[{"_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",6595899,"mediaKeyId","3021630-3921693a84407b4af0d808a91a6d05c7","parentId",3021630,"title","Committee backs changes to oil spill cleanup fund fees after actuarial review; bill advances with implementation delay","audioSeconds",888,"startMs",3160000,"endMs",4048000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3021630-3921693a84407b4af0d808a91a6d05c7&start=3160&end=4048","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3021630-3921693a84407b4af0d808a91a6d05c7/thumbnail_3160000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6595899/New-Hampshire/Committee-backs-changes-to-oil-spill-cleanup-fund-fees-after-actuarial-review-bill-advances-with-implementation-delay","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595899-1e73fefc443ca0f382faa7a5d09637a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149830&Signature=XbFEf3T-nSk-8UC6C~avRTgDGPgoLRLq2aV1wSFxjUDzohWhBdJM5dkfiEBIUgqJ4vuTjM6bvY5lnY3UOKv0xfeKHs9FcmytwIWxZ5Nw9fL7rKy8py4qEotPQGs7sbXj-B4G3xX9TUOBpiR3DZX-YX3tdsG5x4wGtCxHisRNm86ERnBJAVKf4EsOyVcqggpsudmNuTuCZpmbyNSUkEYW8ltbFwqPSmKrcl5MobtpFqWWgBuUTw0s61lCslY2s~Az4ukLPObhNOiN4~asyxC8BGy5ChRPvxgtHWTjlDEkFcLq53AIOddtPFujtVULF9-9VP9rephRd0rfOtZKYdhz0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Hampshire Legislature","date","2025-04-16T14:58:24.513Z","article","CONCORD, N.H. — The Senate Ways and Means Committee voted Tuesday to advance a bill that raises and realigns import fees that support New Hampshire's oil cleanup and prevention funds, following an actuarial review and testimony from the Department of Environmental Services and industry stakeholders.

Representative Mike Edgar, speaking as a member of the Oil Fund Disbursement Board, introduced House Bill 658 and described its effect on two funds: the Oil Discharge and Disposal cleanup fund (ODD) and the Oil Pollution Control fund (OPC). Robert Bishop, administrator of the Oil Remediation and Compliance Bureau at New Hampshire DES, told senators the statute consolidates several import fees that date back decades and that the current rates (for example, 1.5 cents per gallon on gasoline and diesel and 4 cents per gallon on motor oil) have not kept pace with costs since the 1990s.

An actuarial firm, Taylor & Mulder, projected ODD and OPC spending and recommended an overall 8 percent increase in oil import fees to maintain financial viability over the next 10 years. Bishop cited the firm's use of historical remediation expenses, DES response records, U.S. Energy Information Administration fuel forecasts and other data to develop the projections.

The funds support removal of petroleum'contaminated soil and groundwater, the safe tank program and a heating tank replacement program for low'income homeowners, among other prevention and cleanup activities. Bishop and Jennifer Martz, supervisor of DES's fund management section, highlighted recent activity: more than 4,700 projects have been supported historically; the safe tank program replaced 202 tanks so far in fiscal year 2025; and the ODD fund recently supported redevelopment of a contaminated Manchester mill site that became a mixed'use, 250'unit housing project after removal of oil'impacted soil.

Industry and board members supported the measure. Senator Howard Pearl, a sponsor in the Senate, described the bill as an effort to realign fees so the party that imports a particular fuel type helps fund cleanups associated with that fuel. Tom Frawley, chairman of the Oil Fund Board and a fuel distributor, said the board and industry stakeholders support the proposal and emphasized the fund's long record of effective management.

The committee adopted a technical amendment to synchronize implementation dates with administrative processes, then voted \"ought to pass as amended.\" Members also placed the bill on the consent calendar. Committee discussion noted that one of the funds (the OPC) is subject to a 5 percent sweep in the current House budget language, while the ODD fund is not; witnesses said DES budgets for short'term response capacity from the OPC fund and that the funds together reimburse roughly $12.5 million annually for corrective action plus nearly $6 million for administration, response and prevention in prior budgets.

The bill also extends the statutory authority to collect the import fees (which expire periodically) and temporarily continues current fee rates for six months to give the Department of Safety time to implement new licensing forms and training. DES staff said the staggered effective dates will allow the department to notify licensees and complete rulemaking and form changes before the new fee structure takes effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

Next steps: The committee's \"ought to pass as amended\" recommendation and placement on the consent calendar send the bill forward in the legislative process; a finance or fiscal review was requested by at least one senator during discussion.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Ways and Means (04/16/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","CONCORD, N.H. — The Senate Ways and Means Committee voted Tuesday to advance a bill that raises and realigns import fees that support New Hampshire's oil cleanup and prevention funds, following an actuarial review and testimony from DES and industry.","taxTitle","Judiciary, Senate , Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",29511,"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},6595903,"Senate committee hears push to raise New Hampshire homestead exemption; debate focuses on $1 million proposal and trust language",842,342000,1184000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3021630-3921693a84407b4af0d808a91a6d05c7&start=342&end=1184","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3021630-3921693a84407b4af0d808a91a6d05c7/thumbnail_342000.jpg","/articles/6595903/New-Hampshire/Senate-committee-hears-push-to-raise-New-Hampshire-homestead-exemption-debate-focuses-on-1-million-proposal-and-trust-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595903-2d12464940ad72e8c10b92e4298fc6b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149830&Signature=fK1cq~q4Q321jn3rMVB2qfp1duoxdLTmfHr7To5zGAqtMhvvHsXjPCe4MNxmSQYqqeFnz3rvJso94PuAU9pOmnCark0ypsw0d4cb5xEQlhp5BzK43FcUWMmL9tRziaB~XxL3Ipol5Ep~TM36w2SpKSrZWVXFZGUs7W-rnevJgF4kEQCoDnmndSggBKEbEYfpuOUofHpeNSgIslPD9gUaMBIsZrDxDPC0hmZL1TLQ2rPfI85diBkf15SSWZdLzwYcI56WoDZYWjN49k0qppts0Z7bU25hxag7LME~XpbPY91DOkk7Fs76yMAojZ1U0YJwOGj-GBF5oDnEhuyLNkXLhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CONCORD, N.H. — Lawmakers and attorneys on Tuesday heard hours of testimony on House Bill 617, a proposal to raise the state's homestead exemption that now protects a homeowner's equity from some creditor actions.

Representative Melissa Litchfield, sponsor of the bill, told the Senate Ways and Means Committee the current individual exemption of $120,000 (which doubles for married couples under current statute) no longer reflects modern housing values and left homeowners exposed. \"My goal in this is just simply to protect the roof over your head,\" Litchfield said, explaining her bill would increase the exemption to $1,000,000 and include provisions for primary residences, qualifying trusts and a six'month reinvestment window after a sale.

Supporters including bankruptcy attorneys and small'business advocates described practical effects when equity exceeds the exemption. An attorney who said he represents debtors in bankruptcy urged a substantial increase, citing the 2023 New Hampshire bankruptcy court decision Brady v. Sumske, which his testimony said limited homestead protection to a single exemption for the owner. \"The increase in values of homes has rendered it very possible for trustees in bankruptcy to take homes away from people,\" he said, urging an exemption that lets households keep homes with modest equity.

Peter Tomposi, an attorney from Nashua, and others linked the exemption to small business risk-taking and entrepreneurship. \"Small businesses are really the cornerstone of large parts of the American economy,\" Tomposi said, arguing that stronger homestead protection preserves entrepreneurs' ability to restart after failure.

The New Hampshire Bankers Association opposed the $1,000,000 level as excessive. Ryan Hill, the association's vice president for government relations, told senators a more historically incremental approach would be prudent and suggested $250,000 for an individual and $500,000 for a married couple as a compromise.

Bankruptcy practitioners who testified described practical details and potential drafting problems. Witnesses supported a reinvestment window that would protect proceeds from a sale for six months if the homeowner buys a new primary residence. At the same time, attorneys warned some statutory language could trigger litigation: one witness questioned a requirement that homeowners give a written notice to the county sheriff about a claimed exemption, calling that procedure \"superfluous\" and potentially a source of disputes over how notice is given.

Committee members asked several technical questions about trusts, the reinvestment provision and whether the bill protects owners' equity (rather than adding to mortgage liens). Testimony repeatedly emphasized that the statute protects a homeowner's ownership interest (equity) and does not erase underlying debt. Several speakers suggested clarifying the bill's trust language to specify that revocable (probate-avoiding) trusts, not asset-protection irrevocable trusts, are intended to qualify.

After considerable discussion, senators adopted a committee compromise amendment (reducing the proposed $1,000,000 level) and then debated additional edits intended to make the exemption amount available to one or more owners of a property without making marital status the sole determinant. The committee did not take a final vote on the bill Tuesday; members said they would continue consideration at a later session and seek additional drafting clarifications on trust definitions and notice language.

Votes and amendments taken during the hearing reflected support for narrowing the proposed dollar amount and adjusting technical language, but the committee deferred final action to allow time for further revisions and fiscal review.

If enacted, the bill would change long'standing practice in New Hampshire and affect homeowners who face lawsuits, unsecured creditor actions or bankruptcy. Supporters argued the change would prevent displacement of long'time residents and small business owners whose home equity now often exceeds the century'old exemption. Opponents said a very large jump could unduly favor wealthier homeowners and urged a smaller, phased increase.

Next steps: Committee members said they will continue to refine the bill's definitions for qualifying trusts and the process for notice to sheriffs or registries of deeds, and will return to the question of the dollar amount when they receive additional fiscal and drafting advice.","CONCORD, N.H. — Lawmakers and attorneys on Tuesday heard hours of testimony on House Bill 617, a proposal to raise the state's homestead exemption that now protects a homeowner's equity from some creditor actions.",{"_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},6595894,"Senate committee revises games-of-chance rules: Keno made subject to local opt-out; Lottery seeks true three-year licenses",1755,4650000,6405000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3021630-3921693a84407b4af0d808a91a6d05c7&start=4650&end=6405","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3021630-3921693a84407b4af0d808a91a6d05c7/thumbnail_4650000.jpg","/articles/6595894/New-Hampshire/Senate-committee-revises-games-of-chance-rules-Keno-made-subject-to-local-opt-out-Lottery-seeks-true-three-year-licenses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595894-2933f2a35a2affbdb80384a858af0f2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149830&Signature=o45uNVmrezotGqOFXVxgRGWnSTkymRySISAshrjRxCwtfN9I-DHpLef6Y0xZFiuT~30KgUVj--xJBGUwnSMpfW~-rNiNUqXMX8Le~KyFEpBoTX7R4lm8f9n8Rf2jAEAdrd6oHlZ4uE28h2eAgo0J6bf~ZUSBsbT0NNjT8E0yZBwtzqb1OEtuV-ZhlZeMx7LIVFMNdPjBXNoghv~04bqDAtv-UA3fQ7ETDxKYv61Pjgz4KIujQWnYPH0AjcjYInTO2KKU0x6JzTA9oks4eyOUDpdlzoWX7LLsYq1OgcR1weXbxkO~TXHB-5LCvDg0FbbecLx0FMM3nJ4fIc0bDtnlcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CONCORD, N.H. — The Senate Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday moved forward with changes to state rules governing games of chance and lottery licensing, adopting amendments intended to give municipalities clearer authority to restrict brick-and-mortar gaming operations and to simplify lottery vendor licensure.

A non'germane amendment requested by the New Hampshire Lottery would make certain lottery vendor licenses true three'year licenses rather than a hybrid three'year permission with an annual attestation and annual fee. Valerie King of the New Hampshire Lottery told the committee that licensees have been confused by the current hybrid process that requires annual payment and attestation even though the law created a three'year background exemption. \"We've had a lot of confusion with licensees not understanding that they still have to pay annually and submit this paperwork,\" King said. Lottery staff asked lawmakers to make the license a straightforward three'year license to reduce administrative burden.

On municipal control of on'site gaming, senators adopted a set of amendments to House Bill 737 that change the default for keno: under the adopted language, keno would be legal statewide unless a city or town elects to prohibit games-of-chance operations with a physical facility in their jurisdiction. The bill as amended includes a delay to allow municipalities time to place the question on a local ballot; committee language set an 18'month window so towns and cities can act before keno becomes lawful in a jurisdiction (the bill schedules the statewide change to take effect Jan. 1, 2027, giving communities time to opt out if they choose).

Senator Roosevelt offered technical fixes clarifying how municipalities and cities can place the opt'out question on the ballot; senators also replaced the phrase \"brick and mortar\" with \"operations with a physical facility\" to make the statute clearer about which kinds of in'person operations are subject to local votes.

Committee members and staff emphasized the local'option nature of the change: the bill does not force municipalities to prohibit games of chance, but it gives them an accessible mechanism to do so. The committee adopted the amendments and voted the measure \"ought to pass as amended,\" then placed the bill on the consent calendar for floor consideration.

Next steps: With committee amendments adopted, the bill will proceed to the full Senate calendar. Municipal clerks and local election officials will be the principal implementers if jurisdictions choose to place opt'out questions on local ballots during the 18'month window.","The Senate Ways and Means Committee adopted several amendments to House Bill 737 and related measures to let municipalities opt out of games-of-chance locations (including keno) and to change lottery operator licensing to a true three-year cycle, eliminating annual attestations and payment confusion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee backs changes to oil spill cleanup fund fees after actuarial review; bill advances with implementation delay

Senate committee hears push to raise New Hampshire homestead exemption; debate focuses on $1 million proposal and trust language

Senate committee revises games-of-chance rules: Keno made subject to local opt-out; Lottery seeks true three-year licenses