[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6219643,"mediaKeyId","3621361-923b20d3697c739e2f7d79d06b0591ac","parentId",3621361,"title","Committee restores and increases general-fund support for university system above House level","audioSeconds",154,"startMs",5665000,"endMs",5819000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3621361-923b20d3697c739e2f7d79d06b0591ac&start=5665&end=5819","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3621361-923b20d3697c739e2f7d79d06b0591ac/thumbnail_5665000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6219643/New-Hampshire/Committee-restores-and-increases-general-fund-support-for-university-system-above-House-level","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219643-74e524fecf2646c28bd3bd7b3af60fa9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989217&Signature=iy46WyILPyNWtVFL7FGTyeZ59BifLL9FQgT~tu9jK0kOsPrF0sN2GDD0KTnozFCTnb0BzoKAyFjli0OwROEbVetUQMTcKvIHRmgSS9MXi0dE2gXmsxhk0wIdj4m~ONXZEgK~pkmGfHWfkI82WzHc0AV8gzugIxx~McvynLKZmnmk0QiU6EWNFbK9DK6DBpxM9j~uOqxD0RShcRvwY3VUgz-83R7uHgRF8Ld7ei4KQX0evOs18nps6ipGahwy~hgkd2t3Tn5nSWYzvNmDdgsDhmw91dWgFr13mKiBUSW8v3wrQ6IAk8mBBPMxYulihELXaAOS8mq90ymKp1E4u0WetA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Hampshire Legislature","date","2025-05-30T08:07:30Z","article","The Senate Finance Committee voted to increase state general-fund support for the university system, adding approximately $33 million per year to the House’s appropriation and restoring unique program funding that had been moved during earlier actions.

Legislative budget staff said the House had appropriated about $66.2 million in total funds (roughly $51 million in general funds and $15 million per year from other sources). The committee’s action adds roughly $33 million per year in general funds, which would bring the total general-fund appropriation to about $85 million per year for the university system.

A committee member explained the figure as an intermediate position: the governor’s recommendation was about $91.2 million per year, so the committee’s proposal increases funding beyond the House but remains below the governor’s request. LBA staff explained the arithmetic and said final numbers will be reflected in the consolidated packet that the committee will vote on later in the process.

Senators asked staff to confirm the dollar changes and the sources (general fund versus unique program funds) and were reminded that this is a committee-level decision that will be combined into a final package and re-voted when the complete HB2 package is prepared.

The committee voted in favor of the adjusted funding level; senators stressed transparency about revenue impacts and asked for packet materials to make the line-by-line differences clear before the final vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Finance (05/29/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Finance Committee voted to increase funding for the state university system, adding roughly $33 million per year in general funds above the House appropriation, bringing the committee’s total to about $85 million per year in state support for the system (still below the governor’s recommendation).","taxTitle","Senate , Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",29500,"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},6219647,"Senate committee moves language to put PFAS settlement money into drinking water fund statute",183,1931000,2114000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3621361-923b20d3697c739e2f7d79d06b0591ac&start=1931&end=2114","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3621361-923b20d3697c739e2f7d79d06b0591ac/thumbnail_1931000.jpg","/articles/6219647/New-Hampshire/Senate-committee-moves-language-to-put-PFAS-settlement-money-into-drinking-water-fund-statute","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219647-1684d039c53d244a964b055a541a5a97/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989217&Signature=ZE98dDFdAMpWmohjpl7Hs9t5WF3zLAORG1NVE1W2H-QKkCxMqBNq1V~6kCjRSByX6IDvKYDxPmNqTfiaVMd6z80EKGtJ9EQWp9dbpkgPKHaFTNMjdzZ3fSX7nZZdvXnTnFmICogbiLeaWCoioUpSMikyKglu5sPpeBycG~Y7BzR4Fn5XvaUimmFNqMx84AoB8wQCbBjtlkkNojAXp2XHJm-YnNyBLEiKz05K0GVlzwxjAx-UmrhKKRQV4YdIrmCIdzLkgsgM1jW0Qtym4w8Kpb4hSp4hrxERVWUz85QtlyIprHCFyV7ou6H7wqTRw0kGm9Gqu2Mp2TqUAst~t~MmmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Finance Committee voted to include statutory language describing the purpose and operation of a fund to receive and disburse settlement proceeds from PFAS contamination litigation, aiming to reimburse communities that already spent money remediating drinking-water systems.

A senator explained the change as putting the fund’s purpose into statute so that when settlement money arrives \"they can get to work\" without needing a separate bill. The amendment directs the Department of Environmental Services (DES) to determine eligible recipients and route final approvals for disbursement through the Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund (or the named fund in statute).

Committee members noted the settlement is a combination of multiple actions (3M, DuPont, Tyco) and that distributions have been delayed because additional defendants are still signing onto the settlement agreements. A senator clarified this was not solely a 3M settlement and that the timing of distributions depends on remaining defendants joining the settlement.

Senator Wallace and others said the statutory clarification is sensible: it will define eligibility and allow DES and the drinking-water fund to adopt a reimbursement formula when funds become available. Lawmakers said they did not yet know the total distribution timeline but agreed the statute should be in place so agencies can act when settlements are finalized.

The committee voted to approve the amendment and move the item forward in the HB2 package; senators requested the current eligibility sheets be included with materials so members can see the list of potentially eligible systems.","The committee added statutory language to define how settlement funds from PFAS litigation will be used to reimburse communities that spent money on remediation; committee members said funds will then go to the drinking water and groundwater fund for final disbursement approval.",{"_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},6219651,"Senate committee moves capital footnote for buying 1 Granite Place; seller to carry note and OPLC relocation discussed",148,1028000,1176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3621361-923b20d3697c739e2f7d79d06b0591ac&start=1028&end=1176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3621361-923b20d3697c739e2f7d79d06b0591ac/thumbnail_1028000.jpg","/articles/6219651/New-Hampshire/Senate-committee-moves-capital-footnote-for-buying-1-Granite-Place-seller-to-carry-note-and-OPLC-relocation-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219651-63334b569b027d2005c0a0bbf3328982/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989217&Signature=OhBn12Hxqmav4Jslbwu1OVJUmBxxaYnClHSaGyqAUF~zBWLfpkNIsMolANKun-ULbO4wNdnta3pG0vt~f24RCwHb2m6yKv-4TwX03hhJIseQ-z8s~PSE8lewLeFJecNXRMLjYxfRNzGIA9XeG~nHOONOi2rpscoALqWVXcRPL6kaEfAptq32DfhjZgctFS2VBnN6FQ9q09tpOFNulUgQhUwHZg9Y0k8ohDhiHfa--8glIPQf6kOl4z0PDxr0zyy8sAzX539OPN0VmIpUVTN9tZBcITskOWJprhObKqNIIxm-iYC79XE7v8jepuVukHMZBxm0jigPlHOcxVverW47AA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Finance Committee placed and then approved a capital provision that would enable the state to acquire 1 Granite Place — a building now housing leased Justice Department offices — with a footnote indicating the seller has agreed to carry part of the financing and to help cover any shortfalls.

A senator explained the move as a long-term cost-saving measure: \"we're already paying rent in 1 Granite Place for the Justice Department... this will take that rent off the books when we're ready to buy it,\" and added that negotiations produced a footnote where the buyer or seller \"agreed to carry the note for us\" and \"assist us moving, possibly OPLC over to that building and cover the cost to do the move as well.\"

Committee members questioned whether leftover funds would lapse to the capital budget or whether additional appropriations would be required if costs exceed estimates. The sponsor said the estimate was likely to be higher than shown in the packet and that the footnote language provides that the seller would carry any shortfall; decisions about using capital or other funding would be made by a future Legislature.

After discussion the committee voted to move the items forward with the committee amendment and footnote. Senators stressed the timing and that detailed budget and financing decisions would be finalized later in the budget package.

The committee also discussed holding other related agency items until the financing and parking in the larger HB2 package were clearer.","Committee members agreed to hold and then move an item that would clear rent expense by purchasing 1 Granite Place for the Justice Department; committee noted a footnote that the seller has agreed to carry a note for shortfalls and may help with moving the Office of Professional Licensing and Certification (OPLC).",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6219657,"Senate panel restores Human Rights Commission funding, undoes House repeal language",332,1276000,1608000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3621361-923b20d3697c739e2f7d79d06b0591ac&start=1276&end=1608","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3621361-923b20d3697c739e2f7d79d06b0591ac/thumbnail_1276000.jpg","/articles/6219657/New-Hampshire/Senate-panel-restores-Human-Rights-Commission-funding-undoes-House-repeal-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219657-3b0ae6413c416c2f99b65e2847d3af56/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989217&Signature=FrAUzqEALVsTtwHnPTpxENpsG3kt8scYRCkwpoE1Z1lsj8sW7SvXBz4UzbUYlzEi-VCIgnt1TziNxEba5I4o-Fq1yZYmNQxyo675YEb50GZvgIGa1xJJTneskhxyJq3tUYD7ycnR6YLAEuoZukRB2NH4UnO8X5Cb6g8-Q954oSfWdGkOWp9Ba1MM-FP91r5mHDcZlMIZLg3tcpI3WKD7yKwB~~Lh5XXzljjpC-Ns3Hz0KLwKKp8yBW9hHeDN0k1stFU5GPoZ0c1gEzRG9-N24krmqZ-VaH99nCOiQ~8HHdGAOeCdHOaXPuQPApmC-C4jQuMRIyyagzXMvagKijXcSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Finance Committee voted to undo provisions in the House budget that would have abolished the Human Rights Commission and altered how it operates, restoring funding and adding revised oversight and reporting requirements.

Committee members said the amendment package deletes repeal language, restores a previously removed staff position and IT funding, and adjusts the commission’s membership and reporting expectations. The package, described by the senator speaking to the amendment, \"basically undoes what the house did, puts funding back in place, and then sets some new parameters for the commission.\"

Senator Waters and others expressed concern about audits and lingering implementation issues from decades-old findings and asked for firmer reporting or a follow-up mechanism. In response, a committee sponsor said the amendment establishes a one-year advisory committee under the judicial branch to monitor progress and support the commission so it does not founder and to avoid overly prescriptive micromanagement for sensitive cases. The sponsor said the advisory panel will help track outstanding audit findings.

The committee discussed making the commission chair a licensed attorney to ensure legal familiarity in handling cases. Senator Lang said his oversight committee has started bringing division heads in for follow-up on unresolved audits and would continue monitoring the commission’s response.

Members also clarified that the amendment undoes a repeal of the Housing Appeals Board and keeps it administratively attached to the Board of Tax and Land Appeals (BTLA), and that language will make shared staffing across statutes explicit.

The committee voted to approve the package with the committee amendment; senators said additional oversight and potential follow-up through the Performance Audit and Oversight Committee would continue to monitor outcomes.

The committee instructed staff to include required reporting language and the advisory committee provisions in the bill package and left open further technical adjustments at later steps of the budget process.","The Senate Finance Committee voted to remove language that would have abolished the Human Rights Commission, restore funding for a position and IT, and modify the commission’s makeup and reporting structure; the package places oversight with an advisory committee under the judicial branch for one year.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6219661,"Senate committee approves funding to speed Medicaid long-term care eligibility after nursing-home payment backlog",5273,2734000,8007000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3621361-923b20d3697c739e2f7d79d06b0591ac&start=2734&end=8007","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3621361-923b20d3697c739e2f7d79d06b0591ac/thumbnail_2734000.jpg","/articles/6219661/New-Hampshire/Senate-committee-approves-funding-to-speed-Medicaid-long-term-care-eligibility-after-nursing-home-payment-backlog","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219661-5d23bc00fb6ad34eb884611652559e49/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989217&Signature=EsxjnbFhei3cG3tJ0lPi-HGot8FTsWRglRsBabPIsDUy9nXkVKW70s8V3~LRyOrlaH0ioTqw5ADgVxBRyTcl744jmLFo0KX0OMXow2rXDpkUAkmekcKNSRfetXuSuQyP6VEaViSzjxm67~lbbxPHGa5FGyTvBGGdCOGOSoPT7883jcM9kEZ~uBid8LwTe9nNBnO6H1kB6t3EBKJoy9sAkKZBRKYNCgPmHwe53gFMlFT22umO4m~5KhQL4--2Hl~O3dSldSyS-h9WHJuYTgy7dQN4QqnIppWc3yf9-ay6CqjdfYRWuQ3zCxVKEPAtIfKR92Mp9nhiB5PMDVTEZEIrLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Finance Committee approved funding to expand a call center and hire contract staff intended to speed processing of Medicaid long-term care eligibility, after senators and industry representatives said lengthy application reviews have left nursing homes carrying large unpaid bills.

Lawmakers voted to fund the initiative, roughly $3,852,525, intended to keep experienced eligibility staff focused on complex reviews while the call center handles routine inquiries and contract staff clear application backlogs. The committee chair said the measure is intended to reduce the financial strain on providers and shorten wait times for patients needing long-term care.

The move follows extended committee discussion about current delays. Henry Littmann, state Medicaid director, described the administrative challenge and how the settlement-related changes have shifted large sums into directed payments for providers. \"When a person... signs their application we go back to that date for payment,\" Littmann said, explaining the retroactive date used for approved long-term care applications and why nursing homes need timely determinations.

Brendon Williams, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Healthcare Association, described unpaid receivables at facilities and said the association preferred provisional payments but accepted the fund-for-contract approach as a practical alternative. \"We really appreciate the fact that... members of this committee have been sensitive to the issue of facilities waiting for Medicaid payment,\" Williams said, and urged prompt action to reduce outstanding amounts owed to homes.

Department staff and senators outlined operational detail: the call center already handles routine intake and was originally funded with ARPA; it processes thousands of calls and frees eligibility specialists to complete determinations. Department officials said there are roughly a 20% vacancy rate in the eligibility teams handling long-term care, with about 70 positions cited as vacant and unfunded. Nathan, a DHHS staff member, said training new eligibility staff can take months, and that contracting can be a faster way to add capacity.

Senators pressed for deliverables and tracking. Committee members asked the department for a drawdown or flow chart that shows how directed payments and federal matches move through the settlement mechanics so policymakers can see where money is applied and whether additional general funds are freed.

The committee chair said remaining, related measures (including provider payment directions and contractor details) will be taken up during the next committee meeting; the funding approved at this session was presented as a near-term step to reduce provider financial exposure while the department implements longer-term fixes.

The committee also directed staff to provide data on application-processing times and the expected effect of the contract and call-center expansion so senators can evaluate outcomes in subsequent votes.","The Senate Finance Committee approved roughly $3.85 million to support a call center and contract staff intended to accelerate Medicaid long-term care eligibility reviews after lawmakers heard that nursing homes are carrying large unpaid accounts while applications wait processing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee restores and increases general-fund support for university system above House level

Senate committee moves language to put PFAS settlement money into drinking water fund statute

Senate committee moves capital footnote for buying 1 Granite Place; seller to carry note and OPLC relocation discussed

Senate panel restores Human Rights Commission funding, undoes House repeal language

Senate committee approves funding to speed Medicaid long-term care eligibility after nursing-home payment backlog