Committee Summary for Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (02/18/2025)

Gray, James(Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Lang, Timothy(V Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Perkins Kwoka, Rebecca(D)[F]2025
Rochefort, David(R)[B-]2025	Long, Pat(D)[F]2025

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB105 00:02:12.440 - 8:18:08 AM	Public Hearing	enabling towns to adopt budget caps.	Murphy, Keith(R)[A]2025
SB105 00:10:14.399 - 8:26:10 AM	Executive Session	enabling towns to adopt budget caps.	Murphy, Keith(R)[A]2025
SB223 00:12:54.720 - 8:28:50 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) prohibiting student identification cards from being used as photo identification for purposes of obtaining a ballot.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)[A-]2025
SB2117 00:15:12.920 - 8:31:08 AM	Public Hearing	Unclear	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
SB223 00:12:54.720 - 8:28:50 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) prohibiting student identification cards from being used as photo identification for purposes of obtaining a ballot.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)[A-]2025
SB2117 2024-1453h 00:20:52.200 - 8:36:48 AM	Executive Session	Unclear	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
SB213 00:25:31.080 - 8:41:27 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) relative to electioneering by public employees and relative to absentee voting.	Gray, James(R)[B-]2025
SB221 00:31:59.960 - 8:47:55 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to the verification of voter rolls annually.	Avard, Kevin(R)[B]2025
SB46 2091s 00:36:08.440 - 8:52:04 AM	Executive Session	enabling municipalities to allow land impacted by new construction or reconstruction to be eligible for current use valuation only after a no cut, vegetated buffer is established and maintained.	Ward, Ruth(R)[B-]2025
SB44 00:37:14.560 - 8:53:10 AM	Executive Session	relative to hand counts of ballots in elections.	Avard, Kevin(R)[B]2025
SB224 00:46:33.480 - 9:02:29 AM	Public Hearing	relative to increasing the maximum amount of the optional veterans' tax credit.	Gannon, Bill(R)[B-]2025
SB44 01:29:08.960 - 9:45:04 AM	Executive Session	relative to hand counts of ballots in elections.	Avard, Kevin(R)[B]2025
SB46 01:32:26.840 - 9:48:22 AM	Executive Session	enabling municipalities to allow land impacted by new construction or reconstruction to be eligible for current use valuation only after a no cut, vegetated buffer is established and maintained.	Ward, Ruth(R)[B-]2025
SB103 01:34:43.080 - 9:50:39 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) relative to the number of polling stations that are available for certain towns and cities during a general election which includes the election for the office of President of the United States.	Murphy, Keith(R)[A]2025
SB213 01:36:17.360 - 9:52:13 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) relative to electioneering by public employees and relative to absentee voting.	Gray, James(R)[B-]2025
SB225 01:38:42.719 - 9:54:38 AM	Executive Session	requiring public notice before re-assessment of property values for local tax purposes.	Avard, Kevin(R)[B]2025
SB220 01:46:05.560 - 10:02:01 AM	Executive Session	relative to public hearings and deliberation for the denial of tax exemptions.	Abbas, Daryl(R)[B-]2025

SB105: Keith Murphy, Senate District 16 Support00:02:12.440 - 8:18:08 AM; Senator Keith Murphy introduced Senate Bill 105, which aims to allow towns to adopt spending caps similar to those currently available to cities and school districts. He emphasized the simplicity of the bill, noting that it takes into account population growth and inflation. He clarified that the adoption process for towns would be as close as possible to the process used by cities.
SB105: Unnamed Senator Support00:10:14.399 - 8:26:10 AM; An unnamed senator expressed support for SB105, arguing that it provides a target for town budgets, helping to manage voter expectations and offering a mechanism for exceeding the cap if necessary. The senator highlighted the bill's alignment with existing statutory provisions for spending caps.
SB105: Unnamed Senator Oppose00:11:01.320 - 8:26:57 AM; Another unnamed senator expressed opposition to SB105, questioning the necessity of additional controls on spending. The senator pointed out the additional costs and time associated with a separate ballot required by the bill and suggested that elections already serve as an effective control on spending.
SB223: Unnamed Senator Oppose00:12:54.720 - 8:28:50 AM; An unnamed senator opposed changing the calculation of university system tuitions as proposed in SB223. The senator suggested re-referring the bill to another committee to allow for further consideration, especially in light of upcoming House actions and the impact on student voting during presidential elections.
SB2117: Senator Sullivan, Senate District 18, Manchester Wards 5-9, and the town of Litchfield Support00:15:12.920 - 8:31:08 AM; Senator Sullivan presented Senate Bill 2117, emphasizing the need for increased transparency in taxation. The bill requires that information on county taxes, local and state education taxes, town taxes, and precinct taxes be made available on every town or city's website and social media pages, with graphical representations to illustrate spending flows. Additionally, the bill mandates the breakdown of any proposed new building projects, such as the $2 billion proposal in Manchester, on websites and social media to show the tax impact on residents. This initiative is driven by constituents' demand for clearer information on how proposed projects affect their taxes.
SB223: Unnamed Senator Information Only00:12:54.720 - 8:28:50 AM; The senator was finishing speaking at 00:12:54.720, but no new content from this speaker was provided in the transcript snippet.
SB2117 2024-1453h: Unnamed Senator Information Only00:20:52.200 - 8:36:48 AM; The senator proposed a committee amendment to SB2117, suggesting to strike the word 'resident' on line 19 and replace it with 'per thousand of equalized valuation' to clarify the tax impact. The amendment was seconded and discussed, leading to a vote in favor of the amended bill. There was a question regarding the fiscal note, but it was determined that the administrative burden did not warrant a fiscal note.
SB213: Unnamed Senator Information Only00:25:31.080 - 8:41:27 AM; The senator discussed the need for flexibility in the notary requirement for voter registration, particularly for pre-trial detainees and nursing homes. The concern was that the current bill might not fully address these issues, and the senator suggested further meetings to develop an amendment.
SB221: Senator Kevin Avard Support00:31:59.960 - 8:47:55 AM; Senator Avard presented Senate Bill 221, which seeks to change the verification of the voter checklist from every 10 years to every 5 years. He noted that the bill had previously passed the Senate but not the House, and his constituents wanted another chance at its passage. He expressed openness to amending the timing of verification to occur the year following a presidential election, covering six years of data.
SB46 2091s: Unnamed Senator Information Only00:36:08.440 - 8:52:04 AM; The senator discussed amendment 2091s to SB46, which would allow for a covenant to exempt Shoreland from taxation if approved by a new Shoreland stewardship board. The amendment also includes provisions for the repeal of the covenant if a building permit is issued. The senator suggested a recess to better review the amendment.
SB44: Unnamed Senator Information Only00:37:14.560 - 8:53:10 AM; The senator expressed concerns about the provision in SB44 that allows a small group of voters to override a decision made at a town meeting regarding the use of voting machines. The senator argued that this could be problematic in smaller towns and suggested a potential amendment to change the requirement from a fixed number of voters to a percentage of registered voters.
SB224: Senator Cran Support00:46:33.480 - 9:02:29 AM; Senator Cran presented Senate Bill 224, which aims to increase the optional veterans tax credit from $750 to $1,000, citing the need for a cost-of-living adjustment after eight years. He highlighted the financial burdens faced by veterans, especially with rising property taxes, and emphasized the importance of recognizing veterans' service through this tax relief. He acknowledged that not all towns may adopt the increase due to financial constraints, but stressed the importance of providing the option.
SB224: Jennifer Ramsey, Tax Policy Council for DRA Information Only00:54:22.079 - 9:10:18 AM; Jennifer Ramsey from the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) responded to questions about the interplay of different veteran tax credits. She was unable to provide immediate answers on whether the credits stack or overlap, promising to research and follow up with the committee. She also noted the need to check the total tax liability for veterans across the state.
SB44: Chair Information Only01:29:08.960 - 9:45:04 AM; The Chair proposes an amendment to Senate Bill 44, suggesting that individual voters should have the option to request their ballot be hand counted. This proposal is discussed as a way to address voter concerns about the accuracy of machine-counted ballots without imposing a mandatory hand count. The Chair seeks feedback from the committee on this idea before proceeding with a redraft.
SB44: Committee Member 1 Support01:30:47.239 - 9:46:43 AM; The committee member supports the Chair's suggestion for allowing individual voters to request hand-counted ballots, viewing it as a fair compromise that respects voter preferences without being overly burdensome. They raise a question about potential limitations to manage staff time but overall agree with the concept.
SB44: Committee Member 2 Information Only01:31:33.920 - 9:47:29 AM; This committee member discusses past experiences with low limits on processing absentee ballots, noting that only a small number of voters were needed to trigger extended processing times. They see the proposed amendment as a way to address individual voter mistrust in voting machines, suggesting it as a reasonable compromise.
SB46: Chair Information Only01:32:26.840 - 9:48:22 AM; The Chair expresses uncertainty about Senate Bill 46, which deals with setting property values and a 10% deduction. They need more time to understand the implications before making a decision and mention that the bill does not have a fiscal note.
SB46: Committee Member 3 Information Only01:33:12.320 - 9:49:08 AM; The committee member shares concerns about Senate Bill 46, particularly regarding fixed dollar amounts set for land values under Shoreline Covenants. They worry about the impact on local tax rates and request more time to review the bill and discuss it with the sponsor. They highlight the complexity of property valuation under different shoreline conditions and the need for a nuanced approach.
SB103: Committee Member 4 Information Only01:34:43.080 - 9:50:39 AM; The committee member discusses a conversation with Senator Murphy about Senate Bill 103, focusing on criteria for holding elections in certain venues. They mention that the number of people should not be the sole criterion and that factors like parking and accessibility should also be considered.
SB213: Chair Information Only01:36:17.360 - 9:52:13 AM; The Chair discusses Senate Bill 213, mentioning a strategy to move it forward with an amendment but notes that Senator Roachford's absence might affect this plan. They discuss the urgency of acting on the bill before the committee deadline.
SB213: Committee Member 5 Information Only01:37:05.760 - 9:53:01 AM; The committee member requests more time to bring an amendment to the floor for Senate Bill 213, understanding the Chair's desire to keep the bill moving but needing more time for preparation. They clarify the deadlines for acting on bills and the need to have them out of committee by a specific date.
SB225: Committee Member 6 Information Only01:38:42.719 - 9:54:38 AM; The committee member suggests changes to Senate Bill 225, proposing to reduce the notification period from 90 to 45 days and clarify the requirement for public notices. They discuss the existing law and the proposed amendments, focusing on the need for clear and concise notification requirements.
SB225: Committee Member 7 Information Only01:40:15.280 - 9:56:11 AM; The committee member supports the proposed amendments to Senate Bill 225, emphasizing the importance of clear notification procedures. They discuss the existing law and the need for municipalities to follow specific posting requirements for public hearings.
SB225: Committee Member 8 Support01:44:17.520 - 10:00:13 AM; The committee member moves to amend Senate Bill 225, proposing specific changes to the notification period and public notice requirements. The amendment is seconded, and a vote is taken to approve the bill as amended.
SB220: Chair Information Only01:46:05.560 - 10:02:01 AM; The Chair discusses Senate Bill 220, noting that the sponsor requested it be re-referred. The committee agrees to re-refer the bill as a courtesy to the sponsor, and a motion is made and seconded to do so.