[{"_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",6612493,"mediaKeyId","2891109-12c08092728c6543b5bf2565397205ac","parentId",2891109,"title","Bill would restore tourism marketing share in rooms-and-meals split; industry warns of cuts if not fixed","audioSeconds",696,"startMs",373000,"endMs",1069000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891109-12c08092728c6543b5bf2565397205ac&start=373&end=1069","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891109-12c08092728c6543b5bf2565397205ac/thumbnail_373000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612493/New-Hampshire/Bill-would-restore-tourism-marketing-share-in-rooms-and-meals-split-industry-warns-of-cuts-if-not-fixed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612493-bc24a76d96a86fbcc022e955d2b3ddb5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078914&Signature=F-ZFUo2LFM2hdjOPGtlupRcsilZ2C7lgEcU~W7tzzGs1VeYmw6oNwgezbA0AVQjAYUCbx0Qh6k5r~otixXDexP8WqK0WNL53pXb1Hg~TnKX7lSBDwJxT5JLNV4h1YZDvq8KIat1cS7k8JfFCPkixt2sLF~5ofNjwebuna7hPgha1ohrVv959ubYtcycQ1aAc2W8UOhT6BeHHVKCw8cNwGL6ryDMutOXh50bE5qybTJCO6kTZkaAtR-TIb7EGiOEAwrFdHSy9lzih7UkTnFLQj-cULKMlgMhRNGmPJ8vxLzeVdEezStJ0heIRlX9zldvEkZbDSvMuIhvrBKCTbNqu5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Hampshire Legislature","date","2025-04-07T16:43:39.7Z","article","Senate Bill 63, introduced by Sen. Tim Lang at the Ways and Means Committee public hearing, would clarify how the rooms-and-meals tax is split so that the 3.15% allocation for state travel-and-tourism promotion is removed from gross revenue before the 30% municipal share is calculated.

The bill, Lang told the committee, \"puts it back to the way it was\" by ensuring the Division of Travel and Tourism's marketing allocation is taken first from gross rooms-and-meals revenue, then the remaining amount is split between the state and municipalities. Lang said the change corrects an unintended interpretation by the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) that had directed the municipal reimbursement fund to be paid before the promotional allocation.

Why it matters: Industry witnesses told lawmakers that the promotional allocation supports statewide marketing that in turn generates meals-and-rooms receipts. Jessica Keeler, president of Ski New Hampshire, said the 3.15% promotional allocation was part of an agreement reached in 2009 when the meals-and-rooms rate was raised, and that since that time the promotional budget has supported marketing and matching grant programs including the joint promotional program (JPP).

Keeler said the statutory change in 2019 effectively moved the municipal allocation ahead of the promotional allocation and reduced the promotional budget by about 30% in statute even though recent budgets had continued to fund tourism at historic levels. \"Fixing RSA 78-a:26 so that the 3.15% for the promotional budget is added to the statute and factored before the allocation is done for towns is vital,\" Keeler said, noting travel-and-tourism supports about 70,000 jobs statewide and that last year's meals-and-rooms tax receipts were estimated at about $328 million.

Mike Summers, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association, said the promotional funding reaches markets (for example, Boston and New York) that individual small businesses cannot reach on their own and that the state's marketing is a primary tool to attract out-of-state visitors. \"This brings the business to New Hampshire where we then can collect the tax and remit it to you,\" Summers said.

Committee members asked whether the statutory fix would immediately change this year's tourism budget. Keeler and Lang said the bill would affect future budget cycles rather than the currently proposed tourism appropriation, and that DRA's interpretation has been the source of the difference between the statutory text and how the promotional allocation has been treated in practice.

Several members asked for analysis of potential revenue and visitation impacts if promotional funding were reduced. Keeler and Summers said they were assembling case studies from other states and industry data; Keeler referenced an industry-commissioned analysis that, she said, found roughly $15 in tax receipts for every $1 spent on tourism promotion on average over a multi-year period. Both witnesses cautioned that precise impacts would vary by market and require further study.

No formal action was taken on SB 63 during the hearing; the public hearing was closed after testimony and committee questions.

Ending: Committee members asked to hear from DRA to clarify statutory language and priority of disbursements, and industry witnesses said they would provide supporting analyses to show the potential fiscal and visitation effects of reduced promotional funding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Ways and Means (04/07/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 63, introduced by Sen. Tim Lang, would clarify that the state's 3.15% promotional allocation for travel-and-tourism be taken from gross rooms-and-meals revenue before the 30% municipal allocation, a change Lang and industry witnesses said corrects a DRA interpretation that they say reduced the effective tourism marketing pot in statute.","taxTitle","Ways and Means, House of Representatives, Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",17769,"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},6612484,"Bill would allow treasurer to invest nongame species funds; agency cites donor interest",558,4985000,5543000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891109-12c08092728c6543b5bf2565397205ac&start=4985&end=5543","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891109-12c08092728c6543b5bf2565397205ac/thumbnail_4985000.jpg","/articles/6612484/New-Hampshire/Bill-would-allow-treasurer-to-invest-nongame-species-funds-agency-cites-donor-interest","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612484-9b075f8f06a3bbfbba555a5c5d0c4c66/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078914&Signature=ENDK-YXkS~cjlxD5rz-pyNw5OUBOpTdbsPHJtQ5yhkJfF2kF0cQt0DZMs-EUDxX4Y7TIm5V5KXc89q6S0LF~nEZ22aGzmNljG57vLRTB9YuqZLxA1e65jPIZC6XFntl1L~tGsOSlUvYVrbnjUsEwVzAdsLRH-YnOL6DmtBU-RABPXsp5HfJ6N3T92i5ji8FzOQudIhpSoga0HN-azHEEYaHyzMtM9ePmMVUz9Bl0BxBKAosWS8fWE-KI3Q8c4Pxec4LQGDDNDOCKXBJU8YscrEr8Ju-bztKcv4nNqgSoJGp5yTeTA5c3Zu7FBIaHULXOXQ9RuSaICe8-pVXRbBjKsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 107, sponsored by Sen. Tim Lang and presented to the Ways and Means Committee, would authorize the state treasurer to invest funds in the nongame species account and direct that any interest earned be credited back to that account.

Lang said the statutory change is straightforward: it adds language allowing the treasurer to invest Fish & Game's nongame funds and to credit any investment interest back to the nongame species account. He told the committee the agency requested the change so larger donations or matching amounts could earn additional returns while remaining available for nongame species work.

Mike Marchand and Mike Marchand (department representatives) and Mike Manchand (spoke as representative of Fish & Game in support) explained the nongame program's mission. Fish & Game staff said the program handles species that are not typically hunted, fished or trapped and relies heavily on private donations and a statutory general-fund contribution (currently $100,000) that itself requires private matching. The witnesses said donors have inquired about leaving legacy gifts and want those donations to be invested so the account can sustain research, monitoring and technical assistance.

Committee members asked how the funds are currently held and whether the treasurer is already providing any investment services. Witnesses said money has in practice been held in treasury accounts that earn minimal bank interest; the bill explicitly authorizes broader investment by the treasurer in order to increase returns. Representative Schamberg suggested inviting the state treasurer to answer technical questions about possible investment vehicles and expected returns; sponsor Lang suggested an email to the treasurer as a next step.

Action: In executive session the committee voted \"ought to pass\" on SB 107 (the motion passed by recorded roll call among members present). The vote was recorded as 15 yes with 5 members absent. Committee staff noted the bill carried a fiscal note and would not be placed on the consent calendar.

Ending: Fish & Game said the investment authority would help the nongame program fund long-term monitoring and help secure matching funds for federal grants; the committee asked staff to follow up with the treasurer on technical language for investment authority and interest crediting.","Sen. Tim Lang and Fish & Game witnesses told the committee that Senate Bill 107 authorizes the state treasurer to invest the nongame species account and to credit interest back to the fund; witnesses said donors have offered sizable legacy gifts that would benefit from investment returns.",{"_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},6612489,"Committee hears bill to protect boat-decals for boat-ramps and lake restoration funds",1752,3213000,4965000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891109-12c08092728c6543b5bf2565397205ac&start=3213&end=4965","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891109-12c08092728c6543b5bf2565397205ac/thumbnail_3213000.jpg","/articles/6612489/New-Hampshire/Committee-hears-bill-to-protect-boat-decals-for-boat-ramps-and-lake-restoration-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612489-9d1098f1fc40ada0df6b2b8d8ef5448d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078914&Signature=NtyUYv~50iYhOAcHOx7ShUsI7xouP7sPbxkUL5NR~h-14s-ERAFnGS05R8QWWKScaLMGYyyNjTWghlXRWnS~G1~MeYSNj42ahgNOwvFgYx1vBMLYNXD2GhUc72LERSEFEmeWuT-J0Mv0G3GL13ZoIcLY1PeWSBn7dDx9Cj67RikMCGw2AYGFj4oj-pfmEcjjMPLFup8VlyagdIy41wtDgX33qT2paLqhd69Kc21F9U3hTux2ot0LsV-cqHVoeOCkkxW2KKPqir8Eo-~nTUq2MhiBbvAUDwK1UbZMCJLIdhb3RKaVOhGnRoRk-GB~u0bB40BUkHsl5e3bjfdQFTOr7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 51, introduced by Sen. David Waters during the Ways and Means Committee public hearing, would clarify statutory language so that specified portions of boat registration decal fees are dedicated to the state's boat access program and the Lake Restoration and Preservation Fund.

Waters said the bill is \"primarily housekeeping,\" and that it directs the existing $5 boat decal fee to the boat-access fund to ensure those revenues are not diverted. He told the committee protecting that dedicated revenue helps Fish and Game provide match for federal and other grants and can reduce the need to bond for expensive ramp projects.

Garrett Graskamp, boat access coordinator for New Hampshire Fish and Game, and Mike Marchand of Fish and Game described recent ramp projects and costs to illustrate the program's needs. Graskamp said the department has built or refurbished high-cost ramps including projects of roughly $400,000'$500,000 for improvements such as an ADA-capable transfer platform on Newfound Lake and a reconstruction in Claremont. He told the committee the decal fee has not changed since it was established and the program covers roughly 36 state-managed boat ramps while the state has hundreds of lakes over 10 acres.

Committee members asked whether one or two decals are required and how fees are collected. Fish and Game witnesses clarified that a single decal covers several dedicated accounts associated with registration; administrative services divides receipts to the specific funds and the funds are non-lapsing and available until drawn down. Representative Spar asked whether indexing or regular fee increases would be appropriate; Graskamp said the department would welcome additional resources but his immediate goal was protecting and clarifying the funds.

Members also pressed on enforcement and fee-collection practicality. Fish and Game said remote fee-collection or parking meters are problematic at many ramps because sites are unmanned, remote and subject to vandalism; conservation officers already cover large territories and the department lacks resources to staff ramps for fee collection.

Action: In executive session the committee voted \"ought to pass\" on SB 51 as amended by the Senate; the clerk recorded a committee roll call showing the motion passed unanimously among members present (15 yes, 0 no; 5 absent). The committee placed the bill on consent.

Ending: Committee members asked DRA and administrative services to confirm the statutory wording and mechanics for non-lapsing status and interest crediting; sponsors and staff said they would follow up with technical corrections if needed.","Sen. David Waters and Fish & Game representatives told Ways and Means that Senate Bill 51 would clarify that specific boat-decal fees are dedicated to state boat-access and lake-restoration funds, preserving matching capacity and avoiding bonding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill would restore tourism marketing share in rooms-and-meals split; industry warns of cuts if not fixed

Bill would allow treasurer to invest nongame species funds; agency cites donor interest

Committee hears bill to protect boat-decals for boat-ramps and lake restoration funds