[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"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","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87,99,111],{"_32":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":73},"mediaId",6577656,"mediaKeyId","3112628-6e7175fb29d6299aa8f203c736f8bc83","parentId",3112628,"title","Committee retains bill seeking single statewide building and fire code","audioSeconds",1164,"startMs",69000,"endMs",1233000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3112628-6e7175fb29d6299aa8f203c736f8bc83&start=69&end=1233","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3112628-6e7175fb29d6299aa8f203c736f8bc83/thumbnail_69000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6577656/New-Hampshire/Committee-retains-bill-seeking-single-statewide-building-and-fire-code","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577656-42ecd1b1174c0637c683476203c7bcea/orig.mp4?Expires=1769740841&Signature=OkfUvjECm8lcH81JMzdDoLDL~OHZWsd2BgDw-WHQGBWvlbyB92OW3IlSnnCkJl4xXl54wxK5T55AHCqgqUWAXljb2HFWkj0FImmtXkNtIBhVV8Bc6M0maf6BcHxN2Ydhd-3DdNjg5cdfhTSorjBf~wlK6Ydiuw6iumGzWubzDMViZm65bUiYCyGKqe5NJurFTXb66vTjhkaMfcPO3ZkfL1DxUnuQrIWKjFCvE8JvGknHsnr2vfPRtqvgqWhjbiBjjfk0gHKwDA0~tiDx7IRBMjkRjql37IWnhPwpZdNiBOrv70tHvGtM1RL4UqfUYwfkXfP7X1nVQcXn9-ZUXX0vnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Hampshire Legislature","date","2025-04-24T17:47:34.55Z","article","The Executive Departments and Administration Committee on April 16 retained Senate Bill 94, a measure that would bar municipalities from adopting local amendments to the state building code and create a uniform statewide standard.

Supporters told the committee a single code would reduce construction costs and regulatory unpredictability as builders move between towns. Representative Peter Schmidt, who opened the hearing on the bill, said the measure aims to give developers “a level playing field.”

The bill drew testimonies from industry and policy groups. Drew Klein of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy said building-code variations are a “ghost issue” that raise housing costs and hinder new construction. Alex Katrubas of the Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire and Matt Mayberry, CEO of the New Hampshire Home Builders Association, urged standardization to reduce delays and unexpected compliance expenses for residential and commercial projects.

Fire-safety stakeholders supported a single code but asked the committee to preserve limited local administrative flexibility for enforcement. Sean Toomey, identified in committee testimony as state fire marshal, and Marshall Toomey (testimony labels vary) said they and local fire chiefs have worked with camps and builders to identify a distinction between “administrative” amendments — e.g., information about alarm panel key types or sprinkler connection sizes — and “technical” amendments that change safety requirements. Toomey said administrative amendments help with permitting and inspections and urged the committee to allow them where necessary for local enforcement.

Committee members said a House companion bill (HB 428) is being amended to include the fire code and administrative amendments. The committee voted to retain Senate Bill 94, allowing the House bill work to proceed and avoiding conflicting language between the two measures.

Votes at the committee roll call recorded the motion to retain as approved (yes votes recorded in committee). No final statutory language was enacted at the hearing; the record shows the committee opted to retain the Senate bill and continue work on the House vehicle that incorporates fire-code and administrative provisions.

The bill’s proponents said the intent is not to remove local enforcement authority but to make state codes and state amendments transparent and consistent, and to limit surprise local changes that can raise the cost and complexity of building projects. Committee members asked staff and advocates to continue coordinating to ensure exceptions and administrative enforcement mechanisms are clearly defined in the companion vehicle.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Executive Departments and Administration (04/24/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","The Executive Departments and Administration Committee on April 16 retained Senate Bill 94, a measure that would bar municipalities from adopting local amendments to the state building code and create a uniform statewide standard.","taxTitle","Executive Departments and Administration, House of Representatives, Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",17748,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6577638,"Committee hears bill to recognize Service Dog Week; no committee action taken",414,4998000,5412000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3112628-6e7175fb29d6299aa8f203c736f8bc83&start=4998&end=5412","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3112628-6e7175fb29d6299aa8f203c736f8bc83/thumbnail_4998000.jpg","/articles/6577638/New-Hampshire/Committee-hears-bill-to-recognize-Service-Dog-Week-no-committee-action-taken","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577638-b841957bd47955aa500d3858505f9969/orig.mp4?Expires=1769740841&Signature=Bbis5tNcK2GLZJWCILBTTDIQhJVFWusR1fmHZ4orauwK3~O9i5HiPxzlfiQYaZrN-0GFvpOjAXe5xuAN2bH6wpj0HgcA~bTDuPSDuzPfqNQbfeE4y~3gd8hE2mI0F-rnEufATRuvJjk9i1AbshMq~FdakbrrVQZzzTpQzsM-QTHGeKd5Jh4BQGwgQ2F~Q5tU8UtrvEqgz7v~Oc-2nZaYHI93FEx6yE~5FRBvSfm1XdmDmBcvHZ9qtUfU00pAkbewL7JOec3XWtH3suyOasPeorLJXtRNoxpc~83tORzBTvacRlDxl-E~RqNSC2pgfxO7XIY2kPk9ePGT3ewBGyxVrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Executive Departments and Administration Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 198, which would designate the third week in September as New Hampshire Service Dog Week to recognize service dogs and encourage public awareness of their role in assisting people with disabilities.

Senator David Waters introduced the bill and said it would invite government and communities to observe the week and “increase awareness of the contribution of service dogs and those who train them.” He cited national statistics on disability prevalence and the range of conditions service dogs assist, including mobility, sensory impairments and medical-alert functions.

Vernon (Brenton) Madden, founder and chairman of the New Hampshire Coalition for the Support of Service Dogs, testified in favor and said the coalition provides education, advocacy and financial assistance for veterinary bills. Madden emphasized the legal distinction between service dogs (which have protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act) and emotional-support animals, which do not have the same legal status.

No committee vote on SB 198 was recorded during the hearing; the bill’s public hearing was closed and the committee moved on to other items. Committee members who spoke expressed general support for recognition of service dogs, and a sponsor representative said he would follow up if the committee wanted a committee report or further action.","Senate Bill 198, proposing the third week in September as New Hampshire Service Dog Week, drew testimony from the bill sponsor and nonprofit advocates; the committee heard the testimonies but took no formal vote during the hearing",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6577644,"Committee recommends 'inexpedient to legislate' on bill to make second Thursday in October Children’s Environmental Health Day",6877,4567000,11444000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3112628-6e7175fb29d6299aa8f203c736f8bc83&start=4567&end=11444","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3112628-6e7175fb29d6299aa8f203c736f8bc83/thumbnail_4567000.jpg","/articles/6577644/New-Hampshire/Committee-recommends-inexpedient-to-legislate-on-bill-to-make-second-Thursday-in-October-Childrens-Environmental-Health-Day","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577644-510fc2f5bea2698f5ab373ec404fe72e/orig.mp4?Expires=1769740841&Signature=boDEGwyq8r-96K7x9H1XLDWe2FJv9a1nbn0ro1ofNIvzW6trYmH8WwSexD3cOl1-PtL7kueSF5pDTTIasi79UHdDYHai0yMa4vkyGzb3UdO2GEd~aHU7CY6pEprEn4GRupmi4mzTBSgrZDuv81sK4MIFj5eWeZ~GYa9k7BLOl3oMHyzn0YmikJmHLqKkgYRQTAX6janV1lfuyTW3YQjVnMeJAA2jqcmC7o4Ews0L2dPXU9urN45w9J-zVt0DKbTcuV7V2zpySk9jvOWSMR6BqQDcYQJ1E~cobozUDZOPnu-lgF-8efVrWYYyPa6IO8419Ctk5H3chSRnjnZln823PA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Executive Departments and Administration Committee on April 16 recommended that Senate Bill 184, which would designate the second Thursday in October as Children’s Environmental Health Day and direct the governor to encourage local observances, is inexpedient to legislate.

Max Taylor, legislative aide to Senator Ricciardi, introduced the bill and said it would establish an annual gubernatorial proclamation encouraging cities and towns to observe the day and raise awareness about environmental exposures that disproportionately affect children, such as private-well contamination and radon.

Karen Craver (testimony spelled in transcript as Krever/Craver), administrator of the Environmental Health Program at the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES), testified the department already recognizes National Children’s Environmental Health Day through social media and partnership activities and described DES programs that target children’s exposures, such as well-water testing outreach, radon awareness, the Soil SHOP lead-screening program, and a lead-in-drinking-water remediation program.

Committee members said they supported the goal but questioned whether legislating the date would improve observance. One member argued that state proclamations and agency efforts already sustain awareness and that putting the day into statute could lessen active engagement by stakeholders who now pursue proclamations and events. After discussion the committee moved for a recommendation of ITL (inexpedient to legislate); the roll-call recorded the committee’s recommendation as ITL.

No statutory observance will be enacted by this committee at this time; witnesses and DES said the agency will continue existing outreach to promote children’s environmental health and awareness.","The committee heard testimony from the Department of Environmental Services and other proponents but voted to recommend ITL (inexpedient to legislate), saying existing proclamations and agency activities already support observance",{"_32":100,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":101,"_40":102,"_42":103,"_44":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6577646,"Committee approves amendment to ease sprinkler requirement for seasonal youth camp cabins",8391,2751000,11142000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3112628-6e7175fb29d6299aa8f203c736f8bc83&start=2751&end=11142","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3112628-6e7175fb29d6299aa8f203c736f8bc83/thumbnail_2751000.jpg","/articles/6577646/New-Hampshire/Committee-approves-amendment-to-ease-sprinkler-requirement-for-seasonal-youth-camp-cabins","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577646-2b81677e19807aee6598966cb5dfdff7/orig.mp4?Expires=1769740841&Signature=G2ZbIM-gHNt1GSZFkwX-OW4QGHy5pBAGHtvYQ0cHgLeWsTx7vbjXft7f0OeePvNZq1dFvsMH-fMfb~5FXdkBzP0-v61QwGD7tDfiJaxvoNdQWnDvnnIQXkp4mTmIntuZozdsgT0BxhF6xJv97ENUs8rI-7x8CJwj0g7PxW0ilh8jvoAHxMA7MvasYtpnM2qEeIMD7WPZlrx9W4fs-xaCaYsOipP4YPx4H2xVoGrVGJDpUXqmpqGyEuc3k43jvmk8pXtbH9gk4QQOOQmh5Nua4HgxIiPqcp15FmZ-rT9ZzlYcfpc-d7hQTqR~6bpt7QqfzrSvTXbkKqcQF7pn0AGQFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Executive Departments and Administration Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 95 with an amendment that preauthorizes building-code and fire-code amendments to treat certain youth camp cabins as seasonal residential structures exempt from automatic sprinkler requirements.

Senator Mark McConkie introduced the bill as an attempt to address confusion about how state building and fire codes apply to seasonal children’s summer-camp cabins. He said the statute is intended to reflect longstanding practice and to reduce costly and inconsistent enforcement actions when local interpretations change.

Camp operators and the American Camp Association’s government-affairs representatives told the committee cabins at summer camps have life-safety profiles different from dormitories or rooming houses and that many cabins are seasonal and primitive (sometimes without plumbing or electricity). Scott Brody, a camp director who testified, described standard operating practices including regular fire drills, staff-to-child supervision ratios, and means of egress tailored to camp buildings. He said large structural sprinkler systems are impractical and costly for many seasonal cabins and can be difficult to maintain in structures that are drained for winter.

State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey said his office worked closely with camps and local fire chiefs to craft language modeled on existing chapters of the fire code to preserve safety provisions — e.g., smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, required exits — while exempting some seasonal cabins from automatic sprinkler mandates. Phil Sherman, chair of the Building Code Review Board, recommended instructing the Board of Fire Control and the Building Code Review Board to insert the implementing language into the applicable code chapters so design professionals and enforcement officials can find it easily.

The committee approved an amendment (filed as 1740-H) that “preauthorizes any building code or fire code amendments that may be necessary” to implement the bill and places that language into a code location for clarity. On a roll call the committee voted to pass SB 95 with the amendment and placed it on consent for further legislative action.

Committee members asked about typical cabin sizes, two-story restrictions in the bill (the compromise limits residential cabins to two stories to ensure practical evacuation), smoke-detector and fire-extinguisher requirements, and whether camps generally prohibit smoking; witnesses said smoke detectors and annual inspections are required, camps typically prohibit smoking, and larger shared-use buildings (dining halls, multipurpose buildings) would still be held to conventional code requirements including sprinklers where appropriate.","After hearings with camp operators, the state fire marshal and building-code officials, the committee adopted an amendment and voted to advance Senate Bill 95 to allow a limited waiver of automatic sprinkler requirements for certain seasonal youth camp cabins while preserving other fire-safety measures",{"_32":112,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":113,"_40":114,"_42":115,"_44":116,"_46":117,"_48":118,"_50":119,"_52":120,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":121,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":122,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6577651,"Committee votes to advance bill naming Virginia opossum New Hampshire's state marsupial",2049,2025000,4074000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3112628-6e7175fb29d6299aa8f203c736f8bc83&start=2025&end=4074","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3112628-6e7175fb29d6299aa8f203c736f8bc83/thumbnail_2025000.jpg","/articles/6577651/New-Hampshire/Committee-votes-to-advance-bill-naming-Virginia-opossum-New-Hampshires-state-marsupial","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577651-3fd59f388173c5ebb1ae0a4a607603ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1769740841&Signature=SWp9tnFKOW6mqAKvoIyckp1rAbrCV-GGzqdKzR7Y0TOCv3NrUpevV2an0r57tdRFV52VsTiaxks2Jja3YTW0S03gonFxk-wh49~hb0SUIF-uJX6XRgYHEw2FeJSmuFvmCCOgPBWgjYd7ONoCews4bGPNu5xywlO0BU9sNdxfouzmotUiA5NFJBUnQQuzI3~nZsN1yqdA44dxR-DjeHb2vTUpd70UlU8SGa9ujcb9ivWwZ6-1BvIh1R2NZJhgs61hgL~d9oFa~FgL0fte2CdTi6zt8jmXj-6DUwpBcnx5htByTtUB0ePWJe1XyhT0AzPIchXMPTxdTcSqKrmW88KscQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Executive Departments and Administration Committee voted 12–2 to recommend Senate Bill 30, a bipartisan, largely symbolic bill that would designate the Virginia opossum as New Hampshire’s state marsupial.

Senator Donovan Fenton, who introduced the bill, said the proposal originated with a fourth-grade class in Chesterfield that petitioned to make the opossum the state marsupial. “These students were able to come and testify at the senate hearing,” Fenton said, and he urged the committee to support a measure that engages young Granite Staters with the legislative process.

Committee members treated the item as a lighthearted but civics-oriented bill. Representative Howard, who moved the committee’s recommendation, called the proposal “a very lighthearted bill” and said it presents “an amazing opportunity to show our young Granite Staters that they can be involved in the legislative process.”

Some members spoke against devoting legislative time to symbolic measures. One member said such bills “trivialize the legislature,” but the prevailing view favored passage to acknowledge student engagement. The committee recorded a roll-call vote of 12 in favor and 2 opposed on the motion to recommend the bill.

The measure, as amended by the Senate in committee discussion, directs that any opossum found within New Hampshire’s borders be called a “New Hampshire opossum” for purposes of the designation; testimony noted that the animal’s Latin name includes “virginiana.” The hearing included no technical agency objections; the committee moved the bill forward.","Senate Bill 30, introduced by Sen. Donovan Fenton and prompted by fourth-grade students, was recommended 'ought to pass' after lighthearted testimony emphasizing civic engagement by students; committee approved the measure 12–2","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee retains bill seeking single statewide building and fire code

Committee hears bill to recognize Service Dog Week; no committee action taken

Committee recommends 'inexpedient to legislate' on bill to make second Thursday in October Children’s Environmental Health Day

Committee approves amendment to ease sprinkler requirement for seasonal youth camp cabins

Committee votes to advance bill naming Virginia opossum New Hampshire's state marsupial