Committee Summary for Senate Energy and Natural Resources (04/29/2025)

Avard, Kevin(Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Pearl, Howard (V Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Watters, David(D)[D-]2025
Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[F]2025	McConkey, Mark(R)[B]2025

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB504 2024-1728s 00:07:41.440 - 8:06:17 AM	Executive Session	relative to the practice of pharmacy and the dispensing of certain medications by pharmacists.	Rochefort, David(R)[B-]2025
SB672 2024-1597s 00:22:01.919 - 8:20:37 AM	Executive Session	relative to off-grid electricity	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
SB627 00:48:18.000 - 8:46:54 AM	Executive Session	relative to toll rate adjustments, E-Z Pass customer discounts, and the acquisition and improvement of portions of Interstate Route 93 to support the New Hampshire turnpike system and the 2027-2036 ten year transportation plan.	Watters, David(D)[D-]2025
SB682 2024-1444s 00:49:42.720 - 8:48:18 AM	Executive Session	Unclear	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
SB690 00:54:20.319 - 8:52:56 AM	Executive Session	Unclear	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
SB189 01:02:03.839 - 9:00:39 AM	Executive Session	relative to fetal death records.	Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2025
SB404 00:56:37.920 - 8:55:13 AM	Executive Session	relative to economic revitalization zone tax credits.	Gray, James(R)[B-]2025
SB404 00:56:37.920 - 8:55:13 AM	Executive Session	relative to economic revitalization zone tax credits.	Gray, James(R)[B-]2025
SB416 2024-0198h 00:57:54.319 - 8:56:30 AM	Executive Session	relative to the pooling and sharing of tips among tipped employees.	McGough, Tim(R)[B+]2025
SB504 01:00:28.760 - 8:59:04 AM	Executive Session	relative to the practice of pharmacy and the dispensing of certain medications by pharmacists.	Rochefort, David(R)[B-]2025

SB504 2024-1728s: Senator [Name not provided] Information Only00:07:41.440 - 8:06:17 AM; The speaker introduced the amendment 1728s to SB504, aiming to balance the state's energy policy. The amendment seeks to maintain existing policy while incorporating new language to emphasize reliability, diversity, and public health in energy resources. The amendment was discussed in detail, explaining how it addresses concerns about energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, and public health, which were raised during the public hearing.
SB504 2024-1728s: Representative Michael Bose from Epping Information Only00:12:24.079 - 8:11:00 AM; Representative Bose expressed that the amendment incorporates many of the original changes sought for the bill. He had concerns about retaining existing state energy policy language but acknowledged that the amendment accomplishes the goals they aimed for.
SB504 2024-1728s: Senator Rosenwald Information Only00:13:47.079 - 8:12:23 AM; Senator Rosenwald raised a question about the consistency of the amendment's sections, particularly about the inclusion of public health across different sections. The discussion focused on whether public health should be mentioned in every section related to energy resources.
SB504 2024-1728s: Senator [Name not provided] Information Only00:14:55.600 - 8:13:31 AM; The senator responded to concerns about public health and its relevance to different sections of the amendment. They explained that public health is addressed in key areas of the policy, balancing the state's energy independence goals with health considerations.
SB504 2024-1728s: Senator [Name not provided] Information Only00:17:42.559 - 8:16:18 AM; The senator further clarified the inclusion of public health in the amendment, emphasizing its importance in energy efficiency and conservation, which directly impacts living conditions and health.
SB504 2024-1728s: Committee Vote00:19:56.880 - 8:18:32 AM; The committee voted to reconsider and pass the amendment with a minor correction to include the word 'and' on line 27. The amendment was passed as a committee amendment, and subsequently, the bill as amended was passed with no opposition.
SB672 2024-1597s: Senator [Name not provided] Information Only00:22:01.919 - 8:20:37 AM; The senator introduced amendment 1597s to SB672, addressing concerns from Eversource about off-grid electricity definitions. The amendment clarifies that off-grid electricity providers should not be connected to existing electric systems or cross public rights-of-way, with plans to address microgrid issues in future legislation.
SB672 2024-1597s: Senator [Name not provided] Information Only00:24:02.640 - 8:22:38 AM; The senator expressed a concern about the restriction on crossing rights-of-way but agreed to support the amendment due to ongoing discussions planned for future bills.
SB672 2024-1597s: Committee Vote00:24:02.640 - 8:22:38 AM; The committee voted in favor of amendment 1597s and subsequently passed SB672 as amended with no opposition.
SB672 2024-1597s: Committee Information Only00:25:24.400 - 8:24:00 AM; The committee discussed the amendment to SB672, specifically amendment 2024-1597s. They reviewed the amendment language and moved to pass it. Discussions included clarifying language changes, such as changing 'may' to 'shall' in terms of the Department of Energy's obligation to investigate. Additional suggestions were made to include governance considerations of ISO New England and ensure transparency and accountability. The committee also addressed fiscal concerns, noting the potential cost of hiring consultants and the need for specific language to authorize an assessment without general fund impact. They debated the necessity of including a reference to RSA 365:37 to clarify the Department of Energy's authority. The amendment was ultimately passed with changes to include both Senate and House committees in the reporting requirement and to fund the investigation via an assessment under RSA 365:37.
SB672 2024-1597s: Josh Elliott, Director of the Division of Policy and Programs at the Department of Energy Information Only00:29:12.960 - 8:27:48 AM; Josh Elliott confirmed the Department of Energy's authority to conduct an assessment without specific language in the bill, as they are already authorized under RSA 365:37. He noted that the assessment would not impact the general fund and suggested clarifying the language to ensure the department's ability to perform the required investigation.
SB672 2024-1597s: Senator Information Only00:32:30.640 - 8:31:06 AM; The senator discussed the fiscal note attached to the bill, expressing concern about the $200,000 cost for hiring consultants and the lack of appropriation. They debated whether to add an appropriation as a committee amendment to be considered in finance, and discussed the implications of the assessment being conducted under RSA 365:37.
SB672 2024-1597s: Senator Information Only00:33:30.880 - 8:32:06 AM; The senator suggested including a reference to RSA 365:37 in the amendment to clarify the Department of Energy's authority to conduct the assessment. They proposed inserting specific language on line five of the amendment to ensure clarity on the investigation's scope and funding source.
SB672 2024-1597s: Senator Information Only00:34:37.760 - 8:33:13 AM; The senator reviewed the amendment's language and confirmed the addition of the phrase 'shall conduct an investigation' to clarify the Department of Energy's authority and responsibilities. They discussed the fiscal note and the potential impact of the amendment on the cost, suggesting that an updated fiscal note would be necessary.
SB672 2024-1597s: Senator Information Only00:36:40.200 - 8:35:16 AM; The senator proposed finalizing the amendment language to include funding by an assessment in accordance with RSA 365:37. They confirmed the language changes and moved to vote on the amendment, which was approved by the committee.
SB627: Senator Rosenwald Support00:48:18.000 - 8:46:54 AM; Senator Rosenwald moved to pass SB627, which permits the public utilities commission to approve new providers for the light lifeline program. The motion was seconded, and after a brief discussion, the bill was passed with consent.
SB682 2024-1444s: Senator Support00:49:42.720 - 8:48:18 AM; The Senator moved to pass SB682 with amendment 2024-1444s. The amendment focuses on the development of clean energy resources in the Gulf of Maine, including assessments of port facilities, economic impact, supply chain analysis, and workforce development. The amendment also addresses the ability to study fishing interests out to 200 miles and the potential for grants to study impacts. The bill and amendment were passed with consent after discussion.
SB690: Senator Information Only00:54:20.319 - 8:52:56 AM; The Senator mentioned that SB690 had already been discussed and passed, indicating no further action was needed at this time.
SB189: Senator Information Only01:02:03.839 - 9:00:39 AM; The Senator discussed the need for a slight wording change to SB189, specifically regarding the definition of clean energy to align more closely with minimal to no greenhouse gas emissions. The Senator planned to work on this amendment with Representative Thomas and proposed to revisit the bill the following week.
SB404: Senator Information Only00:56:37.920 - 8:55:13 AM; The Senator mentioned having an amendment in mind for SB710 but noted it was not yet drafted. The Senator proposed to wait until the next week to discuss and finalize the amendment.
SB404: Senator Support00:56:37.920 - 8:55:13 AM; The Senator moved to pass SB404, which expands the definition of family under the voluntary hike safe card. The Senator expressed support for the hike safe card and noted that the bill was ready to pass. The bill was passed with consent.
SB416 2024-0198h: Senator Information Only00:57:54.319 - 8:56:30 AM; The Senator discussed an amendment to SB416 regarding the definition of a peace officer and the need to add a request by DES on lines 10-11. The Senator also mentioned a conversation about the term 'purposely' on line 22 and the potential felony charge. The Senator proposed to finalize the amendment the following week.
SB504: Senator Information Only01:00:28.760 - 8:59:04 AM; The Senator confirmed that SB504 had already been discussed and passed, indicating no further action was needed at this time.