Committee Summary for House Ways and Means (03/09/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1542 1085H 00:04:01.816 - 9:01:57 AM	General Working Session	(New Title) allowing alternative compliance payments to the renewable energy fund to be refunded to ratepayers on a per kilowatt hour basis.	Notter, Jeanine(R)[A-]2025
HB1542 2026-1085h 00:55:20.232 - 9:53:16 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) allowing alternative compliance payments to the renewable energy fund to be refunded to ratepayers on a per kilowatt hour basis.	Notter, Jeanine(R)[A-]2025
CACR12 00:55:20.232 - 9:53:16 AM	Public Hearing	relating to voting on broad-based taxes. Providing that a supermajority vote of the general court shall be required to enact any broad-bases taxes.	Lang, Timothy(R)[B-]2025
SB542 01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) limiting the game dates available to charities at gaming facilities.	Lang, Timothy(R)[B-]2025
SB633 02:00:00.000 - 10:57:56 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to donations received by the granite patron of the arts fund.	Watters, David(D)[D-]2025
SB652 03:10:20.232 - 12:08:16 PM	Public Hearing	changing the maximum award of tax credits for overpayment of due taxes.	Lang, Timothy(R)[B-]2025
Unclear 03:10:20.232 - 12:08:16 PM	General Working Session	Unclear

HB1542 1085H: Chair Information Only00:04:01.816 - 9:01:57 AM; Opens the work session on HB 1542 and introduces the fiscal note discussion.
HB1542 1085H: Krishay (LBA) Information Only00:04:01.816 - 9:01:57 AM; Presents the fiscal note for HB 1542 as amended by 0241H, explaining it moves $6.4 million annually from renewable energy programs to ratepayers, reduces state agency electric costs by $59,000, and impacts five positions. Notes indeterminate local impacts and that the note may change with further amendments.
HB1542 1085H: Chris Shea Information Only00:04:01.816 - 9:01:57 AM; Explains the previous amendment 09398H's intent to transfer money to ratepayers and fund the Office of Energy Innovation, clarifies misinterpretations of 'incentive payments', and discusses budget sweeps from HB 2 overridden by later law. Describes changes to direct funds to the general fund for 26-27 biennium and back to ratepayers thereafter.
HB1542 1085H: Unidentified Information Only00:09:28.557 - 9:07:24 AM; Acknowledges the explanation.
HB1542 1085H: Chris Shea Information Only00:10:20.232 - 9:08:16 AM; Presents Amendment 1085H, detailing changes: removes 'incentive programs', directs excess funds to General Fund for first biennium, effective date June 30, 2026 to cover FY26-27, ensures Office of Energy Innovation funding ($300-350k/year), reducing transfer by that amount. Answers questions on funding mechanisms, positions impacted, and money flow.
HB1542 1085H: Representative Elmi Information Only00:10:20.232 - 9:08:16 AM; Asks for clarification on funding for Office of Offshore Wind and Energy Innovation under the amendment.
HB1542 1085H: Representative Alaric Information Only00:10:20.232 - 9:08:16 AM; Confirms the amendment funds and operates the offices before transferring excess funds.
HB1542 1085H: Representative Opal Oppose00:10:20.232 - 9:08:16 AM; Restates understanding of the bill and amendment, questions the policy of reducing renewable funding amid rising oil prices, notes it eliminates most renewable programs except innovation office.
HB1542 1085H: Representative Schimberg Information Only00:10:20.232 - 9:08:16 AM; Questions overall funding for positions: original bill eliminates nine, amended restores five, net four eliminated.
HB1542 1085H: Representative Ullman Information Only00:10:20.232 - 9:08:16 AM; Follows up on money trail, concerns about guarantees for ratepayer rebates after general fund transfer, confirms no immediate relief for ratepayers.
HB1542 1085H: Representative Schimberg Information Only00:10:20.232 - 9:08:16 AM; Lists 'eliminates': alternative compliance payments (no), renewable energy fund (no), existing grant programs (funding yes), rebate initiatives (uncertain), low-moderate income solar projects (likely).
HB1542 1085H: Chair Information Only00:25:20.232 - 9:23:16 AM; Asks Representative Vose about policy conflicts with energy committee.
HB1542 1085H: Representative Vose Support00:25:20.232 - 9:23:16 AM; Supports Office of Energy Innovation, explains no policy conflict as it aligns with phasing out renewable portfolio standard per state energy policy, subsidies time-limited after 20 years, gradual phase-out.
HB1542 1085H: Representative Elmi Information Only00:25:20.232 - 9:23:16 AM; Questions impact on existing and pipeline projects, confirms future application.
HB1542 1085H: Representative Oppel Oppose00:25:20.232 - 9:23:16 AM; Questions subsidies to oil and gas via fuel assistance programs.
HB1542 1085H: Representative Ulery Information Only00:25:20.232 - 9:23:16 AM; Clarifies fuel assistance benefits citizens, not companies.
HB1542 1085H: Representative Elmi Information Only00:25:20.232 - 9:23:16 AM; Asks about Office of Energy Innovation's work, e.g., nuclear R&D response, tracking offshore wind; questions policy support for nuclear over other renewables.
HB1542 1085H: Representative Vose Support00:25:20.232 - 9:23:16 AM; Describes office's innovation support, not limited to nuclear, statutory tracking of offshore wind, no bar to future funding of innovations.
HB1542 1085H: Chair Information Only00:25:20.232 - 9:23:16 AM; Invites Meg from DOE for questions.
HB1542 1085H: Representative Chamberlain Information Only00:25:20.232 - 9:23:16 AM; Asks impacts: higher long-term prices (deferred), increased volatility from fewer projects (deferred), ratepayers pay more later (deferred).
HB1542 1085H: Meg (DOE) Information Only00:25:20.232 - 9:23:16 AM; Defers on long-term impacts, notes current closure of rebate programs post-HB2, running LMI and non-residential grants.
HB1542 1085H: Representative Sparr Information Only00:25:20.232 - 9:23:16 AM; Asks for statistics on additional kWh from past programs (deferred).
HB1542 1085H: Representative Elberger Oppose00:25:20.232 - 9:23:16 AM; Argues budget is policy statement, unfunded renewable programs are bait-and-switch, NH lacks local energy sources like sun/wind/geothermal, opposes returning small savings to ratepayers over investing in local renewables amid rising fuel costs.
HB1542 1085H: Representative (unnamed, possibly Sherman or similar) Oppose00:40:20.232 - 9:38:16 AM; The speaker argues against subsidizing oil and gas, emphasizing benefits of market competition from renewables. Draws from experience in the Navy promoting renewables for budget savings and energy security. Warns of rising oil prices due to global events like issues in the Straits of Hormuz, advocating for renewables to mitigate long-term costs.
HB1542 1085H: Representative (unnamed, possibly Ulrey) Support00:40:20.232 - 9:38:16 AM; Quotes Frederick Bastiat on taxation as theft, supports free market without subsidies for specific energy forms. Notes the amendment maintains an office for innovations like geothermal, allowing grants without mandating renewables. References Texas wind power failures and opposes forcing ratepayers to subsidize inefficient sources.
HB1542 1085H: Chairman (unnamed) Information Only00:40:20.232 - 9:38:16 AM; Agrees on importance of keeping the office for private sector innovation in energy solutions, including potential solar advancements. Advocates long-term view over short-term oil price fluctuations, emphasizing future planning beyond current events like the Strait of Hormuz.
HB1542 1085H: Representative Sparr Support00:40:20.232 - 9:38:16 AM; Suggests broadening to 'alternative energy' not just renewables, as all fuels are subsidized. Argues reducing energy supply increases prices, citing data centers' impact. Supports incentivizing private investment for supply increase, innovation, diversification, and resiliency, especially given NH's lack of natural gas, oil, or coal.
HB1542 1085H: Representative Elmi Oppose00:40:20.232 - 9:38:16 AM; Rejects isolationist view, notes other states denying renewables. Argues cutting renewables forces reliance on inefficient fossil fuels, ignoring state's total policy resources for warmth and business operations.
HB1542 1085H: Representative Elberger Oppose00:40:20.232 - 9:38:16 AM; Compares defunding to supporting FSAs without money. Sees it as folly to favor fossil fuels by not funding renewable research for citizen protection. Notes unpredictability of global oil supply like the Strait of Hormuz.
HB1542 2026-1085h: Representative Ulm Vote00:55:20.232 - 9:53:16 AM; Moves ought to pass on the underlying bill for purpose of amendment. Then moves ought to pass on amendment 2026-1085h.
HB1542 2026-1085h: Representative Sherman Oppose00:55:20.232 - 9:53:16 AM; Criticizes amendment for minimal savings but eliminating millions in future cost-reducing programs. Weakens economic case for alternatives. Notes federal subsidies for fossil fuels at $38 billion annually.
HB1542 2026-1085h: Clerk Vote00:55:20.232 - 9:53:16 AM; Calls roll on amendment: 10 yes (Ulrey, Soti, Stephen Smith, Tierney, Cole, Breyer, Mary Ford, Mary Murphy, Chairman Janigian, and others implied), 8 no (Almy, Southworth, Malloy, Schomburg, Bolton, Elberger, Opal, Sparr), 1 absent. Amendment passes 10-8.
HB1542 2026-1085h: Representative Ulrey Vote00:55:20.232 - 9:53:16 AM; Prepares majority report (OTP with amendment).
HB1542 2026-1085h: Representative Opal Vote00:55:20.232 - 9:53:16 AM; Minority motion inexpedient to legislate (ITL).
CACR12: Senator Tim Lang Support00:55:20.232 - 9:53:16 AM; Presents CACR 12 to ask voters if supermajority (two-thirds) in General Court is required for broad-based taxes, promoting bipartisanship amid divisive politics. Emphasizes it's about voter decision on preventing tyranny of majority, not the policy itself. Focuses on democracy and voter input on taxing all.
CACR12: Representative Opal Oppose01:10:20.232 - 10:08:16 AM; Questions if letting voters decide on overturning Constitution is appropriate, suggesting tradition of majority rule. Argues proposal may undermine majority rule inappropriately.
CACR12: Senator Tim Lang (response) Support01:10:20.232 - 10:08:16 AM; Clarifies adding to Constitution, not repealing. Voters are impacted and capable of deciding. Rejects dismissing voters as ill-informed.
CACR12: Representative Breyer Information Only01:10:20.232 - 10:08:16 AM; Asks why two-thirds instead of three-fifths, noting two-thirds can be insurmountable.
CACR12: Senator Tim Lang (response) Support01:10:20.232 - 10:08:16 AM; Two-thirds chosen but open to amendment like three-fifths. Simple majority insufficient for broad taxes affecting all; deserves supermajority unlike minor issues.
CACR12: Representative Elmy Oppose01:10:20.232 - 10:08:16 AM; Calls it a political stunt, unpassable in House due to supermajority needs. References California's citizen initiatives leading to economic issues from uninformed votes.
CACR12: Senator Tim Lang (response) Support01:10:20.232 - 10:08:16 AM; Affirms NH voters' intelligence and engagement. Rejects stunt label as it applies to both parties; promotes good governance via bipartisan supermajority for big issues.
CACR12: Representative Schamberg Information Only01:10:20.232 - 10:08:16 AM; Asks how CACR 12 protects municipalities from unfunded mandates if state can't adjust revenues; how it prevents shifting burdens to property owners; why minority blocks emergencies.
CACR12: Senator Tim Lang (response) Support01:10:20.232 - 10:08:16 AM; State controls state spending, towns local. Local taxes from local decisions. One-third not small; supermajority ensures broad agreement for taxing all.
CACR12: Unnamed Representative Information Only01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Asks if affects fees or just taxes.
CACR12: Senator Tim Lang (response) Information Only01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Just taxes, not fees.
CACR12: Representative Murphy Information Only01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Notes alternatives to taxing individuals like recruiting businesses for revenue growth.
CACR12: Senator Tim Lang (response) Support01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Applies to new broad-based taxes; existing bases can grow via business, BET, BPT taxes without burdening property owners.
CACR12: Representative Opal (follow-up) Information Only01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Notes cutting taxes also broadly impacts; suggests supermajority for cuts too for bipartisanship.
CACR12: Senator Tim Lang (response) Oppose01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Hadn't considered cuts; focuses on new taxes increasing burden. Voters favor cuts, but bill targets new burdens. Disagrees on including cuts.
CACR12: Representative Opal (example) Oppose01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Cites interest and dividends tax elimination benefiting top 1%, causing $180M loss, budget cuts impacting 90% via higher local burdens.
CACR12: Senator Tim Lang (response) Oppose01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Disagrees; state increased revenues to municipalities via per-pupil, rooms/meals, highway grants despite tax cut.
CACR12: Representative Elberger Oppose01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Cites Nashua paying $17M/year for state retirement shortfall, forcing tax hikes; questions municipality responsibility.
CACR12: Senator Tim Lang (response) Oppose01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Local hiring decisions incur costs; state not obligated for local employee retirements without input. Appropriate to break old promise; locals bear employee costs like businesses.
CACR12: Representative Sullivan Support01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Compliments emphasis on voter/smart local responsibility; contrasts with hearing voters can't handle budgets.
CACR12: Senator Tim Lang (response) Support01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Believes in responsibility/accountability; blames local spending for tax hikes, not state despite increased aid.
CACR12: Unnamed Representative Information Only01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Discusses education funding adequacy amid declining students; questions continuing fund contributions.
CACR12: Senator Tim Lang (response) Support01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Increased per-pupil funding, economic diversity aid; meets 28A via education, rooms/meals increases. Above revenue plan; focus on asking voters for supermajority on new taxes.
CACR12: Unnamed Representative Information Only01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Seeks clarification on broad-based tax vs. fee; sees fees as taxes.
CACR12: Senator Tim Lang (response) Information Only01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Broad-based applies universally (e.g., income/sales tax on all); plain reading for Constitution; case-by-case for others.
CACR12: Representative Ellery Information Only01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Summarizes as CACR to let voters decide on supermajority for broad-based taxes.
CACR12: Senator Tim Lang (response) Support01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Confirms: asks if voters want supermajority before passing new taxes; legislature decides to put to voters.
CACR12: Representative Olm Information Only01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Asks if intent is to make broad-based taxes harder, preserving NH's no-sales/no-income tax advantage.
CACR12: Senator Tim Lang (response) Support01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Aims for bipartisan agreement on big issues like consent calendar; 70% legislation bipartisan.
SB542: Senator Tim Lang Support01:25:20.232 - 10:23:16 AM; Explains SB 542 reduces charity gaming days from 10 to 7 per operator, allowing more charities access amid waiting lists. Notes revenue growth from HHR/slots; initial dip for some but overall increase soon.
SB542: Representative Schamberg Oppose01:40:20.232 - 10:38:16 AM; Questions eliminating tiered system for uniform 30% reduction, hurting fundraising if larger facilities could support more.
SB542: Senator Tim Lang (response) Support01:40:20.232 - 10:38:16 AM; Some operators already reduced days; uniform 7 days expands from 73 to 104 charities yearly, opening space statewide.
SB542: Representative (unnamed) Information Only01:40:20.232 - 10:38:16 AM; Notes geographic inequities; distant charities like Berlin PAL unlikely at Nashua facilities.
SB542: Senator Tim Lang (response) Support01:40:20.232 - 10:38:16 AM; Original tiering aimed at access but unworkable; 7 days first step, reevaluate via gaming commission. Accommodates growth.
SB542: Representative (unnamed, follow-up) Oppose01:40:20.232 - 10:38:16 AM; Questions state underwriting charities via gaming funds instead of taxing fully and distributing as state sees fit.
SB542: Senator Tim Lang (response) Support01:40:20.232 - 10:38:16 AM; Prefers local charity decisions over state priorities; keeps funds close to problems. Operators make value-based choices, not favoritism.
SB542: Representative (unnamed, follow-up) Information Only01:40:20.232 - 10:38:16 AM; Questions NH State Police Bagpipe Band as recipient.
SB542: Senator Tim Lang (response) Support01:40:20.232 - 10:38:16 AM; Local operator decision; supports arts/music as important.
SB542: Representative Ulm Information Only01:40:20.232 - 10:38:16 AM; Notes charity proceeds cut but surprised host communities' also cut despite costs; seeks comment.
SB542: Senator Tim Lang (response) Information Only01:40:20.232 - 10:38:16 AM; Uniform treatment; host communities new (7 days if space, not displacing charities); towns have other funds.
SB542: Representative Ulm (follow-up) Oppose01:40:20.232 - 10:38:16 AM; Policy implies towns don't deserve but get 7 days.
SB542: Senator Tim Lang (response) Oppose01:40:20.232 - 10:38:16 AM; Recent MA study shows no increased local impacts from casinos; no uptick in enforcement/services.
SB542: Representative Ulm (further) Information Only01:40:20.232 - 10:38:16 AM; Cites 20-year study showing accumulating problems over time.
SB542: Senator Tim Lang (response) Oppose01:40:20.232 - 10:38:16 AM; MA study post-multiple years showed no increase; compares casino calls to sports bars (fewer at casinos).
SB542: Representative Ulm (technical) Information Only01:40:20.232 - 10:38:16 AM; Concerns bill drafting: applies to HHR (Ch. 284) but may not align with VLT terms (Ch. 287).
SB542: Senator Tim Lang (response) Information Only01:40:20.232 - 10:38:16 AM; Language from NH Lottery; covers HHR (10 days) to open slots.
SB542: Alicia Preston, New Hampshire Charitable Gaming Operators Association Support01:55:20.232 - 10:53:16 AM; Alicia Preston represents the New Hampshire Charitable Gaming Operators Association and supports SB 542. She echoes Senator Lang's presentation, noting that as the industry has grown, interest from charities has increased. Four years ago, imposing seven days might have caused blackout days due to insufficient charities, but now there are enough to cover the reduced mandatory days from 10 to 7. She offers to answer questions.
SB633: Senator Tim Lang, Lakes Region Support02:00:00.000 - 10:57:56 AM; Senator Tim Lang presents SB 633 on behalf of Senator Waters, noting he hijacked the bill to create the Granite Patron of the Arts Fund via a budget amendment after the House repealed arts funding. The fund allows a tax credit of up to $350,000 annually (50% of $700,000 donations) against business taxes for donations to support the Council on the Arts. The bill streamlines the process by bypassing Governor and Council approval for donations under $50,000 to speed up fund receipt, as experienced with the first $10,000 donation from Tom Raffio of Delta Dental. He clarifies the cap is total state exposure of $350,000 per year, not per company, and addresses concerns about the fund's dedication, original bill ideas like voluntary surcharges on tickets (which raised issues for nonprofits and patrons), and ties to tax law under RSA 19-A:9. Lang explains the amendment fixes a mechanical issue for donations to state agencies and responds to questions on vetting donors (requiring BET/BPT liability), interest on overpayments (none paid by state), and liability multiples like 150% to cover growth and final taxes.
SB633: Jennifer Ramsey, Department of Revenue Administration Information Only02:25:20.232 - 11:23:16 AM; Jennifer Ramsey, Tax Policy Counsel with DRA, provides information on tax liability and refund processes relevant to the bill. For FY25, DRA recorded $162 million in refund liability, considering carryforwards. She distributes analysis showing projected refunds under current law (step-downs from 500% to 250% to 100% of prior liability) versus the bill's gradual schedule, with variances like higher refunds in step-down years due to forced releases. DRA supports implementation as a policy matter but notes no change in overpayment behavior despite caps. Refunds reduce current-year revenue, not retroactively, aiding cash flow planning but risking unpredictability if mass requests occur. No interest is owed on carried amounts until a refund request, then within 90 days. The state operates on cash basis, reporting overpayments as revenue when received and refunds when issued. She clarifies the system applies mainly to business profits tax via GenTax, with delays in knowing final liabilities.
SB652: Senator Lang Information Only03:10:20.232 - 12:08:16 PM; Senator Lang explained that implementing a larger fixed amount for business tax overpayments is not feasible currently due to growing liabilities and businesses overpaying taxes. He advocated for maintaining it at 150% of liability in a dedicated account and suggested adding a study commission to the bill to explore long-term solutions. In response to questions, he noted that businesses make estimates for quarterly payments which can change due to unforeseen events, tax rate reductions, or better-than-expected performance. He also mentioned that businesses overpay to avoid underpayment penalties and interest.
Unclear: Committee Chairman Information Only03:10:20.232 - 12:08:16 PM; The chairman closed the public hearing on SB 652 and discussed scheduling constraints for the following week, noting personal absences and availability issues. He confirmed no meetings next week due to lack of bills to schedule and sufficient time before deadlines for reporting on Senate bills by April 16th and May 7th.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only03:19:00.212 - 12:16:56 PM; A committee member explained the delay in bill assignments due to the previous House session lacking a quorum, preventing updates to the committee schedule. This made it too late to schedule anything for next week, suggesting a potential work session on Wednesday if needed, but ultimately agreeing to no meetings next week.

Janigian, John(Chairman)(R)[B+]2025	Ohm, Bill(Clerk)(R)[B+]2025	Ulery, Jordan(V Chairman)(R)[A-]2025
Almy, Susan(D)[F]2025	Oppel, Thomas(D)[F]2025	Smith, Steven(R)[B]2025
Malloy, Dennis(D)[CT]2025	Schamberg, Thomas(D)[CT]2025	Southworth, Thomas(D)[F]2025
Tierney, James(R)[B]2025	Cole, Brian(R)[A-]2025	Bolton, Bill(D)[F]2025
Elberger, Susan(D)[F]2025	Smith, Geoffrey(D)[D-]2025	Soti, Julius(R)[A+]2025
Spahr, Terry(D)[D-]2025	Bryer, Scott(R)[B]2025	Murphy, Mary(R)[B+]2025
Ford, Mary(R)[B+]2025