Committee Summary for Senate Commerce (10/30/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB410 00:05:12.800 - 12:04:28 PM	Executive Session	(New Title) limiting local authority to adopt restrictions on the building and development of residential properties.	Read, Ellen(D)[D]2025
HB639 2025-1909s 00:07:12.800 - 12:06:28 PM	Executive Session	relative to the use of and disputes over blockchain and digital currencies.	Ammon, Keith(R)[A]2025
SB66 00:15:45.120 - 12:15:01 PM	Executive Session	relative to third-party veterans' claims assistance and protection.	Lang, Timothy(R)[B-]2025
HB649 2025-3066s 00:27:17.600 - 12:26:33 PM	Executive Session	(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

HB410: Committee Chair Information Only00:05:12.800 - 12:04:28 PM; The chair calls the committee to order and opens discussion on HB 410, moving for interim study.
HB410: Senator Murphy Information Only00:06:11.919 - 12:05:27 PM; Senator Murphy supports the intent of the bill but believes it is too early and fast to implement, suggesting to monitor progress on recent housing bills and revisit later.
HB639 2025-1909s: Senator Rashbani Oppose00:07:12.800 - 12:06:28 PM; Senator Rashbani expresses concerns about negative impacts on the state, including noise, electric grid strain, and water usage, citing examples from Kansas where fixes were needed post-passage. She wants further work and to bring it back next session to represent constituent concerns.
HB639 2025-1909s: Senator McHugh Support00:09:33.440 - 12:08:49 PM; Senator McHugh offers amendment 2025-1909s requested by the Secretary of State and Treasurer to improve the definition of digital asset exchange and strengthen the bill.
HB639 2025-1909s: Senator Murphy Support00:10:31.040 - 12:09:47 PM; Senator Murphy supports the bill, noting that it addresses noise issues by complying with local ordinances and argues New Hampshire should be open to blockchain industry despite energy costs, sending a positive message to the community.
HB639 2025-1909s: Senator Rashbani Oppose00:12:33.519 - 12:11:49 PM; Senator Rashbani raises concerns about fraud, comparing to Georgia's bill that bars treating cryptocurrency as securities, citing investigations and harms to investors, calling for consumer protections.
HB639 2025-1909s: Senator McHugh Information Only00:13:32.560 - 12:12:48 PM; Senator McHugh notes the split vote and constituent concerns, suggesting to put the bill to rest and possibly bring it back later.
HB639 2025-1909s: Senator Rashbani Information Only00:14:32.000 - 12:13:48 PM; Senator Rashbani prefers interim study to allow the sponsor to make corrections.
SB66: Committee Chair Information Only00:15:45.120 - 12:15:01 PM; The chair moves for interim study on SB 66, noting it needs more attention despite good intent, due to objections from respected experts.
SB66: Senator Tim Lang Support00:16:43.040 - 12:15:59 PM; Senator Lang, prime sponsor, explains the bill expands services for New Hampshire's large veteran population by allowing more providers with regulatory frameworks to prevent exploitation, addressing delays in help. He mentions an amendment to address concerns and hopes for OTP to allow House review.
SB66: Senator Murphy Oppose00:20:38.159 - 12:19:54 PM; Senator Murphy questions how the bill expands services while prohibiting compensation for referrals and limiting terms, viewing it as the state dictating contract terms rather than just enforcing them.
SB66: Senator Lang Support00:21:44.799 - 12:21:00 PM; Senator Lang clarifies the prohibitions protect vulnerable veterans, especially those with brain trauma, by ensuring clear contracts, upstanding providers, and limits on compensation.
SB66: Senator Murphy Oppose00:22:42.240 - 12:21:58 PM; Senator Murphy respectfully disagrees, appreciating the intent but opposing government overreach in protecting people from themselves.
SB66: Senator (Unnamed) Information Only00:23:40.320 - 12:22:56 PM; Suggests a pilot program to test if the bill enhances veteran care without issues, similar to energy pilots.
HB649 2025-3066s: Senator McHugh Support00:27:17.600 - 12:26:33 PM; Senator McHugh moves to pass with amendment 2025-3066s, which restores language from SB 157 on rental fleet passenger registrations that was repealed by HB2, and ensures fleet vehicles are not subject to inspections like others, correcting unintended effects.
HB649 2025-3066s: Senator McHugh Information Only00:31:21.039 - 12:30:37 PM; Senator McHugh clarifies the amendment's impact, noting it removes inspection requirements for rental car fleets but unintentionally omitted restorations for school buses and hazmat vehicles. He supports adding language to require inspections for school buses and placarded hazardous materials vehicles as defined in 49 CFR part 172 subpart F, referencing an earlier draft. He explains the original intent was not to repeal provisions from Senate Bill 157, which was signed by the governor.
HB649 2025-3066s: Chairman Information Only00:33:43.679 - 12:32:59 PM; The Chairman suggests adopting the amendment with the assumption of a floor amendment to fix omissions regarding school buses and hazmat vehicles.
HB649 2025-3066s: Senator Perkins Information Only00:34:41.199 - 12:33:57 PM; Senator Perkins inquires if the amendment was developed with input from the Department of Safety or Attorney General's office and expresses concern about potential floor amendments affecting school bus inspections. He supports restoring inspections for school buses to ensure child safety and for hazmat vehicles.
HB649 2025-3066s: Senator Rashardy Information Only00:35:39.440 - 12:34:55 PM; Senator Rashardy simplifies the discussion, explaining that prior to the full repeal of inspections, a bill eased burdens on rental fleets. The amendment corrects this by removing fleet inspection requirements and supports adding school bus inspections for vulnerable children.
HB649 2025-3066s: Eddie Edwards, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Safety Support00:37:03.839 - 12:36:19 PM; Eddie Edwards introduces himself and Lieutenant Thomas Colin. They support reestablishing inspections for school buses and hazardous materials vehicles. Edwards notes that repealing rental fleet inspections aligns with legislative policy, leaving it to rental companies. He addresses concerns about increased road costs due to uninspected vehicles, anticipating more abandoned or unsafe vehicles.
HB649 2025-3066s: Lieutenant Thomas Colin, State Police Troop G Support00:37:03.839 - 12:36:19 PM; Lieutenant Colin oversees commercial vehicle enforcement and supports the amendment's provisions for school buses and hazmat vehicles. He anticipates challenges with uninspected vehicles leading to more enforcement needs.
HB649 2025-3066s: Senator Rashardy Support00:40:09.440 - 12:39:25 PM; Senator Rashardy presents amendment 3065s, which defines unsafe motor vehicles under RSA 266, strengthens consumer protections for used vehicle purchases, prohibits temporary plates on unsafe vehicles, aligns effective dates with the inspection repeal on January 31, 2026, and prevents New Hampshire from becoming a dumping ground for unsafe vehicles. It is supported by the Governor's office, Department of Safety, and safety task force.
HB649 2025-3066s: Senator Perkins Oppose00:42:20.000 - 12:41:36 PM; Senator Perkins acknowledges the amendment's consumer protections but criticizes it as bare minimum, expecting increased costs for law enforcement to handle unsafe vehicles. He reiterates the need for full inspections due to no insurance requirement, leaving families vulnerable.
HB649 2025-3066s: Eddie Edwards, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Safety Support00:44:17.440 - 12:43:33 PM; Edwards supports the amendment for establishing clear criteria for unsafe vehicles, aiding law enforcement in fair enforcement without turning officers into mechanics. He emphasizes training for 4,000 officers and consistency across jurisdictions to avoid liability.
HB649 2025-3066s: Lieutenant Thomas Colin, State Police Troop G Support00:49:48.480 - 12:49:04 PM; Colin explains that defects may manifest during stops or crashes, justifying inclusion of criteria like frame issues or tires for enforcement.
HB649 2025-3066s: Senator Burke Information Only00:47:34.400 - 12:46:50 PM; Senator Burke questions the practicality of officers assessing complex defects like cracked frames or tire tread on the roadside without mechanic expertise.
HB649 2025-3066s: Senator McHugh Support00:48:46.720 - 12:48:02 PM; Senator McHugh defends the amendment, noting experienced troopers can identify issues better than local officers and that criteria prevent liability from inconsistent enforcement.
HB649 2025-3066s: Senator Murphy Information Only00:51:48.880 - 12:51:04 PM; Senator Murphy questions how law enforcement develops reasonable suspicion for unsafe vehicles and if the director can suspend registrations based on criteria like cracked windshields.
HB649 2025-3066s: Senator McHugh Support00:53:06.640 - 12:52:22 PM; Senator McHugh clarifies that without criteria, officers make subjective decisions post-repeal, potentially towing vehicles unfairly. He highlights risks like abandoned vehicles burdening the state and safety issues from unsafe cars bought out-of-state.
HB649 2025-3066s: Senator Perkins Oppose00:55:03.920 - 12:54:19 PM; Senator Perkins notes prior testimony against law enforcement becoming inspectors but sees the amendment as shifting that burden. He questions the shift towards empowering limited inspections despite earlier objections.
HB649 2025-3066s: Eddie Edwards, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Safety Support00:56:07.040 - 12:55:23 PM; Edwards reconciles that officers do not want to be mechanics but must ensure public safety. The amendment provides guidelines, not full inspections, to standardize enforcement and reduce liability across departments.
HB649 2025-3066s: Senator Perkins Oppose00:57:57.200 - 12:57:13 PM; Senator Perkins views the amendment as marginal progress due to the prior repeal decision, now burdening law enforcement and exposing them to liability for unsafe vehicles left on roads.
HB649 2025-3066s: Senator McKin Information Only00:59:56.240 - 12:59:12 PM; Senator McKin questions the need for the amendment since RSA 266 still covers brakes, lighting, etc., confusing why additional empowerment for inspections is required.
HB649 2025-3066s: Brandon Grod, Senior Assistant Attorney General Support01:01:02.559 - 1:00:18 PM; Brandon Grod explains the amendment requires dealers to provide written disclosures on vehicle examinations for compliance with RSA 266 equipment requirements: compliance, deficiencies listed, or no examination (buyer beware). It enables enforcement against deceptive practices, protects consumers in used car sales, and applies only to trade/commerce, not private sales. He notes most complaints involve dealers and enforcement is feasible without extra resources.
HB649 2025-3066s: Senator Murphy Information Only01:06:38.559 - 1:05:54 PM; Senator Murphy confirms the amendment applies only to dealers, not private sales, which often involve older, riskier cars, questioning why private sales are unregulated despite higher risks.
HB649 2025-3066s: Senator Rashardy Support01:13:45.440 - 1:13:01 PM; In shock, Senator Rashardy urges passage of amendment 3065s for safety and consumer protections, supported by Department of Safety, Governor's Office, and task force, emphasizing impacts on constituents, children, and officers.
HB649 2025-3066s: Chairman Information Only01:14:41.600 - 1:13:57 PM; The Chairman notes the process allows revisiting as a floor amendment and proceeds to vote without recommendation on HB 649.

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