Committee Summary for JLCAR Administrative Rules (03/20/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SAFC25161 00:03:13.213 - 8:01:19 AM	General Working Session	administrative license suspension rules	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
AGR25192 00:11:00.000 - 8:09:06 AM	General Working Session	importation of bovines and domestic animals	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
AGR25207 00:17:30.000 - 8:15:36 AM	General Working Session	agriculture program rules	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
PUC25207 00:18:13.213 - 8:16:19 AM	General Working Session	procedures for investigations and fines	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #

SAFC25161: Committee Staff Attorney Information Only00:03:13.213 - 8:01:19 AM; Explained that the proposal was postponed from February to allow time for a conditional approval request, which addressed most issues except one regarding forms for acknowledging rights in license suspension procedures. Proposed specific language to include the defendant's acknowledgment, officer's check box for refusal, and officer's signature as witness in the rule text.
SAFC25161: John Morasco, Director of DMV Support00:05:00.000 - 8:03:06 AM; Presented with Assistant Director Jen Bailey, sought conditional approval for the rule set. Confirmed agreement with the proposed language to incorporate the rights acknowledgment and witness procedures into the rule text.
SAFC25161: Committee Chair Information Only00:06:00.000 - 8:04:06 AM; Read the proposed language for inclusion: after notifying rights, person acknowledges by signing, officer witnesses; if refusal, officer checks box and signs as witness.
SAFC25161: Representative Lamb Support00:07:00.000 - 8:05:06 AM; Thanked for agreeing to the change, noted its importance especially with related bills. Pointed out the need to renumber from B to C and ensure consistency.
SAFC25161: John Morasco, Director of DMV Support00:08:00.000 - 8:06:06 AM; Acknowledged the renumbering edit as noted the previous night.
SAFC25161: Representative Lamb Support00:09:00.000 - 8:07:06 AM; Moved for conditional approval with the discussed edits.
SAFC25161: Representative Grody Support00:09:30.000 - 8:07:36 AM; Seconded the motion for conditional approval.
SAFC25161: Committee Chair Vote00:10:00.000 - 8:08:06 AM; Called for vote on conditional approval; ayes have it, approved with edits.
AGR25192: Committee Staff Information Only00:11:00.000 - 8:09:06 AM; Described the readopt with amendment as rules set to expire in November 2025 but extended. Identified substantive issues: vague CFR citation on page 2 needing specificity for equine infectious anemia testing; incorrect definition of 'infection' citing a list instead of a definition; conflict between paragraphs C and D on permit possession; missing struck-through repealed language on page 7 as required by manual.
AGR25192: Patricia Benner, Department of Agriculture Legislative Coordinator Support00:13:00.000 - 8:11:06 AM; Informed that Dr. Prescott approved suggested changes but due to deadline, no written conditional approval request was filed. Asked about options: oral conditional, postpone, or preliminary rejection.
AGR25192: Committee Staff Information Only00:14:00.000 - 8:12:06 AM; Outlined options but did not recommend oral conditional without specific language; suggested postpone since no deadline, or preliminary objection.
AGR25192: Representative Hacken-Phillips Information Only00:15:00.000 - 8:13:06 AM; Expressed concern over the unresolved definition of 'infection' and requested written information from the department.
AGR25192: Committee Chair Information Only00:15:30.000 - 8:13:36 AM; Agreed with need for written response on the definition issue.
AGR25192: Representative Hacken-Phillips Vote00:16:00.000 - 8:14:06 AM; Moved to postpone until next month to allow time for conditional approval.
AGR25192: Senator Innes Vote00:16:10.000 - 8:14:16 AM; Seconded the motion to postpone.
AGR25192: Representative Leon Vote00:16:20.000 - 8:14:26 AM; Seconded the motion to postpone.
AGR25192: Representative Grody Vote00:16:30.000 - 8:14:36 AM; Seconded the motion to postpone.
AGR25192: Committee Chair Vote00:17:00.000 - 8:15:06 AM; Called for vote; ayes have it, postponed until next month.
AGR25207: Committee Staff Information Only00:17:30.000 - 8:15:36 AM; Noted postponement from last meeting due to questions on statutory authority and rulemaking discretion. Confirmed discretionary but necessary for enforcement and program operation due to vague statutes. Recommended conditional approval to implement rules.
AGR25207: Committee Chair Information Only00:18:00.000 - 8:16:06 AM; Explained for absent members: rules expired 20 years ago, waiver granted last month; needed for definitions benefiting consumers and businesses.
AGR25207: Representative Grody Support00:18:10.000 - 8:16:16 AM; Moved for conditional approval.
PUC25207: Committee Staff Attorney Information Only00:18:13.213 - 8:16:19 AM; Clarified that specific requirements for investigations and fines are assigned to the Department of Energy, not the PUC, per RSA 12-P:15. Reviewed other statutes as general rulemaking authority without specific fine assessment power. Concluded no statutory authority for PUC to assess fines; recommended legislative fix if desired.
PUC25207: Agency Representative Information Only00:20:00.000 - 8:18:06 AM; Agreed on the split between department and commission; noted department handles initial complaints and petitions to commission, but unclear on fine imposition authority. Mentioned similar authority remains with commission for competitive electric suppliers.
PUC25207: Representative Weiner Information Only00:22:00.000 - 8:20:06 AM; Asked about RSA 12-P:14 as transition language allowing continued enforcement of prior PUC rules until 2027, but noted approving new rules would invalidate old ones without authority.
PUC25207: Committee Staff Attorney Information Only00:23:00.000 - 8:21:06 AM; Confirmed RSA 12-P:14 allows temporary continuation but new rules lack authority under 541-A.
PUC25207: Representative Lynn Information Only00:24:00.000 - 8:22:06 AM; Questioned if later reference to commission in statute implies fine authority despite inarticulate drafting; suggested checking legislative history for intent to retain prior PUC authority.
PUC25207: Committee Staff Attorney Information Only00:25:00.000 - 8:23:06 AM; Explained the statute authorizes department rules for submission to commission but imposition of penalties is unclear and broad; requires specific authority per 541-A. Noted separation done quickly in budget bill, likely unintentional gaps; plain meaning doesn't grant authority, no need for history unless ambiguous.
PUC25207: Committee Chair Information Only00:28:00.000 - 8:26:06 AM; Acknowledged recent emails and quick adjudication; recommended waiver and postpone to next month for attorneys to review authority, legislative history. Noted Department of Energy creation via budget, prior PUC rules usable but new ones conflict. Suggested options: object, approve despite lack, or file fix bill.
PUC25207: Agency Representative Information Only00:30:00.000 - 8:28:06 AM; Agreed there's a gap; department initiates, commission resolves, but unclear on fines.
PUC25207: Committee Chair Vote00:31:00.000 - 8:29:06 AM; Made motion to grant waiver and postpone until next month for further legal review.
PUC25207: Unidentified Representative Information Only00:32:00.000 - 8:30:06 AM; Suggested two paths: legislative fix or confirm Department of Energy sets rules for PUC fines.