Committee Summary for Senate Finance (03/24/2026)

Gray, James(Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Innis, Daniel(V Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Carson, Sharon(R)[B]2025
Watters, David(D)[D-]2025	Birdsell, Regina(R)[B-]2025	Lang, Timothy(R)[B-]2025
Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[F]2025	Pearl, Howard (R)[B]2025

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1042 00:03:53.331 - 12:32:34 PM	Public Hearing	raising the unified contingent credit limit.	Sweeney, Joe(R)[A]2025
HB365 00:18:53.331 - 12:47:34 PM	Executive Session	relative to proof of United States citizenship for indigent voters.	Lynn, Bob(R)[B]2025
HB707 -	Executive Session	(Second New Title) establishing a solid waste site evaluation committee.	Potenza, Kelley(R)[A]2025
HB1808 - 12:47:34 PM	Executive Session	establishing the position of academic research and improvement performance data analyst in the department of education and making an appropriation therefor.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2025
HB1434 - 12:47:34 PM	Executive Session	enabling municipalities to vote to allow the sale of Keno.	Turcotte, Len(R)[B]2025
HB1088 1212s - 12:47:34 PM	Executive Session	transferring funding for the water well board from the general fund to a special nonlapsing fund.	Donnelly, Tanya(R)[B+]2025

HB1042: James Key Wallace, executive director of the BFA Information Only00:03:53.331 - 12:32:34 PM; James Key Wallace provided an overview of House Bill 1042, which increases the limit on state guarantees backed by the Business Finance Authority (BFA) from $200 million to $400 million for business expansions, nonprofits, and communities. He noted that the BFA has operated for 35 years without any state payout on guarantees, uses no taxpayer funding, and requires board and Executive Council approval for each guarantee. He addressed questions on inflation impacting project costs, New Hampshire's success in recruiting larger companies like New Balance with a $70 million investment, the reasons for selecting $400 million over other amounts due to rising costs and more projects, and confirmed no increased risk as the program maintains low default rates and requires collateral similar to banks.
HB365: Senator Innes Support00:18:53.331 - 12:47:34 PM; Senator Innes explained that HB 365 complements earlier legislation on free voter identification by providing $50,000 for citizenship documentation to facilitate voter registration, emphasizing its importance for enabling people to vote.
HB1808: Senator Lang Support - 12:47:34 PM; Senator Lang supported HB 1808 for creating a data-focused position in the Department of Education to improve data usage in areas like CTE programs, noting the new commissioner's background would make it effective, but recommended tabling due to over $100,000 expenditure and considering funding at year-end or next budget.
HB1434: Senator Lang Support - 12:47:34 PM; Senator Lang explained that HB 1434, requested by communities in the Winnipesaukee River Basin Project in the Lakes Region, reduces the required capitalization fund amount because statutes allow direct assessments to specific towns like Gilford or Tilton for maintenance issues, such as pump repairs, diminishing the need for a larger fund.
HB1088 1212s: Senator Lang Support - 12:47:34 PM; Senator Lang moved ought to pass HB 1088 with amendment 1212s, which changes the effective date to reduce expenditures, noting it results in nearly net zero cost as funds are available in the general fund for the position.