Committee Summary for Senate Energy and Natural Resources (05/13/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB123 21101s 00:06:10.880 - 8:05:06 AM	Executive Session	requiring coverage of ear acupuncture as a treatment for substance misuse under the state Medicaid plan.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)[A-]2025
SB171 00:17:36.559 - 8:16:32 AM	Executive Session	relative to required pay for remote work.	Ricciardi, Denise(R)[B]2025
SB189 1855s 00:20:49.760 - 8:19:45 AM	Executive Session	relative to fetal death records.	Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2025
SB416 1587s 00:22:49.760 - 8:21:45 AM	Executive Session	relative to the pooling and sharing of tips among tipped employees.	McGough, Tim(R)[B+]2025

SB123 21101s: Senator Waters Support00:06:10.880 - 8:05:06 AM; Senator Waters made a motion to pass the bill with amendment 21101s. The amendment creates a commission to study carbon sequestration and timber pre-sequestration, defines timber pre-sequestration, and allows landowners to make payments in lieu of taxes during a moratorium on timber cutting for carbon projects. The moratorium applies to projects over 500 acres but exempts smaller projects and current contracts. The commission's work and the moratorium will end by November 1st, 2027 at the latest.
SB123 21101s: Senator Pearl Oppose00:09:48.760 - 8:08:44 AM; Senator Pearl expressed opposition to the amendment, citing concerns about the 500-acre threshold being too low and the tax credit for timber tax, arguing it does not make landowners whole due to double taxation on the same revenues.
SB123 21101s: Senator Waters Support00:10:44.240 - 8:09:40 AM; Senator Waters responded to Senator Pearl, respecting her position but disagreeing, emphasizing the short-term nature of the moratorium and the commission's goal to find a solution to the complex issue of carbon sequestration. Waters also addressed concerns about the tax credit being current law and not imposing a new tax.
SB123 21101s: Unknown Senator Information Only00:12:08.320 - 8:11:04 AM; An unnamed senator clarified that the amendment offers an alternative to the current problematic application of RSA 795, allowing landowners to come to an agreement with towns for payments in lieu of taxes, making it more functional. The senator also noted that the original proposal in SB123 has been replaced, eliminating double taxation concerns, and the commission will address the carbon sequestration issue.
SB123 21101s: Senator Waters Support00:14:13.800 - 8:13:09 AM; Senator Waters addressed concerns about the moratorium potentially infringing on personal property rights, stating that the Senate attorney confirmed it would not violate property rights as long as owners can enjoy most rights. The moratorium is for a maximum of two years and three months, intended as a pause to find a solution to a complex issue.
SB123 21101s: Senator Maki Information Only00:15:20.720 - 8:14:16 AM; Senator Maki arrived late and was updated on the amendment discussion for SB123 but had no questions or comments.
SB123 21101s: Committee Support00:16:27.120 - 8:15:23 AM; The committee voted to pass SB123 with amendment 21101s on consent, with no opposition.
SB171: Senator Pearl Support00:17:36.559 - 8:16:32 AM; Senator Pearl supported re-referring SB171 to HB2, citing its interwoven nature with the site evaluation commission language in HB2, which is expected to address landfill issues effectively.
SB171: Senator Rosenol Oppose00:18:47.200 - 8:17:43 AM; Senator Rosenol opposed re-referring SB171 to HB2, arguing that it does not have a budget impact and should not be included in the budget bill, despite political reasons to do so.
SB171: Committee Support00:19:32.880 - 8:18:28 AM; The committee voted to re-refer SB171 to HB2 on consent, with no opposition.
SB189 1855s: Senator Ro Support00:20:49.760 - 8:19:45 AM; Senator Ro moved to pass SB189 with amendment 1855s, which refines the definition of clean energy to include minimal to no greenhouse gas emissions from nuclear and other renewable sources, aligning with commonly used terminology.
SB189 1855s: Committee Support00:21:52.039 - 8:20:48 AM; The committee voted to pass SB189 with amendment 1855s on consent, with no opposition.
SB416 1587s: Senator McCi Support00:22:49.760 - 8:21:45 AM; Senator McCi moved to pass SB416 with amendment 1587s, which clarifies the definition of peace officers and restores the term 'purposely' to align with felony level offenses, after consultation with the Attorney General's office.
SB416 1587s: Committee Support00:23:58.960 - 8:22:54 AM; The committee voted to pass SB416 with amendment 1587s on consent, with no opposition.
SB416 1587s: Committee Information Only00:24:53.919 - 8:23:49 AM; The committee was in the process of discussing an executive session on bill SB416 with amendment 1587s. They were addressing motions related to the bill and amendments, specifically amendment 1789s and another amendment 1763s. The discussion included clarification on the amendments, their content, and their relevance to previous bills. There was a motion to pass the bill with amendment 1789s, which involved removing a reference to the Department of Energy and adjusting the wording related to nuclear incentive programs and power purchase agreements. Concerns were raised about the financial risks associated with long-term power purchase agreements, and the potential benefits of enabling nuclear power options were discussed. Amendment 1763s was introduced as a reduced version of Senate Bill 228, focusing on increasing capacity for solar and wind projects and supporting energy projects in educational institutions and public housing.
SB416 1587s: Committee Vote00:40:25.040 - 8:39:21 AM; The committee concluded the vote on SB416 with amendment 1587s, deciding to pass it as amended. There was a brief discussion about not placing it on consent, indicating a preference to keep it off consent for further consideration.
SB416 1587s: Senator Information Only00:41:42.079 - 8:40:38 AM; The Senator provided an update on the Senate Finance Committee's actions regarding House bills, specifically mentioning Senate Bill 504 and its potential impact on House Bill 2. They also discussed ongoing work related to landfill issues and energy bills, particularly those concerning the renewable energy fund. The Senator mentioned a proposed amendment with Senator Pearl that aims to balance the need for funds in 2025 with maintaining support for committed renewable energy projects. This amendment would allow the renewable energy fund to continue, including solar in the portfolio standards, but with limitations to support new energy office costs and new projects up to a total of $5 million annually, with any excess going to the general fund. Hydroelectric power was noted as potentially affected by these changes.

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