Committee Summary for Senate Executive Departments and Administration (01/28/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB92 2024-1453s 00:01:09.439 - 8:00:40 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the collection of birth worksheet information.	Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[F]2025
SB93 00:19:07.880 - 8:18:38 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to licensed nurse assistant (LNA) licensure application materials.	Innis, Daniel(R)[B]2025
SB94 00:37:50.240 - 8:37:21 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) repealing municipal amendments to technical requirements of the state building code in certain circumstances.	McConkey, Mark(R)[B]2025
SB95 01:07:50.319 - 9:07:21 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to youth recreation camp cabins and the state building and fire codes.	McConkey, Mark(R)[B]2025
SB74 01:36:31.560 - 9:36:02 AM	Public Hearing	relative to real property annual reporting requirements of state departments for permitting programs.	Pearl, Howard (R)[B]2025

SB92 2024-1453s: Senator Sydney Rosenwald, Senate District 13 Support00:01:09.439 - 8:00:40 AM; Senator Rosenwald introduced Senate Bill 92, aimed at protecting the privacy of health information on live birth worksheets. She detailed the current practices of the Division of Vital Records in collecting personal health information, which is shared with both state and federal agencies. The bill seeks to limit the disclosure of specific identifiers to the CDC, such as name, medical record number, street address, and year of birth instead of date of birth. An amendment was proposed to allow the sharing of the baby's date of birth with the CDC. The senator emphasized the importance of privacy rights under New Hampshire law and the state's constitution, arguing that individuals own their medical information. The bill's effective date is set to allow time for implementation without immediate financial burden on Vital Records.
SB92 2024-1453s: Representative Bob Lynn, Windham, Rockingham District 17 Support00:10:40.519 - 8:10:11 AM; Representative Lynn expressed his support for Senate Bill 92, emphasizing his stance as a privacy advocate. He commended Senator Rosenwald's detailed work on the bill and agreed with the approach taken to protect individual privacy without compromising other important values. He was confident in the bill's sensibility and readiness to answer any questions from the committee.
SB92 2024-1453s: Representative Carrie Gendreau, Rockingham 28, Portsmouth Support00:12:31.959 - 8:12:02 AM; Representative Gendreau, having recently given birth, supported the bill by stating her belief that personal health information should remain private and not be strongly linked to personally identifiable information. She acknowledged the importance of public health but emphasized that the government does not need such detailed personal data.
SB92 2024-1453s: Aaron Hennessy, Deputy Secretary of State Information Only00:13:32.800 - 8:13:03 AM; Aaron Hennessy, along with Kristen Martino, the state Register and director of Vital Records, appeared to provide information on a potential fiscal impact related to SB92. They had no comments on the policy aspect of the bill but informed the committee of a possible effect on funding for Vital Records improvements, estimated at $668,000 annually. They noted that the CDC could not provide a definitive answer on the impact, and they were open to answering questions regarding the operations of the Division of Vital Records.
SB92 2024-1453s: Ian Watt, Director of the Division of Public Health Services Information Only00:15:58.160 - 8:15:29 AM; Ian Watt, accompanied by legislative liaison Abby Rogers, provided testimony on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health Services. They took a neutral position on SB92 and recognized the New Hampshire division of Vital Records as the lead agency. Watt emphasized the department's commitment to protecting sensitive health data and stated that the bill, as written, would not have a fiscal impact on the department. They appreciated the efforts of the bill's sponsor, Senator Rosenwald, in protecting access to data.
SB93: Grant Bosley, Deputy Chief of Staff of the New Hampshire Senate Support00:19:07.880 - 8:18:38 AM; Grant Bosley introduced Senate Bill 93 on behalf of Senator Dan Innis, emphasizing the importance of administrative rules on businesses and individuals. He proposed the establishment of an office of regulatory efficiency and oversight to monitor and analyze the impact of rules on the private sector. The office would have a staff of four and a budget of $1.5 million, including the ability to hire consultants. Bosley stressed the need for the private sector's voice in government to fuel New Hampshire's economy.
SB93: Drew Klein, President of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy Support00:21:26.919 - 8:20:57 AM; Drew Klein expressed support for Senate Bill 93, citing the need for regulatory oversight to reduce economic burdens. He mentioned New Hampshire's high regulatory ranking and the success of similar efforts in Virginia. Klein suggested amendments to enhance the bill, including requirements for state agencies to review their regulations regularly, a public website for transparency, and a method for proposing less restrictive regulatory alternatives. He also recommended setting a goal for reducing regulatory costs by a specific percentage.
SB93: Drew Klein, President of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy Support00:21:26.919 - 8:20:57 AM; Drew Klein from the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy supports SB93. He argues that the current system of building codes creates inconsistencies across municipalities, which discourages developers and builders from working in certain areas due to the complexity and additional regulations. He believes that adopting a statewide building code would streamline the process, reduce costs, and encourage more housing and commercial development across New Hampshire.
SB94: Senator McCon Support00:37:50.240 - 8:37:21 AM; Senator McCon introduces Senate Bill 94, which aims to prohibit municipal amendments to the State Building Code, as requested by the New Hampshire Home Builders Association. The Senator highlights the current situation where municipalities can adopt codes beyond the state-adopted 2018 energy code, 2021 building code, and 2023 electrical codes, leading to inconsistencies and additional costs. The bill seeks to create uniformity in building codes across the state to reduce confusion and costs for builders and homeowners.
SB94: Matt Mayberry, CEO of the New Hampshire Home Builders Association Support00:41:43.520 - 8:41:14 AM; Matt Mayberry, representing the New Hampshire Home Builders Association, strongly supports SB94. He explains that the current ability of municipalities to impose different building codes leads to a patchwork of regulations that increase costs and delay projects. Mayberry emphasizes the importance of a uniform state building code to address the housing crisis and improve housing development efficiency. He also mentions the need for standardized education for building officials and inspectors.
SB94: Senator Chiller Information Only00:44:36.440 - 8:44:07 AM; Senator Chiller expresses concerns about SB94's impact on local control, a deeply valued principle in New Hampshire. He questions how the state can balance the need for uniformity with the tradition of local governance. Mayberry responds by emphasizing the need for consistency during the housing crisis and mentions that some builders avoid towns with differing codes due to the added complexity and time requirements.
SB94: Brody Dees, New Hampshire Municipal Association Oppose00:50:16.359 - 8:49:47 AM; Brody Dees from the New Hampshire Municipal Association opposes SB94, arguing that recent legislation (Senate Bill 437) has already addressed issues related to local building code amendments. He believes SB94 is premature and overly broad, suggesting that the impact of SB437 needs to be evaluated before further changes are made. Dees emphasizes the importance of local control and the role of municipalities in promoting safety and welfare.
SB94: Philip Sherman, Chair of the Building Code Review Board Information Only00:57:13.359 - 8:56:44 AM; Philip Sherman, Chair of the Building Code Review Board, does not take a position on SB94 but suggests that if the bill moves forward, it should allow for administrative amendments. He proposes moving related sections into RSA 155a and offers to provide an amendment to address these issues. Sherman agrees that the impact of SB437 is still unfolding and suggests considering how to integrate the two bills to avoid multiple ordinance updates.
SB94: Sean Tumi, State Fire Marshal Support01:01:57.000 - 9:01:28 AM; Sean Tumi, State Fire Marshal, supports SB94, emphasizing its benefits for end users like contractors and homeowners. He suggests including language for administrative amendments to address permits, fees, and operational items for fire departments. Tumi highlights the importance of transparency in code expectations and supports the concept of a single state code, noting the progress made in code cycles over recent years.
SB94: Drew Klein, President of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy Support01:05:01.480 - 9:04:32 AM; Drew Klein, returning to testify, supports SB94, echoing his earlier comments on SB93. He states that the inconsistent building codes across municipalities deter developers and increase costs. Klein believes that a statewide code would benefit both housing and commercial development, potentially lowering costs and encouraging more construction activity.
SB94: Al Information Only01:06:17.920 - 9:05:48 AM; Al questioned the previous speaker, Drew Klein, about the vagueness of statements regarding developers' reluctance to work in certain communities. He expressed a need for specific data to support policy-making, noting that policy cannot be based on anecdotal evidence alone. Klein responded that he had informal conversations at events but did not have permission to share those details publicly, though he offered to seek permission to share the information.
SB95: Mark McCon, representing the people of District 3 from Freedom, New Hampshire Support01:07:50.319 - 9:07:21 AM; Mark McCon introduced Senate Bill 95, which aims to address the issue of summer camp cabins and their compliance with the State Building Code. He shared his personal experience living near multiple camps and his past employment at a YMCA camp, highlighting his familiarity with camp operations. McCon discussed the challenges camps face due to changes in local fire and safety regulations, particularly the requirement to install sprinkler systems in old infrastructure. He proposed amendments to the bill to extend the operational days from 150 to 210 and increase the accommodation limit from 60 to 80 persons. Additionally, he suggested adding a clause to define camp facilities under RSA 4003, which he believes has consensus among campground owners.
SB95: Senator Al Information Only01:13:22.560 - 9:12:53 AM; Senator Al inquired about the involvement of the New Hampshire Camps Association with the bill, asking if there was documentation of their support. McCon confirmed that the association would testify in support of the bill.
SB95: Scott Brody, owner and operator of Camps Kenwood and Evergreen, Wilmot, New Hampshire Support01:14:06.280 - 9:13:37 AM; Scott Brody expressed strong support for Senate Bill 95, emphasizing the need for specific building and fire code requirements for summer camp cabins. He highlighted the current lack of tailored regulations, which leads to inconsistent enforcement and burdens camp operators. Brody shared his experience with local fire department inspections and the misclassification of cabins, advocating for a framework that recognizes the unique safety profile of summer camps. He noted the safety measures already in place at camps, such as fire drills and counselor supervision, and supported the proposed exemptions from sprinkler systems while maintaining essential safety features. Brody also mentioned that other states have adopted similar frameworks and praised the collaboration with the state Fire Marshal's office.
SB95: Scott Brody, owner and operator of Camps Kenwood and Evergreen, Wilmot, New Hampshire Information Only01:14:06.280 - 9:13:37 AM; Scott Brody concluded his testimony prior to the provided snippet, discussing camp safety measures and regulations. His testimony ended at 01:14:06.280.
SB95: Unknown Information Only01:21:46.199 - 9:21:17 AM; The speaker addressed the chair, inquiring about insurance requirements for camp safety, particularly regarding sleeping quarters. They explained that insurance companies generally require annual inspections of buildings and compliance with state laws, adapting to specific camp conditions. They also mentioned the high fire risk for camps, especially in light of recent events in California, and discussed measures taken to mitigate fire risks around outdoor fire circles.
SB95: Unknown Information Only01:23:02.520 - 9:22:33 AM; The speaker responded to a question about an amendment proposal to change camp occupancy from 150 to 200 days. They clarified that the traditional 150-day period covers the summer months when children attend camp, but some camps extend their season for events like weddings and reunions. They noted that the request for extending days did not come from their group but possibly from nonprofit and religiously affiliated camps that host youth groups beyond the summer, maintaining a focus on youth activities.
SB95: Sean Toomey, State Fire Marshal Information Only01:26:10.320 - 9:25:41 AM; Sean Toomey, the State Fire Marshal, discussed his collaboration with camp groups to address safety issues. He highlighted inconsistencies in enforcement and the need for guidelines to provide relief. Toomey emphasized the importance of defining youth programs and was mostly agreeable to current amendments. He discussed safety considerations such as egress, smoke detection, and the feasibility of sprinkler systems in camp buildings, acknowledging the challenges of applying full building codes to camps.
SB95: Senator M Information Only01:28:57.560 - 9:28:28 AM; Senator M questioned the safety of accommodating 40 kids on the second floor of a pine board building without fire suppression systems. Sean Toomey responded by explaining that safety depends on factors like exiting, smoke detection, and building layout, noting that many existing camp buildings would comply with current fire codes without sprinklers. He mentioned the importance of early detection and proper egress for safety.
SB95: Senator Alore Information Only01:32:03.159 - 9:31:34 AM; Senator Alore expressed concerns about accommodating 60 or fewer people in a building, particularly if stacked over multiple floors, and questioned the safety with two egresses. Sean Toomey responded, stating that safety concerns increase with larger numbers but depend on building layout. He mentioned the desire to inspect all camps to better understand their conditions and acknowledged the challenge of applying black-and-white regulations to these situations.
SB74: Senator Howard Pearl, District 17, Lowden, New Hampshire Support01:36:31.560 - 9:36:02 AM; Senator Howard Pearl introduced Senate Bill 74, which aims to require state departments that administer permitting programs related to real property to provide annual reports. These reports would detail the department's permitting activities, including the types of permits issued and their success rates. Pearl emphasized the importance of transparency and efficiency in departmental operations, noting that this bill would help both applicants and the legislature monitor progress and effectiveness of these programs.
SB74: Unnamed Speaker, Department of Administrative Services Information Only01:38:05.239 - 9:37:36 AM; The speaker discussed the potential involvement of environmental services, transportation, and the Department of Administrative Services in the permitting process related to the bill. They suggested that the scope of the bill might need to be narrowed based on a conversation with one of the departments. They expressed willingness to consider a more focused approach to see how it works initially.
SB74: Adam Kepo, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Environmental Services Information Only01:39:04.800 - 9:38:35 AM; Adam Kepo from the Department of Environmental Services expressed that the department does not take a position on the bill but suggested that the scope of the bill could be narrowed to focus on land use permitting programs, specifically the alteration of terrain and wetlands permitting programs. He mentioned existing reporting structures and the department's goal to streamline the permitting process to align with the governor's directive of achieving 60-day timelines. Kepo offered to work with the sponsor and others to enhance reporting and support the bill's objectives if the scope is adjusted.
SB74: Senator R Information Only01:40:50.480 - 9:40:21 AM; Senator R questioned Adam Kepo about the suggestion to narrow the scope of the bill to specific permitting programs like alteration of terrain and wetlands. Kepo explained that the department issues around 21,000 permitting actions annually, with a high approval rate. He recommended focusing on the major land use permitting programs, which would cover about 50% of the permits issued, and offered to provide detailed numbers on these programs.
SB74: Brian Gould, Lawyer, Concord, NH Support01:44:02.080 - 9:43:33 AM; Brian Gould, a lawyer from Concord, NH, spoke in support of the bill. With 35 years of experience in permitting, he emphasized the need for more robust data on permitting timelines, which he believes are currently based on anecdotal information. He explained the process and timelines involved in obtaining permits and highlighted the impact of delays on businesses, particularly smaller ones. Gould supported the bill's aim to gather more information about how permitting programs are administered and noted the fiscal note's high cost estimate but believed the data collection could be done more affordably.
SB74: N Grace, BIA, Statewide Chamber of Commerce Support01:55:33.320 - 9:55:04 AM; N Grace from the BIA and Statewide Chamber of Commerce expressed support for the legislation. They agreed with Brian Gould's summary and were open to working with the sponsor and agencies on a potential pilot program. Grace highlighted the importance of the bill in increasing administrative efficiency and aligning with the governor's 60-day permitting goal, as well as addressing the housing crisis.

Pearl, Howard (Chairman)(R)[B]2025	McGough, Tim(V Chairman)(R)[B+]2025	Gannon, Bill(R)[B-]2025
Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2025	Reardon, Tara(D)[F]2025