[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6619430,"mediaKeyId","2836166-6733428fd089abf93c6206094c62700a","parentId",2836166,"title","Large, divided hearing on bill to repeal mandatory vehicle inspections highlights safety, fiscal and legal concerns","audioSeconds",7626,"startMs",2183935,"endMs",9810255,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2836166-6733428fd089abf93c6206094c62700a&start=2183&end=9810","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2836166-6733428fd089abf93c6206094c62700a/thumbnail_2183935.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6619430/New-Hampshire/Large-divided-hearing-on-bill-to-repeal-mandatory-vehicle-inspections-highlights-safety-fiscal-and-legal-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619430-6adcc2a70a4344b43d3ba6822dd364c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448163&Signature=DFemMPE1D~-hQTa~95IpfBs9HjWZdPCHHPBRERuPJun9wxV8fIbAMj7fJ8UilryIlULiPHDdWwj0W0CpYvp9cQnW-mMxWNJxrdw8OFlvmq23ECtC4XkKcENWDS~CEzFtj5It1xQKo9EHCMdg7a0I9PZN9fGEfP1dgATTrAV6FA6IwlwgV4UQMADMzpIM7oQAszRzFmYkwR0mJBrY~e6vd2wVnMf4zwJwilLC~6bX58JCZqWM-WZp5hcusBQWhyF-vfqGF5EJwwRGvjM9V4Z7InpdNAieQbhRmsfnd5xX-3wTwEaDsJZgBlTLAH5HVeyGzjjrRWS1LmSMBXFR~kAkDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Hampshire Legislature","date","2025-04-01T16:39:21.58Z","article","The Senate Commerce Committee held a lengthy hearing on House Bill 649, a sponsor-driven measure to end mandatory vehicle inspections in New Hampshire. Representative Granger, the House sponsor, told the committee his measure is designed to “eliminate mandatory vehicle inspections” while leaving safety statutes intact; he said he would oppose study committees or incremental changes that, in his view, undercut the bill’s central purpose.

Supporters’ arguments: multiple witnesses, including several state representatives and business owners, urged repeal or significant revision. Representative Tom Mannion summarized cross‑state data he compiled and cited a 2015 Government Accountability Office estimate that component failure accounted for a small share of crashes; Rep. Sam Farrington and others pointed to academic and policy studies (cited in testimony) that they said showed limited or no causal safety benefit from inspections and argued the program imposes costs and may be exploited by some shops. Some supporters framed inspections as a recurring cost they called a “sticker scam.” Several witnesses said New Hampshire’s program is out of step with many other states and urged adoption of a different model or an outright repeal.

Opponents’ arguments and agency testimony: the hearing featured broad, detailed opposition from law enforcement, public-safety, environmental and industry stakeholders.

- Attorney General’s office: Brandon Garrod, senior assistant attorney general and chief of the Consumer Protection & Antitrust Bureau, said the bill would materially change consumer protections for used vehicle sales. Under current law, dealers selling vehicles they deem unsafe must provide a disclosure form and give buyers an option to obtain an inspection; Garrod said the draft shifts responsibility to customers to recognize unsafe vehicles, making it harder for the attorney general’s office to investigate and remedy misrepresentations in used-car sales.

- New Hampshire State Police: Major Matt Amatucci testified the bill would shift identification of unsafe vehicles onto law enforcement and require extensive new training for troopers and other officers. Amatucci said removing mandatory inspections would increase roadside breakdowns and calls for service and that troopers already face staffing shortfalls (56 vacancies reported in testimony). He warned the measure would leave “a dangerous gap in both oversight and enforcement.”

- Department of Environmental Services: Commissioner Bob Scott and staff warned that emissions control under the federal Clean Air Act constrains changes to state programs. Scott said any repeal or major change would require negotiation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and could trigger federal sanctions or citizen suits if the state does not follow the Clean Air Act’s revision and anti‑backsliding procedures. The department estimated a $262,000 reduction to the Motor Vehicle Emissions Abatement Fund and noted broader modeling and offset requirements would be needed.

- Department of Motor Vehicles and Department of Safety: DMV Director John Marasco and department staff provided program statistics, including that in 2024 the state recorded more than 1.2 million inspections and that 173,428 vehicles (about 13.6%) failed initial safety inspection and were prevented from reaching the road until repaired. The DMV said complaints about inspections are rare (23 complaints in calendar year 2024), and that the state police conduct audits of stations; when violations are found they can result in fines, suspensions or hearings.

Industry, small-business and frontline testimony: auto-repair shops, towing companies, fleet managers, and independent inspectors offered testimony illustrating operational impacts and safety concerns. Several repair-shop owners and inspectors described mechanical failures—from worn tires to failed ball joints—that are difficult to spot without a lift. Fleet operators testified they would continue internal inspection programs but warned about revenue impacts and operational disruption if the state program ends. Towing operators described roadside situations made more dangerous by structurally or mechanically unsafe vehicles.

Fiscal and regulatory consequences: witnesses presented different fiscal figures. Testimony cited a decline of roughly $3.5 million in total program revenue from repealing inspections, with approximately $2.9 million flowing from the highway fund in one estimate. The Department of Environmental Services cited a $262,000 impact to the Motor Vehicle Emissions Abatement Fund. Witnesses also warned that cancelling the current statewide contract for inspection administration could create contractual liabilities.

Evidence and studies: testimony referenced multiple empirical sources with competing conclusions. Some speakers cited a Carnegie Mellon study finding 5.5% fewer roadway fatalities in states with inspection programs; others cited difference‑in‑difference work and GAO summaries arguing component failure is a small portion of crash causes. Witnesses differed on how to interpret the studies and on the weight those analyses should carry in policy decisions.

Committee process and next steps: the committee heard many witnesses and indicated it would continue deliberations, including additional testimony and potential continuation of the hearing at a later date. No committee vote or final action on HB 649 was recorded in the hearing transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Commerce (04/01/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Commerce Committee held a lengthy hearing on House Bill 649, which would eliminate New Hampshire’s mandatory vehicle inspection program; the session drew wide testimony from law enforcement, environmental regulators, the attorney general’s office, dealers, repair shops, towing operators and advocates on both sides.","taxTitle","Commerce, Senate , Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",29504,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6619434,"Committee reviews bill allowing homestead food production outside residential kitchen with sanitation conditions",1429,598875,2028164,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2836166-6733428fd089abf93c6206094c62700a&start=598&end=2028","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2836166-6733428fd089abf93c6206094c62700a/thumbnail_598875.jpg","/articles/6619434/New-Hampshire/Committee-reviews-bill-allowing-homestead-food-production-outside-residential-kitchen-with-sanitation-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619434-5a45c337a7be28a15b9b7bc22bcc64ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448163&Signature=aTXnhCkFEnWXEXBrXbnCVjoKGpwVBCP7zfdV7FY6vdTqTAzgIS99eBUGm6Pz-GAd2UvK2X15ECA1FGpQ3c6Mf73CQjib034IGpMe5b0QBbpKPj6E2qywwFcAXhJ1AyVwxLvJBPjTCvRfqCHT4fzeZFZich-~2UA4uWhRCVDLdR1AqlJHkzW5gLeIol3DCJ~MGOBajYEsddrSOXHC3d3rNOygS-IfKL~L41nd8QSZKeQcQEuO6gW6Y93bXHR2Aw4mZQPp0D5s9DFpWcrKFS~fXAY886badIINRjHH~Wqzpdp8BpYGaH095c6fR62jwth18GnuTIIeFLHdjPviae~P8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Commerce Committee heard House Bill 307, sponsored in the House by Rep. Peter Bixby, which would allow homestead food operators to produce packaged retail food in a designated production area inside the primary residence that is not the kitchen, provided certain sanitary requirements are met.

Sponsor and scope: Rep. Peter Bixby (D‑Dover) said the bill is intended to help three types of producers: those expanding their work space before they are ready to move to a fully commercial facility, bakers and confectioners who need separate drying/cooling spaces for delicate products, and small producers with very small residential kitchens. The bill limits the alternative production area to part of the primary residence rather than detached outbuildings.

Sanitation standards and DHHS involvement: Bixby and the Department of Health and Human Services’ food protection staff described amendments that list minimum sanitary requirements for an alternative production area. Those items include a dedicated handwashing sink, cleanable food-contact surfaces and floors, appropriate food storage capacity, and the ability to exclude pets. Erica Davis, administrator of the DHHS Food Protection Section, said the department originally had concerns about moving production outside a kitchen but worked with sponsors to identify the sanitary elements that the amended bill now specifies. “We originally had some concerns … the sanitary requirements were outlined within the amended bill, and we were happy to look those over and work with the committee,” Davis said.

Licensing thresholds and tax treatment: DHHS staff and witnesses clarified how the homestead rules interact with broader food licensing. DHHS told the committee that when production moves outside a residential kitchen it typically changes a homestead operation’s regulatory category and may trigger commercial processing requirements under the rules (HEP 2300); licensed homestead operators are allowed certain retail and limited wholesale sales. Committee members asked whether homestead food producers are subject to the meals and rooms tax; a homestead baker testifying said packaged goods sold like grocery items are treated like packaged grocery sales and are not subject to meals and rooms tax.

Public testimony: a homestead producer described practical problems that can make kitchen-only production impractical—children wandering through a family kitchen while items dry, the need for separate cooling or drying space, and small apartment kitchens that constrain viable production. Representative Judy Aaron (House Environment & Agriculture Committee chair) told the Senate committee that the proposal emerged from a legislative study and was supported unanimously by her committee.

Next steps: The committee took testimony and did not record further action in the hearing record. Sponsors and DHHS indicated willingness to refine statutory language and rely on rules for operational details where appropriate.","House Bill 307 would let homestead food producers use an alternative production area within their primary residence (not an outbuilding) if it meets specified sanitation standards; the Department of Health and Human Services testified it is neutral and worked with sponsors on sanitary language.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6619439,"Senate Commerce committee hears bill to allow temporary 'assistant manager' role for solo professional LLCs",385,13795,399635,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2836166-6733428fd089abf93c6206094c62700a&start=13&end=399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2836166-6733428fd089abf93c6206094c62700a/thumbnail_13795.jpg","/articles/6619439/New-Hampshire/Senate-Commerce-committee-hears-bill-to-allow-temporary-assistant-manager-role-for-solo-professional-LLCs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619439-3c861a2f332e637e60058673cec935e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448163&Signature=a~W4CeNrNfyvALIlsAE5wOfjNoUPEwY0oFYwWAidfIVsdbKhIifZ0MjtqQwIDiA-f-AckT7mCTgldEMzYAdjxyqKCsfq09uIDDt1HsWCwd2AQlWuUN0bpFpaJZ-iN9i6rGZsffSHWKn8LYhrvjIJ0JWh02DHbKZSVfSd6KjmNwXMPJOlgMB-wOiott8QVU5a7UDlaaGExhUw3orvFE6lFAqaO4bopR4M9c18snnRZAdqqoZhd29IqiDAe3fTYmC87IhYWjK5Vl-hgbWqoPN7qgMTPufArpDk8Rzo0i8GEt2OhXWN4-kaTpvh3688bKbYrf0FqFV3rQwQIEaL9zCfUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Senate Commerce Committee hearing, Rep. Eric Turer, R-Brentwood, presented House Bill 98 to allow a narrowly defined ‘assistant manager’ role inside single-member professional limited liability companies (PLLCs).

The bill is aimed at solo professional practices—examples cited by Turer included long-running veterinarian practices—where the single licensed professional is also the corporate member. Under current law, if that person dies, becomes incapacitated or loses licensing status, the PLLC may have no eligible person to act in corporate capacities, leaving dissolution as the only readily available option. “This bill will look awful familiar,” Turer said, noting that a near-identical bill (House Bill 1082) reached the committee last year and was held for interim study before being refiled.

Why it matters: supporters say the change preserves the business value of small professional practices and gives families time to hire a new professional, sell the practice or convert the business structure without forcing an immediate dissolution. Turer told the committee the measure affects “section 304‑D,” the statute that governs professional limited liability companies, and applies only to solo‑member PLLCs.

What the bill would do: HB 98 would permit an assistant manager—defined in the draft as someone who normally has no right to exercise the qualifying professional’s powers—to operate the corporation for a limited period (one year) if the sole qualified professional becomes disqualified, incapacitated or dies. Turer emphasized the limitation: the assistant manager could act in a corporate capacity but could not provide professional services. That restriction was added in an amendment intended to prevent the assistant from practicing in place of the licensed professional.

Background and legislative history: Turer said the bill passed the House on a voice vote and that the state bar association reviewed the earlier draft and raised no remaining objections; the measure previously passed unanimously out of the House Judiciary Committee before being deferred last session for bar input.

Public comment and next steps: the committee heard no public testimony on HB 98 at the hearing and closed the matter for that day. No committee vote or formal action was recorded in the hearing transcript.

Ending note: proponents framed the proposal as a narrowly tailored, temporary corporate fix to let small professional firms transfer ownership or convert structure without immediate forced dissolution when the single licensed owner cannot serve.","A bill presented to the Senate Commerce Committee would let solo-member professional limited liability companies name an assistant manager to exercise corporate—but not professional—powers for up to one year if the sole licensed professional becomes incapacitated, dies or is otherwise disqualified.","actionData","errors"]

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Large, divided hearing on bill to repeal mandatory vehicle inspections highlights safety, fiscal and legal concerns

Committee reviews bill allowing homestead food production outside residential kitchen with sanitation conditions

Senate Commerce committee hears bill to allow temporary 'assistant manager' role for solo professional LLCs