochefort, David(R)[B-]2025
SB629 01:15:00.000 - 10:10:26 AM	Public Hearing	renaming the new roundabout on Route 302 at the East Conway Road intersection to "Oliveira Circle."	McConkey, Mark(R)[B]2025
SB629 01:18:33.024 - 10:13:59 AM	Executive Session	renaming the new roundabout on Route 302 at the East Conway Road intersection to "Oliveira Circle."	McConkey, Mark(R)[B]2025
SB632 01:36:49.308 - 10:32:15 AM	Public Hearing	relative to a certain highway sign in Concord.	Reardon, Tara(D)[F]2025

SB497: Senator Claire Roulade Information Only00:08:01.315 - 9:03:27 AM; Senator Roulade introduces Senate Bill 497, reading the full title of the bill. She states she will not provide testimony and assumes others will speak in favor or against the bill.
SB497: Shannon Reed, Director of Government Affairs, Community College System of New Hampshire Support00:09:30.000 - 9:04:56 AM; Shannon Reed explains that SB 497 corrects a technical oversight in House Bill 25 of 2025, the state capital budget, regarding funding for the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) IT infrastructure project. The bill removes inappropriate state agency boilerplate language that references procurement through the Department of Administrative Services, replacing it with CCSNH's own policies for expending funds. She assures the committee of CCSNH's sound policies and accountability measures. Reed also discusses a proposed amendment drafted by Chairman Mills to repurpose funds from a prior appropriation for respiratory therapy renovations at Nashua Community College to a more flexible allied health instructional center, aligning with state health workforce goals without changing the funding amount. She highlights sections of HB 25 affected by the bill and answers questions clarifying that dollar amounts remain unchanged and the amendment speeds up the process.
SB497: Terry Poff, Chief Operating Officer, General Court of New Hampshire Support00:18:00.000 - 9:13:26 AM; Terry Poff explains the amendment portion of SB 497, which moves control of spaces from the second floor to the fourth floor of the annex for General Court use during the LOB reconfiguration transition. This includes moving senators and the rules division. He notes that construction is halted until the bill passes to legally assign the spaces, and engineers are ready once control is gained. Poff confirms the move is permanent as per legislative processes and mentions collaboration between Senator Carson and Representative Packard.
SB497 Mills amendment: Representative Jack Information Only00:21:09.115 - 9:16:35 AM; Representative Jack briefly explains the amendment as a replace-all, but the only substantive change is on line 29, section 3, repurposing respiratory therapy funds to allied health instructional center. The rest remains as from the Senate.
SB497 Mills amendment: Co-sponsor of original bill Support00:21:30.000 - 9:16:56 AM; The co-sponsor states they have no problem with the amendment and urges a yes vote on it as moved by Representative Jack.
SB497 Mills amendment: Committee Roll Call Vote00:23:37.648 - 9:19:03 AM; Roll call on the amendment: Vice Chairman Bogart (Yes), Idolfi (absent), Baum (Aye), Brown (Aye), Lewis (absent), Suter (absent), Foote (absent), Cloutier (Yes), Jack (Yes), Ecker (Aye), Faulkner (Yes), Newman (Yes), Vallone (Yes), Juris (absent), Rockmore (Yes), Chair (Yes). Amendment passes 12-0 with 4 absent.
SB497 Mills amendment: Representative Boehm Support00:24:00.000 - 9:19:26 AM; Moves for ought to pass as amended (OTPA) on SB 497, seconded.
SB497 Mills amendment: Committee Roll Call Vote00:25:23.946 - 9:20:49 AM; Roll call on OTPA: Vice Chairman Bogert (Yes), Boehm (Aye), Brown (Aye), Lewis (absent), Souter (absent), Foote (absent), Cloutier (Yes), Jack (Yes), Becker (Aye), Bockner (Yes), Newman (Yes), Ballone (Yes), Juris (absent), Rockmore (Yes), Chair (Yes). Bill passes 12-0 with 5 absent/not voting. Placed on consent calendar with no objections.
SB529: Representative Davis (introducing for Senator Rochford) Support00:33:33.024 - 9:28:59 AM; Introduced the bill to give preference to U.S.-sourced lumber, specifically New Hampshire, in state-funded projects to support the local timber industry. Explained technical differences between SPF (Canadian) and SPFS (U.S.) grading, arguing that New Hampshire's climate and species produce comparable strength. Noted that the bill does not mandate use but ensures fair consideration, addressing species mix biases and safety factors. Responded to questions on enforcement, cost differentials, and scope limited to state-funded projects.
SB529: Unnamed Speaker (Industry Representative) Support00:48:33.024 - 9:43:59 AM; Testified on cross-border logging practices where New Hampshire logs are sent to Canada for milling and graded as SPF, disadvantaging local mills. Advocated for preference to New Hampshire lumber to save on transportation costs and provide economic fairness. Explained that grading is an industry code, not governmental, and referenced related bills changing the grading line to the 43rd parallel. Noted price volatility but potential savings from local sourcing.
SB529: Wesley Robichart, New Hampshire Retail Lumber Association and Coastal Forest Products Support01:00:00.000 - 9:55:26 AM; Provided history of lumber grading changes in 1991, highlighting how Canadian testing resulted in higher SPF ratings compared to U.S. SPFS. Argued that the wood is not inherently different and safety factors cover any minor strength variances. Emphasized the bill raises awareness for architects and engineers to specify SPFS for American lumber in state projects, supporting New Hampshire mills without mandating use. Addressed questions on regional designations and bill's focus on U.S. preference.
SB529: Sarah Beltase, Beltase Lumber Company Support01:03:33.024 - 9:58:59 AM; From a retail perspective, described how SPF/SPFS designations forced reduction in contracts with New Hampshire mills and led to dual inventories, causing compliance issues and costly replacements on job sites. Noted minimal price difference ($0.30 per 2x6x10) but significant issues when specs require SPF. Urged preference for SPFS in designs to utilize local lumber without structural risks, especially in New Hampshire's climate.
SB529: Jason Stack, New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association Support01:10:00.000 - 10:05:26 AM; Representing timberland owners, loggers, foresters, and sawmills, supported the bill as non-mandatory awareness-raising for local lumber use in state projects. Emphasized supporting local jobs, landowners, loggers, and truckers through fair consideration of New Hampshire timber.
SB629: Senator McConkey Support01:15:00.000 - 10:10:26 AM; Introduced the bill to honor David and Kathy Oliveira, killed in a 2018 collision at the intersection now replaced by the roundabout. Included letter of support from Conway town. Joined by local representatives and family member Pam Clarkson for testimony. Requested ought to pass.
SB629: Representative Woodcock Support01:16:00.000 - 10:11:26 AM; Supported the bill, noting the roundabout's safety improvements reducing accidents at the site. Expressed appreciation for honoring the victims.
SB629: Pamela Clarkson, family of Kathy and David Oliveira Support01:17:00.000 - 10:12:26 AM; Expressed gratitude for the roundabout's construction, which alleviated her anxiety and flashbacks when passing the intersection near her home. Thanked Senator McConkey for sponsoring the bill to name it Oliveira Circle as a memorial to commemorate their lives and love for the area.
SB629: Committee Roll Call Vote01:18:33.024 - 10:13:59 AM; Roll call vote resulted in 13 aye, none nay, four absent. Motion to pass Senate Bill 629 carried. Discussion on placing on consent calendar or special order; family preferred not consent. Assigned report.
SB632: Senator Tara Reardon Support01:36:49.308 - 10:32:15 AM; Introduced the bill on behalf of constituent Steve Dupree to transfer ownership of a grandfathered sign near Exit 12 to a nonprofit like the Chamber of Commerce for advertising civic and nonprofit events in downtown Concord. Noted historical significance, no fiscal impact, and restrictions to non-commercial use enhancing local economy. Responded to questions on location, grandfather status, ownership transfer, and prohibitions.
SB632: Tracy Brickey, co-sponsor Support01:38:00.000 - 10:33:26 AM; Deferred to Senator Reardon's introduction, agreeing on the bill's purpose without adding new information.
SB632: Brianna Marceau, President and CEO of the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce Support01:51:49.308 - 10:47:15 AM; Brianna Marceau testified in support of SB 632FN, emphasizing the future benefits of the sign in connecting highway travelers to downtown Concord events and activities. She highlighted how the sign would promote a vibrant business economy by turning pass-through traffic into visitors who support local businesses through shopping, dining, and attending festivals. Marceau noted the importance for small businesses lacking large marketing budgets and mentioned support from In Town Concord. She addressed operational costs, suggesting limited advertising by downtown businesses to ensure financial sustainability without public funding. The bill allows a nonprofit to manage the sign for community benefit without city ownership or endorsement, advancing economic vitality.
SB632: Lee Barons, Administrator of the Bureau of Traffic at New Hampshire DOT Information Only02:00:00.000 - 10:55:26 AM; Lee Barons provided neutral information on SB 632FN, outlining the history and implications under the Highway Beautification Act of 1965 and New Hampshire's 1971 agreement with the Federal Highway Administration. He explained that the bill would exempt the sign from all outdoor advertising control statutes and rules, including size, lighting, location, and permitting, leaving regulation solely to the City of Concord. This could lead to non-compliance with federal law, potentially withholding 10% of federal highway funds ($20-30 million annually). Barons noted past permit denials for similar signs near interchanges for safety reasons, clarified the sign's history as originally on-premise but now off-premise, and discussed challenges with exceptions, grandfathering, and potential federal scrutiny. He emphasized the sign's proposed changes to a lighted, electronically changeable device, increasing risks.

Milz, David(Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Boyd, Bill(Clerk)(R)[C]2025	Bogert, Steven(V Chairman)(R)[B+]2025
Cloutier, John(D)[F]2025	Boehm, Ralph(R)[B]2025	Jack, Martin(D)[D-]2025
Newman, Sue(D)[F]2025	Edgar, Michael(D)[F]2025	Faulkner, Barry(D)[D-]2025
Fedolfi, Jim(R)[IN]2025	Brown, Richard(R)[B+]2025	Juris, Louis(D)[F]2025
Suiter, John(R)[B-]2025	Vallone, Mark(D)[D-]2025	Foote, Charles(R)[B]2025
Rockmore, Ellen(D)[CT]2025	Louis, Darrell(R)[B+]2025