Committee Summary for Senate Executive Departments and Administration (04/16/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB331 00:04:22.160 - 8:02:09 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the secretary of state's procedures for enrolled bills.	Weber, Lucy(D)[F]2025
HB445 00:29:54.039 - 8:27:41 AM	Public Hearing	establishing a study commission to examine the causes of and ways to alleviate the shortage of law enforcement officers in New Hampshire.	Roy, Terry(R)[B]2025
HB598 00:40:33.440 - 8:38:20 AM	Public Hearing	establishing a committee to study data sources of all entities operated by all branches of government that are or are potentially made available to the public, identify the data formats of those sources, and recommend legislation to standardize types and formats of data output from all or select governmental entities.	Corcoran, Travis(R)[A-]2025
HB634 00:45:17.599 - 8:43:04 AM	Public Hearing	(Second New Title) relative to the New Hampshire council on autism spectrum disorders.	Stringham, Jerry(D)[D-]2025
HB428 01:18:14.000 - 9:16:01 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to the state building code.	Alexander, Joe(R)[A+]2025
HB469 01:35:07.719 - 9:32:54 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to the operation of the public deposit investment pool and the membership of its committee.	Maggiore, Jim(D)[CT]2025
HB469 1494 02:05:27.840 - 10:03:14 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) relative to the operation of the public deposit investment pool and the membership of its committee.	Maggiore, Jim(D)[CT]2025
HB445 02:00:43.040 - 9:58:30 AM	Executive Session	establishing a study commission to examine the causes of and ways to alleviate the shortage of law enforcement officers in New Hampshire.	Roy, Terry(R)[B]2025
HB634 02:18:17.799 - 10:16:04 AM	Executive Session	(Second New Title) relative to the New Hampshire council on autism spectrum disorders.	Stringham, Jerry(D)[D-]2025
HB331 02:19:30.959 - 10:17:17 AM	Executive Session	relative to the secretary of state's procedures for enrolled bills.	Weber, Lucy(D)[F]2025

HB331: Lucy Weber, representing Cheshire 5 (Walpole and Surry) Support00:04:22.160 - 8:02:09 AM; Representative Lucy Weber introduced House Bill 331, which aims to improve transparency regarding the location of enrolled bills between the time they are acted upon by the second chamber and before they reach the governor's desk. She emphasized that the bill does not change existing procedures or timelines but seeks to make the location of the bill publicly accessible online. Weber discussed her attempts to include this information in the House and Senate docketing systems, which were deemed inappropriate because the bills are not in the possession of either clerk during this period. She proposed a solution where the Secretary of State's office could post this information on a freestanding website linked to their page, minimizing cost and difficulty for the office. Weber shared a personal anecdote about a bill she tracked that nearly missed a deadline due to its location being unclear, underscoring the need for such transparency.
HB331: Senator Alchilla Information Only00:08:43.440 - 8:06:30 AM; Senator Alchilla inquired about the possibility of adding a line to the general court website's docket after final action by either body, indicating that the bill has been sent to the governor's office. Representative Weber responded that she would be in favor of such a solution but was informed by the House clerk that it couldn't be done. She suggested that the clerks from either the House or Senate might be better suited to answer why this isn't feasible.
HB331: Senator Re Information Only00:10:43.440 - 8:08:30 AM; Senator Re asked for clarification on whether the website would track the bill's exact location throughout the enrolled bill process or just indicate that it is in the enrolled bill stage. Representative Weber explained that her vision is for the public to know the exact location of the bill, using an example from her past experience where a bill's location was unclear, nearly causing it to miss a critical deadline. She emphasized the importance of knowing the bill's location to ensure timely legislative action.
HB331: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:13:09.760 - 8:10:56 AM; The speaker discusses the importance of knowing the exact status of bills in the legislative process, noting that it helps both those who want to push for advancement and those who prefer a slower pace to make their cases. They also inquire about who updates the online docket, suggesting it is managed by both the Senate and House clerks' offices, as updates appear immediately after House roll call votes.
HB331: Senator McGib Information Only00:14:27.120 - 8:12:14 AM; Senator McGib thanks Representative Weber for bringing the bill and acknowledges the mysterious nature of the process. They ask about the appropriate forum for parties to make their case for advancing or slowing down a bill, to which the response suggests contacting the House Speaker or Senate President, depending on the bill's location.
HB331: Aaron Hennessy, Deputy Secretary of State Information Only00:15:57.839 - 8:13:44 AM; Aaron Hennessy explains the process after a bill goes through the enrolling bills process, noting it involves multiple steps including review by the enrolled bills committee, the speaker of the house, the senate president, and ultimately the governor. He mentions the lack of an automated tracking system and suggests that developing an online tracking mechanism would require further clarification and likely have a fiscal impact. He offers to answer any questions from the committee.
HB331: Senator Alch Information Only00:17:36.640 - 8:15:23 AM; Senator Alch questions whether there are any statutory restrictions preventing the docket from showing a bill's status once it is in the enrolled bills process or at the Secretary of State's office. Hennessy responds that there are no such restrictions but their office does not have access to the online docket system, which is managed by the Office of Legislative Services (OS), the Senate clerk's office, and the House clerk's office.
HB331: Paul Smith, House Clerk's Office Support00:19:47.679 - 8:17:34 AM; Paul Smith apologizes for being late and provides context on the legislation, highlighting the need for transparency in the legislative process. He explains that after bills are passed, they go through a lengthy enrolling process and then enter a 'black hole' at the Secretary of State's office, where tracking becomes manual. He suggests that posting the Secretary of State's tracking spreadsheet online could improve transparency, noting that the House has unanimously supported this bill in past sessions. He emphasizes the public's interest in knowing the status of bills and believes this would not burden the presiding officers.
HB331: Paul Smith, House Clerk's Office Information Only00:19:47.679 - 8:17:34 AM; Paul Smith clarified the process of bill tracking and signing ceremonies. He explained that his office does not have control over the actions of the Governor or the Secretary of State regarding the transmission and signing of bills. He noted that once a bill is signed into law, the Secretary of State provides a spreadsheet detailing the signing date and effective dates, which he then inputs into the docket system for House bills. He emphasized that he does not have information about when bills are sent to the Governor or returned, highlighting a gap in the tracking system.
HB445: Representative Terry Roy, Rockingham District 32 Support00:29:54.039 - 8:27:41 AM; Representative Terry Roy introduced House Bill 445, emphasizing the ongoing challenges in law enforcement recruitment and retention in New Hampshire. He proposed the formation of a commission to explore innovative solutions, including a 'class to cruiser' program in partnership with universities like UNH, where recruits could have their tuition waived in exchange for service. He also mentioned the need to review the state's retirement system for law enforcement, suggesting it as a long-term solution to retain officers.
HB445: Michael McLoff, Lawyer Lobbyist, Concord Support00:33:01.039 - 8:30:48 AM; Michael McLoff supported the amendment to House Bill 445, which would include representatives from the Department of Corrections and Teamsters Local 633 on the proposed commission. He highlighted the expertise of Teamsters Local 633, which represents over 32 law enforcement bargaining units, and emphasized the importance of including corrections officers in the conversation due to their daily work in law enforcement.
HB445: Elizabeth Sergeant, Champini Capital Group, representing New Hampshire Sheriff's Association Support00:34:50.879 - 8:32:37 AM; Elizabeth Sergeant advocated for the inclusion of a representative from the New Hampshire Sheriff's Association on the commission proposed by House Bill 445, emphasizing the need for their expertise in the discussions.
HB445: John Skippa, Director of New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Support00:35:30.000 - 8:33:17 AM; John Skippa expressed support for House Bill 445 after discussing it with one of the sponsors, Representative Roy. He had no major concerns but emphasized the importance of the bill in addressing recruitment and retention issues in law enforcement.
HB445: John Skippa, Director of New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Support00:35:44.160 - 8:33:31 AM; John Skippa expressed support for the bill, emphasizing that it would not undermine the current certification, training, and regulatory oversight of his agency. He agreed with Representative Roy's concerns about recruitment and retention in law enforcement, highlighting that retention is a significant issue. Skippa believes the bill will help form a group to discuss and enhance retention strategies for New Hampshire police officers, and he is open to questions and the proposed amendment to add more members to the commission.
HB445: Kurt Arenberg, Humane World for Animals Information Only00:37:48.480 - 8:35:35 AM; Kurt Arenberg requested that a representative from the Animal Control Officers Association of New Hampshire be added to the commission, emphasizing the importance of their inclusion.
HB445: Representative Roy Information Only00:38:52.320 - 8:36:39 AM; Representative Roy expressed no specific objection to the additional members proposed for the commission but cautioned about the potential unwieldiness of large commissions, suggesting the committee consider the size and scope to ensure focus on the mission.
HB445: Senator Information Only00:39:47.839 - 8:37:34 AM; The Senator inquired about the inclusion of a military affiliate group on the commission, given the bill's aim to create partnerships with the Department of Defense for transitioning service members into law enforcement. Representative Roy suggested including someone from the Adjutant General's office due to their existing work in this area.
HB598: Carol Maguire, Marramac District 27 Support00:40:33.440 - 8:38:20 AM; Carol Maguire introduced House Bill 598, which was amended in her committee. The bill aims to create a committee of legislators to review and improve the efficiency, consistency, and availability of data collected by state agencies. She highlighted the expertise of the committee members in data analysis and computer science, and the potential benefits of improved data management, such as addressing issues like prescription drug affordability and bail reform. Maguire also addressed concerns about the committee's ability to function during the upcoming LOB closure, suggesting that the committee could work online or use other available spaces.
HB634: Representative Stringham Support00:45:17.599 - 8:43:04 AM; Representative Stringham introduced House Bill 634, aimed at reinvigorating the New Hampshire Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders. The bill seeks to redefine the council's purpose, allow remote participation, expand membership, and improve the nominating process to avoid vacancies. Since the bill's introduction, the council has managed to meet quorum and hold a meeting. An amendment was proposed to repeal the council, but Stringham argued against this, suggesting the original bill's provisions would better serve the autism community. He offered to work on an amendment to revert the bill to its original form.
HB634: Amy Ray, Derry, New Hampshire Support00:49:36.480 - 8:47:23 AM; Amy Ray, a mother of a son with autism and a board-certified behavior analyst, supported the original version of House Bill 634. She shared personal experiences and statistics on the rising rates of autism, emphasizing the need for the council to provide resources and support. Ray highlighted the council's role in leadership, training, policy, data collection, and coordination of services for individuals with autism. She expressed her desire to join the council and contribute to its goals, underscoring the importance of the council's work for the autism community.
HB634: Dr. Louis Esposito, Executive Director of AEL New Hampshire, Brooklyn, New Hampshire Oppose00:58:13.599 - 8:56:00 AM; Dr. Louis Esposito, a former special education teacher and father of a son with autism, opposed the amended version of House Bill 634. He supported the original bill, which aimed to strengthen and modernize the New Hampshire Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Esposito argued that the proposed merger with the developmental services quality council would overlook a significant segment of the autism population. He shared his son's experience and the importance of the council in providing a platform for autistic voices. Esposito urged the committee to revert to the original bill to expand the council's capacity to address the needs of the autism community.
HB634: Isidora Rodriguez Legendre, Executive Director at the New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities, Brooklyn, New Hampshire Oppose01:04:11.680 - 9:01:58 AM; Isidora Rodriguez Legendre expressed opposition to the amendment to HB634. She emphasized the importance of maintaining both the Autism Spectrum Disorder Council and the New Hampshire Developmental Services Quality Council. She has been a member of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Council since shortly after starting her position at the DD Council in 2017. She highlighted that the original bill could help solve quorum issues by adding more family members and entities interested in participating, which would increase the likelihood of achieving a quorum, particularly with the option of remote participation for those with disabilities. She also shared a personal story of a council member who, despite having an autism diagnosis since age 12, did not receive developmental services until age 48, underscoring the need for an autism-specific council.
HB634: Senator Al Information Only01:07:28.400 - 9:05:15 AM; Senator Al discussed the logistics of the council's membership, noting that the council would require 25 members and at least one-third to be physically present in the room to meet the quorum, with additional remote participation for those with disabilities. He questioned the rationale behind the one-third in-person requirement, given the challenges faced by individuals with autism and their families in participating in such meetings, suggesting that more flexibility might be necessary for this specific group.
HB634: Isidora Rodriguez Legendre, Executive Director at the New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities, Brooklyn, New Hampshire Information Only01:08:15.119 - 9:06:02 AM; In response to Senator Al, Isidora Rodriguez Legendre explained that the council is subject to 91A requirements, which make changes to quorum rules challenging without specific legislative language. She noted that while some individuals with disabilities attend meetings remotely, others make the effort to attend in person. She also pointed out that the effectiveness of volunteer councils can vary based on leadership and administrative support, which can impact meeting attendance and quorum issues.
HB634: Marissa Berg, Interim Chair of the New Hampshire Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders, Gtown, New Hampshire Oppose01:11:51.239 - 9:09:38 AM; Marissa Berg opposed amendment 0344H to HB634, though it was clarified that the amendment was not under consideration. She emphasized the importance of the Autism Council to families and individuals with autism, noting that over 50% of current applicants to developmental services have an autism diagnosis. She discussed the role of the Autism Council in collecting data, sharing information, and educating the public. Berg mentioned recent efforts to restart the council, including listening sessions and monthly meetings, and stressed the need for the council to continue to give a voice to those affected by autism.
HB634: Marissa Berg, Interim Chair of the New Hampshire Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders, Gtown, New Hampshire Information Only01:11:51.239 - 9:09:38 AM; Marissa Berg continued her testimony, emphasizing the importance of the New Hampshire Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders and its role in serving individuals regardless of Medicaid eligibility. She mentioned that she would submit her written testimony via email for reference. In response to a question from Senator Aler, she clarified a statistic from her testimony, stating that over 50% of applicants to developmental services have an autism diagnosis, while less than 50% have other diagnoses that qualify them for developmental disability services.
HB428: Carol Magguire, Representative, Marramac 27 Support01:18:14.000 - 9:16:01 AM; Representative Carol Magguire introduced House Bill 428, explaining that it aims to maintain a uniform state building code across New Hampshire. She noted that municipalities have been making amendments that disrupt business operations between towns. The bill was amended to allow administrative amendments by municipalities, such as permit issuance and fee schedules, but not technical amendments to the code itself. She mentioned that the Building Code Review Board supports these changes and that the bill would move related sections into RSA 155A.
HB428: Philip Sherman, Chair of the Building Code Review Board Support01:20:44.800 - 9:18:31 AM; Philip Sherman supported the bill, elaborating on the amendments made by the House. He explained that the amendments allow municipalities to handle administrative aspects like permits and fees while keeping the technical aspects of the building code uniform. He mentioned the slow pace of the current ordinance confirmation process and the need for a future effective date to allow municipalities time to adjust. He offered to walk the committee through the bill and answer questions.
HB428: Matt Mayberry, CEO of New Hampshire Homebuilders Association Support01:24:59.040 - 9:22:46 AM; Matt Mayberry expressed support for the bill, emphasizing the importance of a uniform state building code. He discussed the differences and similarities between HB428 and SB94, noting that HB428 deals with administrative codes while SB94 covers fire codes. He highlighted the need for a single state code to ease business operations and questioned the proposed effective date of January 2027, suggesting it be reconsidered to not burden municipalities.
HB428: Carol Magguire, Representative, Marramac 27 Support01:30:59.480 - 9:28:46 AM; Representative Magguire returned to clarify that when the state building code was updated from 2018 to 2021, all previous municipal amendments became invalid. She explained that the state adopts codes that are not cutting-edge to avoid errors and plans to review codes every three years. She also clarified that while individuals can build to stricter codes, municipalities cannot require everyone to do so but can choose stricter codes for their own projects.
HB428: Philip Sherman, Chair of the Building Code Review Board Support01:34:30.320 - 9:32:17 AM; Philip Sherman reiterated support for the bill and agreed with Representative Magguire's points. He added that the proposed 2027 effective date was to allow municipalities time to update their ordinances according to town meeting schedules. He suggested considering an earlier date, such as July 1, 2026, to allow for this adjustment.
HB469: Jim Majori, Representative from Rockingham 23, Northampton Support01:35:07.719 - 9:32:54 AM; Representative Majori supports House Bill 469, which aims to change the composition of the New Hampshire Public Deposit Investment Pool (PDIP) by adding a member from the New Hampshire Municipal Managers Association and removing one from the bankers association. He believes having a member from the managers association would be valuable due to their close involvement with town finances and fiduciary responsibilities.
HB469: Carol Magcguire, Mayor Act 27 Support01:38:37.119 - 9:36:24 AM; Mayor Magcguire supports the bill because it addresses the conflict of interest present with bankers on the PDIP advisory council, as banks are potential vendors to the pool. She highlights the importance of having municipal managers on the board due to their direct involvement with town finances and their ability to represent the interests of the municipalities investing in the pool.
HB469: Mike McLar, Lawyer Lobbyist for PFM Asset Management Information Only01:40:19.920 - 9:38:06 AM; Mike McLar, representing PFM Asset Management, provided information about the PDIP's purpose and operations. He emphasized that the pool was created to benefit smaller cities and towns by pooling funds for better investment returns, directly impacting property taxes. He discussed the recent transfer of oversight from the banking department to the state treasurer to mitigate conflicts of interest and supported the bill's aim to lessen this conflict by adjusting the board's composition.
HB469: Christy Merrill, President and CEO of the New Hampshire Bankers Association Oppose01:46:37.440 - 9:44:24 AM; Christy Merrill expressed concerns about the removal of a banker from the PDIP advisory council, emphasizing the importance of bankers' expertise in financial management and their role in ensuring funds are placed in New Hampshire banks as per recent legislation. She supports the addition of a municipal manager but opposes reducing banker representation, highlighting their contribution to the local economy and oversight of the pool.
HB469: John Steven, Executive Counsel for District 4 Information Only01:50:37.679 - 9:48:24 AM; John Steven spoke about the need for the executive council to review the PDIP's investment advisor contract, similar to other state contracts over $10,000. He supported an amendment to ensure this oversight, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in managing public funds. He did not comment on the merits of the bill itself but focused on the amendment concerning the contract review.
HB469: Todd Celig, Member of the Municipal Management Association of New Hampshire, Administrator for the town of Durham Support01:53:44.920 - 9:51:31 AM; Todd Celig supports HB469, highlighting the role of municipal managers in overseeing town finances and their suitability for inclusion on the PDIP advisory council. He discussed the recent change in oversight from the banking department to the state treasurer and believes adding a member from the Municipal Management Association would be a positive step in the pool's evolution.
HB469: Bill Grryer, Chairman of the Board and Founder of Primary Bank Support01:56:31.280 - 9:54:18 AM; Bill Grryer, representing Primary Bank, expressed support for the bill. He highlighted the importance of community banks in New Hampshire, noting that two banks have been recently acquired by out-of-state banks, potentially moving resources and deposits out of state. He emphasized the need for community banks to have access to deposits to facilitate loans for small businesses. Grryer also addressed the rate of return for shareholders of the PDIP, suggesting that banks would provide a fair return if funds were deposited in New Hampshire community banks. He clarified that the credit rating of PDIP would not be affected by the rate of return of the funds, as it is based on underlying securities.
HB469 1494: Committee Members Vote02:05:27.840 - 10:03:14 AM; The committee discussed and voted on HB469. An amendment, 1494, was proposed to ensure the contract goes through the oversight of the Governor and Executive Council due to its size. There was a suggestion to adjust the composition of the advisory committee by re-adding a banker and removing a finance officer, to maintain an odd number. Further adjustments were made to keep the municipal association on the board, resulting in a total of 10 members. The bill, as amended, was moved to pass and seconded, with no opposition.
HB445: Committee Members Vote02:00:43.040 - 9:58:30 AM; The committee discussed and voted on HB445. Amendments were proposed to include sheriffs, corrections, animal control, and the agitant general's office. The committee amendment was moved and seconded, with no opposition, and the bill was moved to pass as amended.
HB634: Committee Members Information Only02:18:17.799 - 10:16:04 AM; The committee discussed HB634 but did not execute it, as an amendment was to be worked on by Senator Re.
HB331: Committee Members Vote02:19:30.959 - 10:17:17 AM; The committee discussed HB331, expressing concerns about the bill's language and the feasibility of its implementation by the Secretary of State's office. The committee voted to pass the bill, but noted the need for clear paths and resources for successful implementation.

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