Committee Summary for Senate Commerce (03/10/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB655 1065S 00:03:05.617 - 8:31:51 AM	Public Hearing	relative to employee leasing companies and workers' compensation coverage options.	Innis, Daniel(R)[B]2025
SB655 1082S 00:18:05.617 - 8:46:51 AM	Executive Session	relative to employee leasing companies and workers' compensation coverage options.	Innis, Daniel(R)[B]2025

SB655 1065S: Senator Tim Lang, Senate District 2 Support00:03:05.617 - 8:31:51 AM; Senator Lang introduces the non-germane amendment 1065S on behalf of Major League Baseball and the Players Association. He explains that the amendment seeks minor changes to New Hampshire labor laws to exempt minor league baseball players based on their new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with MLB. He highlights the upcoming baseball season with the Fisher Cats and notes support from MLB and the union, encouraging the committee to support the exemption to allow enjoyment of baseball in Manchester.
SB655 1065S: John Garrigan, General Counsel, Department of Labor Information Only00:08:00.000 - 8:36:46 AM; John Garrigan, with Deputy Commissioner Daniel Albert, provides technical information on the amendment's impact on labor law enforcement. He explains the nuances of federal preemption in collective bargaining agreements, noting that state claims are generally preempted except in limited cases like record-keeping under RSA 279. The amendment would exempt minor league baseball players from certain minimum wage record-keeping requirements but not others under RSA 275. He suggests defining 'minor league level' for clarity and notes it applies only to players, not other team jobs. He addresses questions on what constitutes a minor league team, mentioning examples like Fisher Cats and New Hampshire Silver Knights.
SB655 1065S: Steve Gonzalez, Senior Vice President and Chief Employment Counsel, Major League Baseball Support00:15:00.000 - 8:43:46 AM; Steve Gonzalez testifies in favor of amendment 2026-1065s, emphasizing the first-ever CBA between MLB and minor league players agreed on March 29, 2023. He clarifies that the CBA provides compensation beyond salary, including housing, meals, per diems, health benefits, retirement, injury salary continuation, tuition assistance, and signing bonuses, meeting or exceeding New Hampshire standards. The exemption addresses impractical hour tracking for players' unique schedules, treating them as salaried workers who engage in self-directed activities for development. He argues against limiting players' access to facilities or time for improvement due to hourly status, noting year-round benefits despite seasonal play. He describes challenges in tracking hours for activities like video review or gym access, supporting the bill to avoid unlimited wage exposure while benefiting players.
SB655 1082S: Mr. Worrell Information Only00:18:05.617 - 8:46:51 AM; Mr. Worrell discusses the further committee amendment to SB 655, addressing notification requirements for client companies to leased employees about workers' compensation coverage. He explains that the amendment requires the client company to notify employees who holds the coverage. In response to questions, he notes flexibility in notification methods (e.g., letter, email) and content, which is not specifically outlined, potentially leading to variations. He confirms the Department of Labor has rulemaking authority under RSA 277-B to specify the form and content of the notice as prescribed by the commissioner.
SB655 1082S: Senator [Unnamed, asking about notice clarity] Information Only00:20:00.000 - 8:48:46 AM; The senator questions whether the notice to employees is clear enough regarding who holds the workers' compensation coverage and suggests adding specific data points. Mr. Worrell responds that it notifies which co-employer is responsible, addressing department concerns, but allows flexibility without detailed content specification.
SB655 1082S: Senator [Unnamed, on line 13] Information Only00:22:00.000 - 8:50:46 AM; The senator points out line 13 referencing 'in a manner prescribed by the commissioner' and asks about it. Mr. Worrell confirms this allows the department to create rules for the notice form under rulemaking authority.
SB655 1082S: Senator Lang Information Only00:25:00.000 - 8:53:46 AM; Senator Lang addresses a mechanical issue with his non-germane amendment 1065S due to the committee amendment altering section numbers. He proposes changes: insert after section 4 and renumber original section 5 to 6, and change line 9 from 4 to 5 before 'minimum wage' to avoid overwriting unintended parts.
SB655 1082S: Senator Murphy Information Only00:28:00.000 - 8:56:46 AM; Senator Murphy expresses concern that the baseball exemption is limited to one team and suggests broadening it to other sports like roller hockey, Silver Knights, or professional rugby, potentially using language for any sport compensated under a CBA. He advocates opening it up for discussion.
SB655 1082S: Senator Fagan Oppose00:30:00.000 - 8:58:46 AM; Senator Fagan opposes broadening the exemption, arguing it would open a larger can of worms. He suggests keeping it to baseball for now and addressing other leagues later, possibly next year or after crossover, noting other leagues are unlikely to have CBAs.
SB655 1082S: Senator [Unnamed, on preference] Information Only00:32:00.000 - 9:00:46 AM; The senator states preference to stick to baseball unless the hearing is noticed differently to include others.
SB655 1082S: Senator [Unnamed, on rules for notice] Information Only00:35:00.000 - 9:03:46 AM; The senator remarks that he hopes the Department of Labor will undertake rules to clarify the notice requirements, and the department nods affirmatively for the record.

Innis, Daniel(Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Ricciardi, Denise(V Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Murphy, Keith(R)[A]2025
Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2025	McGough, Tim(R)[B+]2025	Reardon, Tara(D)[F]2025