Committee Summary for Senate Finance (04/25/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
Unclear 00:04:17.680 - 12:03:08 PM	General Working Session	Unclear

Unclear: Major General David Mikolitis, New Hampshire National Guard Commissioner, Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services Information Only00:04:17.680 - 12:03:08 PM; Major General David Mikolitis introduced himself and his team, including the chief financial officer Judy Chen. He outlined the responsibilities of the Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services, which include managing the New Hampshire Army and Air National Guard and veteran services. He discussed the department's budget, noting that it met the governor's efficiency budget. The only difference between the governor's and the house's budget recommendations was a proposed increase in burial fees at the state veteran cemetery from $350 to $450 per burial.
Unclear: Senator Information Only00:06:20.319 - 12:05:11 PM; A senator mentioned meeting Major General Mikolitis's superior in Washington and praised Mikolitis's reputation. The senator also referenced a veterans bill about defunding based on acts of Congress.
Unclear: Kim McKay, Commandant of the New Hampshire Veterans Home; Jennifer Doing, CFO of the Veterans Home Information Only00:07:11.280 - 12:06:02 PM; Kim McKay and Jennifer Doing presented on the New Hampshire Veterans Home, established in 1889. They discussed the home's operations as an intermediate care long-term care facility, licensed for 250 but budgeted for 225 residents. They highlighted challenges with staff recruitment and retention, and the use of the VA grant program. They outlined strategic priorities including increasing veteran resident count, reducing staff vacancies, meeting VA survey requirements, and infrastructure improvements. They also mentioned a VA project to improve room arrangements without changing the bed count.
Unclear: Kim McKay, Commandant of the New Hampshire Veterans Home; Jennifer Doing, CFO of the Veterans Home Information Only00:09:27.600 - 12:08:18 PM; Kim McKay and Jennifer Doing continued their presentation, discussing the current census at the Veterans Home, which was at 140 veterans. They noted a goal to reach 225 residents and discussed the impact of the COVID-19 downturn on admissions. They also mentioned the revenue sources for the facility, which are dependent on resident census, and the varying rates based on veterans' disability ratings.
Unclear: Kim McKay, Commandant of the New Hampshire Veterans Home; Jennifer Doing, CFO of the Veterans Home Information Only00:13:02.639 - 12:11:53 PM; Kim McKay and Jennifer Doing discussed the house budget for the Veterans Home, which was supported by both the governor and the house. They outlined specific capital budget requests, including replacing air handlers, diesel tanks, veterans' tubs, beds, and medical lifts. They also mentioned a request to add back language in House Bill 2 to allow for budget flexibility, particularly in maintenance dollars.
Unclear: Senator Rosenol Information Only00:17:14.799 - 12:16:05 PM; Senator Rosenol asked about the process for approving extra revenues and whether it was typically handled by the fiscal committee or the governor and council. Kim McKay explained that the Veterans Home has a unique process due to fluctuating federal and room and board revenues, and they do not exceed their budget.
Unclear: Senator Rosenol Information Only00:19:48.799 - 12:18:39 PM; Senator Rosenol inquired about the percentage of staff receiving the flu vaccine and the impact of influenza on the Veterans Home population. Kim McKay noted that they do not mandate flu vaccines but ask staff to report, and they had a good winter with lower numbers of illness.
Unclear: Senator Information Only00:20:56.559 - 12:19:47 PM; A senator commented on a visit to the Veterans Home and the residents' complaints about the food. Kim McKay acknowledged the complaints and mentioned efforts to improve the food quality, including taste tests with residents.
Unclear: Senator Information Only00:22:05.679 - 12:20:56 PM; A senator suggested involving community college culinary students to cook for the Veterans Home residents, which Kim McKay thought was a great idea and agreed to explore.
Unclear: Senator Information Only00:23:21.360 - 12:22:12 PM; A senator disclosed being a Senate representative to the board of trustees of the university system and an employee of the university, stating that state support does not directly impact their position or income.
Unclear: Katherine Preventure, Chancellor of the University System; Mike Pilot, Chair of the Board of Trustees Information Only00:23:21.360 - 12:22:12 PM; Katherine Preventure and Mike Pilot presented on the university system's budget. They noted the house budget's proposed 30% reduction in state investment, which they described as unsustainable. They discussed the state's investment in offsetting student tuition and funding statutory programs. They highlighted the economic impact of the university system, including job creation and research enterprise growth.
Unclear: Senator Information Only00:29:59.200 - 12:28:50 PM; A senator asked about the impact of the proposed budget cut on statutory programs and tuition. Katherine Preventure explained that the university system would not be able to sustain such a cut without significant restructuring and tuition increases.
Unclear: Katherine Preventure, Chancellor of the University System; Mike Pilot, Chair of the Board of Trustees Information Only00:32:24.320 - 12:31:15 PM; Katherine Preventure and Mike Pilot continued their presentation, discussing the tuition offset funded by the state and the economic impact of the university system. They corrected a slide to reflect 26,000 students annually and discussed the research enterprise at UNH, which has grown significantly.
Unclear: Senator Information Only00:36:07.480 - 12:34:58 PM; A senator asked about the economic impact of university alumni and suggested further analysis. Katherine Preventure confirmed that the study already captured the impact of alumni on the state's economy.
Unclear: Katherine Preventure, Chancellor of the University System; Mike Pilot, Chair of the Board of Trustees Information Only00:38:07.280 - 12:36:58 PM; Katherine Preventure and Mike Pilot discussed workforce development and the alignment of university programs with state needs. They presented data on the top occupations for graduates and the number of graduates entering the New Hampshire workforce, emphasizing the importance of retaining New Hampshire students.
Unclear: Katherine Preventure, Chancellor of the University System; Mike Pilot, Chair of the Board of Trustees Information Only00:42:24.280 - 12:41:15 PM; Katherine Preventure and Mike Pilot concluded their presentation by discussing the impact of state investment on reducing the net cost of tuition for New Hampshire students, despite inflation.
Unclear: Mike Pilot, Chair of the Board of Trustees Information Only00:43:10.720 - 12:42:01 PM; Mike Pilot discussed the financial challenges facing the University System of New Hampshire (USNH). He highlighted that since 2013, New Hampshire student enrollment increased by almost 3%, attributing this to state investments. He mentioned the impact of unique scholarships on enrollment and noted that the system has been managing a structural deficit due to declining enrollment. He discussed the demographics and enrollment trends, projecting a 12% decline by 2030, and emphasized the necessity for strategic cost management to maintain affordability and quality of education. Pilot also mentioned efforts to manage costs, including reducing staff and investing in early retirement programs, and the potential impact of state funding cuts on the system's bond rating.
Unclear: Katherine Preventure, Chancellor of the University System Information Only00:44:28.560 - 12:43:19 PM; Katherine Preventure discussed the financial management of the University System, emphasizing the containment of costs despite inflationary pressures. She outlined measures taken to reduce expenses, such as reducing faculty and staff numbers, decreasing contributions to retirement systems, and increasing health plan premiums. Preventure highlighted the demographic challenges and projected enrollment declines, emphasizing the importance of maintaining state funding to avoid tuition increases that could price out students. She also mentioned the university's efforts to adapt to changing higher education dynamics and the importance of partnerships with the state.
Unclear: Mike Pilot, Chair of the Board of Trustees Information Only00:59:19.200 - 12:58:10 PM; Mike Pilot continued the discussion on the financial projections and challenges for the USNH. He detailed the modeling assumptions for future financial performance, projecting a decline in enrollment and an increase in the discount rate for financial aid. He mentioned the necessity of increasing tuition and room and board to manage expenses, and the projected operating deficit by 2030 if state contributions remain at the governor's recommended level. Pilot emphasized the need for structural changes to address the deficit, including program rationalization and administrative efficiencies, facilitated by a new ERP system.
Unclear: Katherine Preventure, Chancellor of the University System Information Only01:06:51.119 - 1:05:42 PM; Katherine Preventure concluded the discussion by emphasizing the importance of restoring funding to the governor's recommended level to maintain the New Hampshire advantage. She stressed the need for ongoing dialogue with elected officials to develop a workforce strategy aligned with educational goals, given the state's demographic challenges. She also highlighted investments in projects like the Spalding Life Sciences building at UNH and the Hyde Hall project at Plymouth State University, underscoring their role in workforce development.
Unclear: Mike Pilot, Chair of the Board of Trustees Information Only01:09:22.080 - 1:08:13 PM; Mike Pilot shared his personal experiences and transformation in perspective regarding the University System since joining the board in 2019. He praised the leadership and faculty for their commitment to student success and the mission of driving workforce development in New Hampshire. He emphasized the importance of maintaining state support to continue on the positive trajectory and highlighted the unique student-centric focus of the faculty as a competitive advantage.
Unclear: Katherine Preventure, Chancellor of the University System Information Only01:13:57.719 - 1:12:48 PM; Katherine Preventure responded to a question about the potential impact of a $57 million cut in state funding on tuition increases. She stated that such a cut would be unsustainable and could lead to significant tuition increases that would price the university out of the market, further eroding enrollment and exacerbating the operating deficit.
Unclear: Mark Rubenstein, Chancellor for the Community College System Information Only01:16:28.640 - 1:15:19 PM; Mark Rubenstein provided an overview of the Community College System of New Hampshire, highlighting its role in serving 24,000 students annually through various programs aligned with the state's workforce needs. He discussed the system's mission to build bridges for students into the workforce and its alignment with state economic strategies. Rubenstein outlined the programs offered, including those in healthcare, early childhood education, and the trades, and emphasized the importance of state funding for dual and concurrent enrollment, workforce credentials, and tuition freezes.
Unclear: Shannon Reed, Director of Government Affairs and Communications Information Only01:17:20.400 - 1:16:11 PM; Shannon Reed supported Mark Rubenstein's presentation by providing additional context and details on the community college system's programs and their impact on New Hampshire's workforce development. She mentioned the system's efforts to recruit students into critical areas like the trades and the importance of maintaining state funding for various programs.
Unclear: Shannon Reed, Director of Government Affairs and Communications Information Only01:17:20.400 - 1:16:11 PM; Shannon Reed, Director of Government Affairs and Communications, was finishing her testimony at 01:17:20.400, discussing general budget topics.
Unclear: Unknown Speaker from Community College System Information Only01:29:30.360 - 1:28:21 PM; The speaker discussed the Community College System's involvement with child care centers at NHTI campus and Boys and Girls Club of Central New Hampshire in Berlin. They highlighted the importance of child care as a community resource and its alignment with the mission of serving working adult students who are parents. The speaker also mentioned the creation of a recognized registered apprenticeship for nursing center directors and the potential to grow these programs. They emphasized the changing landscape of postsecondary education and the need to adapt to serve diverse student needs.
Unclear: Unknown Speaker from Community College System Information Only01:30:33.840 - 1:29:24 PM; Continuing from the previous speaker, the focus was on the potential and foundation built in the last two years to address child care workforce needs. The speaker highlighted a testimonial illustrating the mission of serving location-bound students and creating opportunities in their regions.
Unclear: Unknown Speaker from Community College System Information Only01:32:44.440 - 1:31:35 PM; The speaker discussed the financial aspects of the Community College System, mentioning the unique funding share of about $3 million a year, with allocations for financial aid and endowment funds. They also talked about the New Hampshire employee retirement system participation for 80% of their workforce.
Unclear: Senator Pearl Information Only01:33:45.520 - 1:32:36 PM; Senator Pearl asked about the percentage of students in the nursing program who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. The response indicated that about one in five nursing students fall into this category, and the majority are adults returning to education for a career in health care.
Unclear: Unknown Speaker from Community College System Information Only01:34:44.080 - 1:33:35 PM; The speaker addressed the issue of the TEAS test for nursing program admissions, discussing the challenges for students who have been out of high school for a while and the ongoing conversations about alternative assessment methods. They emphasized the importance of ensuring student success due to the high demand for nursing seats and the state's need for a healthcare workforce.
Unclear: Unknown Speaker from Community College System Information Only01:35:42.120 - 1:34:33 PM; The speaker continued to discuss the importance of assessing student readiness for nursing programs, mentioning the critical role of every nursing seat in the state's healthcare workforce. They also shared the numbers of nurses prepared in their RN and LPN programs.
Unclear: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:36:41.520 - 1:35:32 PM; The speaker suggested considering life skills credits as an alternative assessment method for student readiness, appreciating the efforts to adapt educational opportunities for diverse student needs.
Unclear: Senator Lang Information Only01:37:31.760 - 1:36:22 PM; Senator Lang praised the clarity and focus of the Community College System's mission statement, emphasizing its role in providing opportunities for students.
Unclear: Unknown Speaker from Community College System Information Only01:38:27.920 - 1:37:18 PM; The speaker discussed articulation agreements with the university system, mentioning the development of pathways under House Bill 1530 to navigate students to various university programs.
Unclear: Unknown Speaker from Community College System Information Only01:39:48.159 - 1:38:39 PM; The speaker addressed a budget cut from the House, discussing the impact on the tuition freeze and the need to invest in program quality. They mentioned the tuition freeze over the last six years and the minimal increase in tuition rates over the past dozen years.
Unclear: Unknown Speaker from Community College System Information Only01:40:48.119 - 1:39:39 PM; The speaker highlighted the reduction in early college funding and its significant return on investment, emphasizing the importance of these programs in avoiding student debt and providing pathways to postsecondary education.
Unclear: Unknown Speaker from Community College System Information Only01:41:53.520 - 1:40:44 PM; The speaker commended the dual and concurrent enrollment programs and the three-year degree program at the University of New Hampshire, aimed at making education more affordable and preparing the workforce.
Unclear: Dennis Goule, Commissioner for the Department of Information Technology Information Only01:42:58.000 - 1:41:49 PM; Dennis Goule, Commissioner for the Department of Information Technology, presented on the department's budget for FY2627. He discussed the centralized IT structure in New Hampshire, the shift from capital to subscription-based IT spending, persistent price increases, and the importance of cybersecurity and privacy. He also mentioned the impact of budget cuts on staffing and service delivery, and requested the removal of a $5 million cut proposed in House Bill 1A.
Unclear: Sarah Stewart, Commissioner of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Information Only02:02:32.320 - 2:01:23 PM; Sarah Stewart, Commissioner of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, discussed the department's budget, which includes divisions like Parks and Recreation, Forest and Lands, Historical Resources, the State Library, and the Arts Council. She highlighted the department's efforts to meet budget reduction goals and the impact of proposed cuts, particularly the potential elimination of the Arts Council. She emphasized the importance of general fund support for various programs and requested help to restore funding to a sustainable level.
Unclear: John Formela, Attorney General Information Only02:10:36.079 - 2:09:27 PM; John Formela, Attorney General, presented the Department of Justice's FY2627 budget. He outlined the roles of the Attorney General, including chief law enforcement officer, chief prosecutor, chief legal officer, and chief public protection officer. He discussed the department's workload, organizational structure, and the financial recoveries they achieve. He highlighted the impact of a $14.7 million general fund back of the budget cut from the House, which would affect grants for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Child Advocacy Centers, and VOCA grants. He emphasized the importance of these grants and requested the restoration of funding.
Unclear: John Formela, Attorney General Information Only02:10:36.079 - 2:09:27 PM; John Formela, Attorney General, continued his testimony by emphasizing the importance of victim services within the criminal justice system. He noted that while law enforcement and prosecution are often highlighted, the challenges faced by victims in navigating the system are frequently overlooked. He also addressed the potential impact of a $5 million annual budget cut, stating that while the department would try to minimize cuts to grants, a significant reduction in funding would likely affect these services due to the department's budget constraints.
Unclear: Senator Information Only02:29:49.840 - 2:28:40 PM; A senator raised concerns about the provisions in House Bill 2 regarding the opioid abatement funds. She questioned the reallocation of liquor funds from the governor's commission to opioid abatement funds, pointing out that this could halve funding for substance use treatment and restrict the use of opioid funds to only opioid-related programs. The Attorney General confirmed these concerns, noting that the settlements require a nexus to opioid abatement and that the changes could impact treatment for other substances.
Unclear: Attorney General Information Only02:31:09.640 - 2:30:00 PM; The Attorney General responded to the senator's concerns about House Bill 2, highlighting that the changes could cut the state's commitment to substance use disorder treatment in half and create issues with the restricted use of opioid abatement funds. He mentioned that the settlements require nearly all the funds to be used for opioid abatement projects, with a small percentage available for other costs like legal fees.
Unclear: Deputy Attorney General, Chair of the Opioid Abatement Commission Information Only02:33:53.439 - 2:32:44 PM; The Deputy Attorney General, who also serves as the chair of the Opioid Abatement Commission, expressed concerns about the House's changes to House Bill 2, particularly regarding the transfer of $3.5 million in opioid abatement funds to law enforcement efforts on the Canadian border. He noted that such enforcement work may not specifically target opioids, potentially violating the required nexus to opioid abatement.
Unclear: Deputy Attorney General Information Only02:35:08.319 - 2:33:59 PM; The Deputy Attorney General discussed a provision in the House budget that would void contracts with an effective date of May 1st or later. He mentioned that recent contracts approved by the governor's council for direct services to people suffering from opioid use disorder would be jeopardized by this provision, potentially canceling important work.
Unclear: Senator Lang Information Only02:36:15.600 - 2:35:06 PM; Senator Lang asked about the impact of funding cuts on child advocacy centers (CACs), specifically regarding mental health services for children. The Attorney General confirmed that the funds allowed CACs to provide immediate counseling to children, addressing the trauma of sexual assault.
Unclear: Senator Information Only02:37:19.120 - 2:36:10 PM; A senator raised concerns about the impact of funding cuts on the Youth Development Center (YDC) settlement fund, suggesting that without adequate funding, more cases would go to superior court, increasing the Department of Justice's litigation resources needs. The Attorney General clarified that the statute allows for additional funds to be requested between budgets and confirmed that more cases in superior court would indeed require more resources.
Unclear: Senator Rosenol Information Only02:40:51.560 - 2:39:42 PM; Senator Rosenol asked about settlements outside the YDC fund, specifically mentioning two recent cases. The Attorney General explained that only a small percentage of cases would warrant settlements above $2.5 million, and these would likely settle closer to trial dates, not all at once.
Unclear: Charlie McIntyre, Director of Hampshire Lottery Information Only02:44:19.200 - 2:43:10 PM; Charlie McIntyre, Director of the Hampshire Lottery, along with the chief financial officer Jim Durus, presented a handout showing gross and net revenues and expenses from 2015 to 2025. He noted that net revenues had nearly tripled while expenses had not doubled, which he described as better than good in the business world. McIntyre also announced that revenue guidance would be revised upwards for the current and next two fiscal years.

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