Committee Summary for Senate Commerce (04/08/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB98 00:05:51.120 - 8:34:47 AM	Executive Session	relative to professional limited liability company (PLLC) assistant manager status.	Turer, Eric(D)[F]2025
HB150 00:06:37.520 - 8:35:33 AM	Executive Session	enabling homestead operations to use commercial kitchen equipment in preparing food for sale.	Comtois, Barbara(R)[B+]2025
HB279 00:12:12.720 - 8:41:08 AM	Executive Session	establishing a committee to study recipe and process approval for homestead foods.	Bixby, Peter(D)[F]2025
HB304 00:13:00.399 - 8:41:56 AM	Executive Session	relative to labeling requirements for food produced in homestead kitchens.	Bixby, Peter(D)[F]2025
HB307 00:13:45.680 - 8:42:41 AM	Executive Session	relative to the food production area for homestead food.	Bixby, Peter(D)[F]2025
HB371 00:14:33.839 - 8:43:29 AM	Executive Session	relative to the definition of occasional food service establishment.	Aron, Judy(R)[A-]2025
HB225 00:15:23.920 - 8:44:19 AM	Executive Session	relative to the employment of military spouses in the event of involuntary deployment of service member.	Creighton, James(R)[B+]2025
HB649 00:32:07.279 - 9:01:03 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to motor vehicle registration and registration fees pertaining to the rental fleet passenger vehicle registration program and motor vehicle inspections.	Granger, Michael(R)[A+]2025
HB406 01:41:28.960 - 10:10:24 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the formation of fraudulent businesses.	Bay, Luz(D)[F]2025
HB499 02:00:35.679 - 10:29:31 AM	Public Hearing	making technical corrections to certain insurance laws.	Hunt, John(R)[B+]2025
HB242 02:12:21.040 - 10:41:17 AM	Public Hearing	relative to brew pub licenses.	Hunt, John(R)[B+]2025

HB98: Chair Information Only00:05:51.120 - 8:34:47 AM; The chair opened the executive session and called for a motion on House Bill 98. A motion to pass was made and seconded, followed by a unanimous vote in favor with no opposition, resulting in the bill being placed on consent.
HB150: Chair Information Only00:06:37.520 - 8:35:33 AM; The chair introduced House Bill 150, which defines equipment in a homestead food operation. A motion to pass was made but did not receive a second, leading to a discussion.
HB150: Senator Information Only00:07:31.039 - 8:36:27 AM; The senator discussed the cottage industry of homestead food operations in New Hampshire, mentioning the limited list of recipes and the use of equipment. They suggested that such matters should be handled by industry groups rather than state legislation, and expressed skepticism about the necessity of the bill, noting it's optional rather than mandatory.
HB150: Chair Information Only00:09:03.080 - 8:37:59 AM; The chair responded to the senator's comments, discussing the origins of the bill from a study committee recommendation and the clarification it aims to provide. They considered whether the issue could be addressed through FAQs rather than legislation, and questioned the precedent it might set for other groups.
HB150: Senator Information Only00:09:50.320 - 8:38:46 AM; The senator supported the idea that the bill would help clarify the situation for home cooks and streamline the process, despite not being urgent.
HB150: Chair Information Only00:11:23.760 - 8:40:19 AM; The chair made another motion to pass House Bill 150, which was seconded. The motion passed with a vote of four to one, and the bill was placed on consent.
HB279: Chair Information Only00:12:12.720 - 8:41:08 AM; The chair introduced House Bill 279 regarding recipes for homestead food operations. A motion to pass was made and seconded, with no opposition noted. The bill was passed and placed on consent.
HB304: Chair Information Only00:13:00.399 - 8:41:56 AM; The chair introduced House Bill 304 concerning labeling requirements for homestead food operations. A motion to pass was made and seconded, with a discussion on health and safety, particularly for people with allergies. The bill passed unanimously and was placed on consent.
HB307: Chair Information Only00:13:45.680 - 8:42:41 AM; The chair introduced House Bill 307 related to homestead food production. A motion to pass was made and seconded, with no opposition. The bill passed unanimously and was placed on consent.
HB371: Chair Information Only00:14:33.839 - 8:43:29 AM; The chair introduced House Bill 371, which expands the definition of an occasional restaurant establishment. A motion to pass was made and seconded, and the bill passed unanimously with no opposition, being placed on consent.
HB225: Chair Information Only00:15:23.920 - 8:44:19 AM; The chair discussed House Bill 225, which was held off until an amendment could be drafted to make it more palatable for smaller businesses. The bill was postponed until at least Thursday or next Tuesday.
HB649: Chair Information Only00:32:07.279 - 9:01:03 AM; The chair reopened the public hearing on House Bill 649, reminding participants of the three-minute limit on comments and the request to submit written testimony for review rather than reading it aloud. They prepared to hear from the first speaker, Julie Smith.
HB649: Unnamed Speaker Support00:33:34.080 - 9:02:30 AM; The speaker expressed support for HB649, agreeing with all points made in favor of the bill during the previous week's hearing. They shared a personal anecdote about a check engine light issue with their 2006 Scion XP, highlighting the challenges of dealing with automotive dealers. They also criticized the emissions sticker tax in the Nashua metropolitan area, drawing parallels to historical targeting and questioning its effectiveness. They concluded by objecting to the involvement of the highest paid senator backed by the New Hampshire Automobile Dealers Association and urged the committee to vote 'ought to pass'.
HB649: Neil Trindad, Owner of Neil's Laconia Garage in Laconia Oppose00:37:32.040 - 9:06:28 AM; Neil Trindad, a certified L1 master technician and owner of Neil's Laconia Garage in Laconia, opposed HB649. He regretted using the term 'scam' to describe the inspection program and argued that the program has become self-defeating. He highlighted the complexity of modern vehicles and the limitations of the OBD testing system. Trindad also questioned the effectiveness of the program in enhancing safety, citing the lack of conclusive evidence. He noted the declining number of states with mandatory inspection programs and urged the committee to consider the value of personal responsibility and the negative impact of the program on automotive technicians.
HB649: Aubrey Freriedman, Bridgewater Support00:41:23.599 - 9:10:19 AM; Aubrey Freriedman from Bridgewater supported HB649, citing his experience in California, which does not mandate annual inspections despite its stringent regulations. He mentioned a report comparing crash rates between states with and without inspection mandates, showing no significant difference. He shared a personal story about a client who faced unnecessary expenses due to a minor windshield nick during an inspection, emphasizing the financial burden on lower-income individuals. Freriedman concluded by advocating for the bill's passage to eliminate the inspection program.
HB649: Christopher Rice, Owner of 1028 Towing and Recovery in Rochester Information Only00:43:41.599 - 9:12:37 AM; Christopher Rice from Rochester, owner of 1028 Towing and Recovery, testified as neutral on HB649. He highlighted the safety risks for tow truck drivers on highways, using his personal experience to illustrate the potential dangers of eliminating the inspection program. Rice mentioned the use of salt on New Hampshire roads contributing to vehicle wear and tear. He also clarified the misconception about the timing of vehicle inspections and registrations, suggesting that proper maintenance can mitigate issues. He concluded by urging the committee to consider all perspectives before deciding on the bill.
HB649: Jeremy Simpson Support00:49:09.839 - 9:18:05 AM; Jeremy Simpson supported HB649, arguing that the inspection program does not guarantee vehicle safety, as issues like broken ball joints or bypassed oxygen sensors can still occur. He criticized the condition of New Hampshire roads, suggesting that poor road quality poses a greater threat to vehicle safety than the absence of inspections. Simpson also mentioned the upcoming e-waste problem and advocated for recycling and reusing vehicles until they are completely unusable. He urged the committee to pass the bill and focus on improving road conditions.
HB649: Dave Dupont, Former Owner of a Family and Auto Repair Shop in Dover Oppose00:52:30.079 - 9:21:26 AM; Dave Dupont, a retired L1 master technician and former owner of a family and auto repair shop in Dover, opposed HB649. He emphasized the significant financial and legal impacts of eliminating the inspection program, citing testimony from state agencies. Dupont highlighted the importance of the check engine light in indicating vehicle pollution and poor fuel economy. He expressed concerns about the safety implications of eliminating motorcycle inspections and the potential increase in accidents due to uninspected vehicles. He suggested holding off on repealing the laws until adjustments could be made to address the issues raised by agencies and experts.
HB649: Paul Wolf Support01:00:53.880 - 9:29:49 AM; Paul Wolf supported HB649, criticizing the inspection program as a money-making venture for those performing the inspections. He pointed out the conflict of interest in the current system, where technicians are incentivized to find issues, necessary or not. Wolf argued that people can inspect their own vehicles without mandatory requirements and questioned the legislative authority to modify the inspection rules, suggesting it lies with the joint legislative committee on administrative rules. He concluded by advocating for the removal of the mandatory inspection program in line with New Hampshire's 'Live Free or Die' ethos.
HB649: Reanita Susman from Meredith Oppose01:05:17.599 - 9:34:13 AM; Reanita Susman shared two experiences that led her to oppose the current vehicle inspection system. Firstly, she recounted a frustrating incident with her 2020 car's inspection where a software glitch caused unnecessary driving and time loss. Secondly, she described a negative encounter with a dealership over a detached rearview mirror, which they claimed required a new windshield costing nearly $2,000. However, a local repair shop fixed it for free, highlighting the disparity in service and cost. She emphasized her experiences to argue that such issues are not rare and that the system leads to distrust and additional burdens on individuals.
HB649: Eric Olsson from Litchfield Oppose01:08:23.880 - 9:37:19 AM; Eric Olsson spoke about the challenges of getting his Tesla inspected, having to visit three different shops before finding one willing to work on it. He argued against the requirement of purchasing a service that some mechanics are unqualified or unwilling to provide. He also debunked the notion that electric vehicles (EVs) require more frequent brake maintenance due to their weight, stating that regenerative braking in EVs significantly reduces brake wear. Additionally, he critiqued the overall safety and time efficiency of the mandatory inspection system, suggesting it causes unnecessary accidents and wastes time.
HB649: Alex Limp from Newport Oppose01:11:09.600 - 9:40:05 AM; Alex Limp shared his father's experience of receiving different costly opinions from three places for his truck's inspection, which led to a lack of trust in the mandated system. He suggested that if the standards were clear and not government-mandated, there would be more trust and people might still choose to get their vehicles inspected voluntarily.
HB649: Daniel Koenig from Brookline Support01:12:41.520 - 9:41:37 AM; Daniel Koenig argued in favor of the bill, expressing disappointment with the previous session dominated by special interests. He criticized the misunderstanding of the bill's intent, which is to allow the free market to handle vehicle inspections rather than eliminate them. He referenced Bastiat to illustrate the confusion between government and societal roles and highlighted the testimony about unsafe vehicles on the road, suggesting that the current system fails to ensure safety. He mentioned his experience from a northern state without mandatory inspections where the market provides free inspections during oil changes.
HB649: Leah Wolsk from Manchester Oppose01:15:47.199 - 9:44:43 AM; Leah Wolsk questioned the effectiveness and fairness of the mandatory yearly inspections. She argued that there is no evidence that states with such requirements have fewer crashes or fatalities, suggesting the system does not improve safety. She shared her experience with her Chevy Malibu, which required a workaround to pass inspection due to a recurring light issue. She also mentioned her neighbor's financial struggles to pass inspection, labeling the system as regressive and burdensome, especially for the poor.
HB649: Steve Zamanic from Manchester Oppose01:20:49.840 - 9:49:45 AM; Steve Zamanic described New Hampshire's inspection sticker program as a scam, citing his extensive experience with cars. He criticized the program for rules unrelated to safety, inconsistency among inspection stations, and the failure of legislative efforts like House Bill 1517 to address issues such as cosmetic rust. He mentioned personal experiences of unnecessary repair quotes and suggested that the program does not effectively keep unsafe cars off the road. He also noted that other states without mandatory inspections still manage safety through insurance mandates.
HB649: Tim Austin from Fitzwilliam Support01:26:39.679 - 9:55:35 AM; Tim Austin, an auto repair shop owner, supported maintaining the inspection system, emphasizing its importance for safety and environmental concerns. He explained the significance of the check engine light in maintaining the air-fuel ratio for reduced pollution. He acknowledged issues with some mechanics but stressed the importance of inspections in preventing unsafe vehicles on the road, citing an example of a truck with rotted brake lines. He argued that eliminating inspections could lead to increased pollution and environmental damage.
HB649: Lawrence Arts, NSHA Support01:31:28.000 - 10:00:24 AM; Lawrence Arts, a former state representative and holder of an inspection license, supports the elimination of the vehicle inspection bill. He shared a personal anecdote about a friend who was advised to replace both drive axles and other components on a 2004 Hyundai, despite only having a minor issue with an inner CV boot. Arts pointed out that the car was exempt from emissions testing due to its age, and the check engine light was being weaponized by auto manufacturers with codes unrelated to emissions. He has been opposed to the emissions program since the mid-90s and sent further testimony via email.
HB649: Jeremy Olsen, Manchester Support01:35:38.480 - 10:04:34 AM; Jeremy Olsen from Manchester shared multiple experiences with the vehicle inspection system, highlighting its flaws. He mentioned a case where a car's digital odometer maxed out, causing an inspection failure and requiring a $500 replacement. Another issue involved a former police car he purchased, which failed inspection due to modifications not legal for civilian vehicles. He also recounted a dealer scam where a car was sold with a valid sticker but had a severely rusted exhaust system. Lastly, he described an instance during the COVID-19 period where he was charged for a reinspection after a long delay in tire delivery, and a friend's Volkswagen TDI was deemed unusable due to a sensor issue despite being drivable. Olsen supports the bill and has collected many similar stories.
HB406: L. Bay, Straford County District 21 Support01:41:28.960 - 10:10:24 AM; Representative L. Bay from Straford County District 21, which includes Dover wards 2, 3, 5, and 6, introduced HB406 as the primary sponsor. The bill addresses fraudulent business registrations following concerns from constituents who own Asian restaurants in Dover and Portsmouth. These businesses were targeted by fraudulent entities using similar names and their addresses. The process to dissolve these fraudulent businesses involves the Secretary of State's office sending a letter to the new business address, marking it 'not in good standing' if returned, and eventually dissolving it. Bay supports the bill to prevent such exploitation and protect legitimate business owners, noting that the amended version might still allow fraudulent registrations if the address used is not a verifiable business location.
HB406: Aaron Hennessy, Deputy Secretary of State Support01:50:24.239 - 10:19:20 AM; Aaron Hennessy, representing the Secretary of State's office, supported HB406. He explained that the bill aims to address the issue of fraudulent business filings in New Hampshire. He highlighted the increase in such fraudulent activities and noted that the legislation, drafted by Tom Connelly, provides tools to react more effectively to these fraudulent businesses.
HB406: Tom Connelly, Division Leader of Corporations Division, Secretary of State's Office Support01:51:13.040 - 10:20:09 AM; Tom Connelly supported HB406 and provided detailed insight into the types of business fraud the bill aims to combat, including synthetic entities and company hijacking. He explained how the current system does not provide adequate remedies for such fraud and how HB406 would allow for more expeditious action against fraudulent filings. He also discussed plans to enhance the online filing system to better detect and prevent fraud.
HB406: Senator Rearen Information Only01:56:01.360 - 10:24:57 AM; Senator Rearen asked about the name approval process for businesses at the Secretary of State's office. He expressed surprise that similar names in the same industry were approved and inquired about future software enhancements that might help prevent such issues. Tom Connelly responded by explaining the change in the legal standard for business names from 'likely to be mistaken or confused' to 'legally distinguishable' in 2016, which allows for more similar names to be accepted.
HB499: Representative John Hunt, Rindge Support02:00:35.679 - 10:29:31 AM; Representative John Hunt, representing Rindge, introduced HB499 as a housekeeping measure for the Insurance Department. He emphasized that the bill aims to streamline fees and eliminate unnecessary ones, noting that the Insurance Department took proactive steps towards efficiency without external mandates.
HB499: DJ Bettinport, Commissioner of the New Hampshire Insurance Department Information Only02:01:44.080 - 10:30:40 AM; Commissioner DJ Bettinport of the New Hampshire Insurance Department, along with Michelle Heaton and Emily Dhy, presented on the efforts to modernize and update insurance-related statutes. The department has been reviewing and updating the language to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. The proposal discussed is part of ongoing efforts to align state laws with changes, including the No Surprises Act, which prohibits balance billing. The department has been implementing Senate Bill 173 by writing rules and needed to clean up statutory language to match the federal No Surprises Act. Additionally, the department proposed a notification requirement for carriers withdrawing from lines of business, following confusion caused by changes in Medicare Advantage offerings. Further sections of the bill included cleanup of language related to unadmitted surplus lines of insurance and adjustments to the capital reserve requirements for new insurance companies to filter out non-serious proposals while remaining business-friendly.
HB242: Representative John Hunt, Rindge Information Only02:12:21.040 - 10:41:17 AM; Representative John Hunt from Rindge discussed House Bill 242, which relates to the three-tier system of alcohol distribution. He explained the historical context of brew pubs, which were seen as a deviation from the three-tier system. He mentioned a specific case in Portsmouth where a brew pub operated separately from other businesses, despite potential familial connections. The bill aimed to allow beer produced by a brew pub to be distributed to multiple restaurant locations owned by the same entity, as long as production stayed within legal limits. An amendment to the bill, which had been passed by the Senate the previous year, was lost due to a procedural error. Hunt expressed hope that a similar issue currently on the Senate table would not progress and requested support for the bill as it originally passed the Senate.

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