Committee Summary for Senate Executive Departments and Administration (03/25/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1157 00:01:44.002 - 8:00:46 AM	Public Hearing	relative to licensure as a pet vendor.	Bixby, Peter(D)[F]2025
HB1569 00:11:10.068 - 8:10:12 AM	Public Hearing	repealing the directive that the state sell the Anna Philbrook Center for Children property in Concord.	Wallner, Mary Jane(D)[F]2025
HB1631 00:26:10.068 - 8:25:12 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the contents of the attorney general's annual report detailing state forfeiture information for the preceding fiscal year.	Popovici-Muller, Daniel(R)[A-]2025
HB1805 00:31:13.471 - 8:30:15 AM	Public Hearing	relative to physical fitness performance requirements for certified law enforcement officers.	Colby, Eleana (D)[F]2025
HB1097 01:31:13.471 - 9:30:15 AM	Public Hearing	requiring legislative approval of the amendment or permanent removal of historical markers.	Hill, Gregory(R)[A-]2025
HB1109 01:46:13.471 - 9:45:15 AM	Public Hearing	relative to notice and update requirements regarding state employee investigations.	Flanagan, Jack(R)[B]2025
Unclear 02:01:13.471 - 10:00:15 AM	Executive Session	dealing with pet vendors

HB1157: Representative Bixby Support00:01:44.002 - 8:00:46 AM; Introduced the bill requested by the department to close a loophole where multiple people at the same address could each transfer up to 29 animals to avoid registration as pet vendors, allowing inspection of the facility.
HB1157: Commissioner Sean Jasper, Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food Support00:05:00.000 - 8:04:02 AM; Explained that the loophole allows people not even living at the address to transfer animals without licensing, discovered when a non-compliant vendor exploited it; the bill enables inspections and addresses transfers exceeding limits.
HB1569: Representative Tolerisky Support00:11:10.068 - 8:10:12 AM; Pinch-hitting for prime sponsor Rep. Waldner, explained the Philbrook Center's history as children's mental health facility now used for transitional housing and offices; sale was added to HB2 without public input or valuation, would disrupt services and cost more to relocate; unanimous House Finance support.
HB1569: Representative Popovich-Muller Support00:18:00.000 - 8:17:02 AM; As House Finance member, noted bill passed 25-0 because $5 million revenue unlikely; complications in sale make it inappropriate to budget for unrealized funds.
HB1569: Representative Damon, Sullivan District 8 Support00:19:00.000 - 8:18:02 AM; Co-sponsor, supports retaining the property.
HB1569: Sam Haskins, NAMI New Hampshire Support00:20:00.000 - 8:19:02 AM; Philbrook's role in mental health system; prior closure led to bed shortages contributing to ED boarding; reopening as 16-bed transitional program aids Mission Zero; over half NH Hospital patients ready for discharge but lack community placement, costing $1600/day; program relocated but building valuable.
HB1631: Representative (unnamed) Support00:26:10.068 - 8:25:12 AM; Bill requires summarized data on civil forfeitures for accountability without privacy issues, reduced from prior version; addresses concerns from last year; better than 91A requests which are resource-intensive; ensures program monitored for correct use in law enforcement.
HB1805: Representative Colby, Hopkinton and Bow Support00:31:13.471 - 8:30:15 AM; Bipartisan bill improves officer retention by allowing agencies to develop local fitness plans instead of rigid Cooper Institute tests; addresses 14% statewide decline in officers, vicious cycle of shortages, overtime, burnout; promotes wellness programs over punitive exams.
HB1805: Representative Margaret Dry, Sullivan District 7 Support00:35:00.000 - 8:34:02 AM; Shared experience in small town with staffing shortages; out-of-state chief failed mile run despite passing other tests; real duties involve practical physical tasks, not timed runs; bill allows tailoring standards, notes competition with Vermont lacking tests.
HB1805: Representative Damon, Sullivan District 8 Support00:38:00.000 - 8:37:02 AM; Represents rural areas where fitness needs differ; values experience over strict standards as bodies age; local departments and select boards support change to retain knowledgeable officers.
HB1805: John Skipper, Director, NH Police Standards and Training Support00:40:00.000 - 8:39:02 AM; Council's position matches amended bill after deliberations; addresses past legislative attempts; gives agencies flexibility while maintaining standards; Cooper tests cautioned against for job fitness.
HB1805: John Skipper, Director, NH Police Standards and Training Support00:46:13.471 - 8:45:15 AM; Director Skipper continues testimony emphasizing the need for flexibility in wellness programs for police officers, noting that New Hampshire is the only state requiring ongoing physical fitness testing for incumbents. He discusses nationwide discussions on the topic, comparisons to firefighter standards where testing is only once in a career, and the council's deliberation to allow local agencies to set standards and develop wellness policies. He addresses questions on retroactivity, explaining the bill applies to hires after January 1, 2027, to avoid disrupting existing agreements, and highlights incentives in collective bargaining for fitness.
HB1805: Senator Gannon Oppose00:46:13.471 - 8:45:15 AM; Senator Gannon shares personal anecdotes about police officers in Medford, MA, highlighting their fitness needs despite early retirement age. He expresses concern over removing hard physical standards like the 1.5-mile run time (19:43 for his age group), arguing it could endanger officers and the public if standards become too lax. He stresses the importance of minimum empirical standards for safety and performance.
HB1805: Senator McHugh Information Only00:50:00.000 - 8:49:02 AM; Senator McHugh questions Director Skipper on physical aptitude tests (PAT) in fire services, impacts in other states from relaxing requirements, costs, and long-term effects on fitness levels and officer safety. Skipper responds by comparing to firefighters' one-time test and self-maintenance, noting no other state mandates ongoing testing like NH, and advocating for local wellness programs.
HB1805: Senator Osler Information Only00:55:00.000 - 8:54:02 AM; Senator Osler questions the bill's language on page 2, seeking clarification on applicability to officers hired before January 1, 2027. Skipper explains no retroactive application to avoid issues with existing contracts, meaning current officers would no longer have mandatory fitness testing if passed, shifting to agency policies.
HB1805: Ken Miller, Chief of Police, Town of Bow Support01:16:13.471 - 9:15:15 AM; Chief Miller supports the bill as a modernization of personnel wellness management, shifting authority to local levels for comprehensive year-round programs. He notes existing incentives in Bow like workout time during shifts and partnerships for jiu-jitsu. He argues the three-year PT test is unnecessary stress, not supported by Cooper standards for this use, and cites personal injury from the test. He advocates for agency-specific tests (e.g., 500m row, pushups) and annual medical sign-offs to promote overall wellness including mental health and nutrition, noting NH's unique mandate deters recruits.
HB1805: Chief Crowley Oppose01:25:00.000 - 9:24:02 AM; Chief Crowley opposes eliminating the three-year fitness test, viewing NH as a leader in standards with a 99.9% pass rate and minimal certification losses. He argues the test, based on Cooper Institute's 35th percentile, ensures minimum fitness, and removal would lead to increased overweight officers, injuries, use of force issues, and disabilities. He recommends updating the test via the council with waivers for valuable officers rather than inexpedient to legislate.
HB1097: Representative Greg Hill Information Only01:31:13.471 - 9:30:15 AM; Sponsor Rep. Hill explains HB 1097's background from a constituent's right-to-know request about missing Andrew Jackson historical road sign in Concord, revealing modifications/removals due to political correctness. The bill passed unanimously last term but was vetoed by Gov. Sununu; now reintroduced with amendment assigning oversight to the joint historical committee after committee of conference issues on funding. He provides agency priority lists for signs.
HB1097: Senator McEwen Information Only01:35:00.000 - 9:34:02 AM; Senator McEwen questions who wrote the notes in the high priority list, answered as the agency.
HB1109: Representative Flanagan Information Only01:46:13.471 - 9:45:15 AM; Sponsor Rep. Flanagan details HB 1109's origin from the Gino Marconi case, where he was suspended for nearly two years without charges known, costing the state salary. The bill requires timely written notice of suspension reasons within seven days and 90-day updates. It passed House on consent last year but died in Senate due to amendment; reintroduced with additions for municipal employees and CBA compatibility to ensure transparency and save costs.
HB1109: Tyler, Professional Firefighters of New Hampshire Support01:50:00.000 - 9:49:02 AM; Tyler represents 2,000 firefighters supporting HB 1109 for transparency and fairness, requiring written notice of suspension reasons within seven days and 90-day updates. He cites instances of members left uninformed, causing stress and morale issues. The bill balances investigations with due process without hindering them.
HB1109: Cassie Abbott, Department of Labor Legislative Liaison Information Only01:55:00.000 - 9:54:02 AM; Abbott states the Department of Labor is neutral on HB 1109, understanding it as a record-keeping requirement under RSA 275 for suspensions with notice within seven days and 90-day updates. They would enforce compliance without reviewing merits; notes a technical point on the bill.
Unclear: Committee Chair Vote02:01:13.471 - 10:00:15 AM; The committee closed the public hearing on House Bill 1109 with no further testimony. The chair then introduced discussion on the first bill of the day, a simple bill brought forth by the Department of Agriculture dealing with pet vendors, represented by Representative Bixby. The Commissioner and Representative Bixby were noted as being in support. A motion was made to enter executive session, seconded by Senator Altschul and Senator Riordan. The committee voted on consent to recommend the bill, with all in favor and no opposition. The chair indicated this bill would be removed from the list. The rest of the bills were held until next week due to Senator McHugh's absence and his intended input on some. The chair scheduled six or seven bills for next Wednesday, noting it would be the last day before crossover and anticipating they may not be contentious. A motion was made to exit executive session, with all in favor, and the meeting adjourned.

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