Committee Summary for Senate Ways and Means (03/19/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB275 00:04:28.720 - 8:32:24 AM	Executive Session	providing property tax relief for some child care agencies.	Watters, David(D)[D-]2025
HB163 00:13:22.360 - 8:41:18 AM	Public Hearing	relative to state funds.	Almy, Susan(D)[F]2025
HB591 00:23:42.000 - 8:51:38 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to hours for keno gaming.	Cole, Brian(R)[A-]2025
HB591 00:27:10.559 - 8:55:06 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) relative to hours for keno gaming.	Cole, Brian(R)[A-]2025

SB275: Senator Fenton Information Only00:04:28.720 - 8:32:24 AM; Senator Fenton led the committee in the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of the executive session.
SB275: Senator Roswell Information Only00:05:27.319 - 8:33:23 AM; Senator Roswell moved to go into executive session, which was seconded and passed.
SB275: Senator Roswell Information Only00:06:54.039 - 8:34:50 AM; Senator Roswell discussed an amendment to Senate Bill 275, which aims to restrict the property tax exemption to only non-profit child care agencies that are 501(c)(3) organizations, registered and in good standing with the state. The amendment does not address the part of the bill that removes the requirement for schools to carve out space used for preschool from building aid.
SB275: Senator Roswell Oppose00:07:46.240 - 8:35:42 AM; Senator Roswell expressed concerns about Section 3 of the bill, which extends building aid to include preschools. She argued that school building aid is a finite resource and expanding it to include preschool would dilute the process.
SB275: Senator Murphy Oppose00:09:51.519 - 8:37:47 AM; Senator Murphy agreed with the chairman's comments and stated that he could not support the bill.
SB275: Senator Murphy Information Only00:11:01.040 - 8:38:57 AM; Senator Murphy moved to recommend the bill as inexpedient to legislate (ITL), which was seconded by Senator Sullivan and passed.
SB275: Senator Murphy Information Only00:12:01.839 - 8:39:57 AM; Senator Murphy moved to come out of executive session, which was seconded by Senator Roswell and passed.
HB163: Representative Aly, Lebanon Support00:13:22.360 - 8:41:18 AM; Representative Aly, the prime sponsor of House Bill 163, explained that the bill updates the structure of the dedicated funds list in RSA 6:12. She mentioned that the bill was a collaboration between the joint committee, herself, the state treasurer, and the state controller. The bill aims to clarify and organize the list, which had become confusing over time, and should suffice for the next 15 years.
HB163: Unidentified Speaker Support00:14:15.800 - 8:42:11 AM; The speaker supports the bill, stating it changes no funds but makes it easier to use and expand dedicated funds. They mention a fix for a broken link and clarification of differences between dedicated funds, trusts, and escrow accounts.
HB163: State Treasurer Monica Mapelli Support00:16:33.600 - 8:44:29 AM; State Treasurer Monica Mapelli supports the bill, explaining it as a cleanup effort for the list of dedicated accounts. She highlights the addition of previously omitted accounts, clarification of three types of accounts (dedicated funds, trusts, and custodial accounts), and the reclassification of existing accounts to align with legal and accounting standards. She also mentions future plans to maintain the list with the dedicated funds committee and the transition to a new financial system for better accounting of trust and custodial accounts.
HB163: Representative Aly, Lebanon Information Only00:22:45.760 - 8:50:41 AM; Representative Aly reminds the committee of dedicated funds not included in the list, such as Seabrook, and acknowledges the ongoing effort to update the list.
HB591: Representative Brian Cole, Manchester Support00:23:42.000 - 8:51:38 AM; Representative Brian Cole supports the bill, noting its simplicity and potential to generate revenue for the state. He mentions observing people playing Keno during weekends and sees it as a win for the state.
HB591: Charlie McIntyre, Lottery Director Support00:24:29.120 - 8:52:25 AM; Charlie McIntyre supports the bill but suggests a less prescriptive approach, allowing Keno to be operated during the hours the business is open. He discusses the potential for increased revenue, especially from night shift workers, and mentions the success of Keno in Massachusetts. He also provides data on Keno's profitability and its distribution across different types of establishments.
HB591: Committee Members Information Only00:27:10.559 - 8:55:06 AM; The committee discusses the bill and considers an amendment to allow Keno to be operated during the hours the business is open, rather than being prescriptive about specific times. They discuss the bill's passage in the House and the potential for incremental growth in different types of establishments. The committee agrees to draft an amendment reflecting these changes.

Lang, Timothy(Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Murphy, Keith(V Chairman)(R)[A]2025	Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[F]2025
Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2025	Sullivan, Victoria(R)[A-]2025