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Finance committee advances, retains a slate of bills; votes at a glance
Summary
At its March 17 meeting the House Finance Committee handled executive session business, voting to pass some bills, retain others for the budget omnibus, and to adopt several amendments. Most measures moved either to the regular calendar or were retained for inclusion in HB 2.
CONCORD, N.H. — The House Finance Committee met March 17 for executive session and took final committee action on a large number of bills. Committee members passed several bills unanimously or nearly so, retained a number of bills for inclusion in the biennial budget vehicle (HB 2), and adopted technical amendments on others.
Highlights from the committee's actions include:
- House Bill 67: Amendment 0781h was adopted to remove a $100,000 appropriation and set a repeal date; the committee voted to report HB 67 "ought to pass as amended," unanimous, 25‑0.
- House Bill 111: The committee voted to retain HB 111 (extension of the right to know ombudsman) for possible inclusion in HB 2, 25‑0.
- House Bill 164: Retained for HB 2 (public website for municipal records), 25‑0.
- House Bill 216: Retained for further work because state retirement system cost estimates were not available; 25‑0.
- House Bill 282: Increased the biennial cap on critical injury benefit payouts for first responders (from $500,000 to $1,000,000 per biennium); the committee recommended "ought to pass," unanimous, 25‑0. A committee report was requested.
- House Bill 619: Retained for further work related to solid waste accounting; 25‑0.
- House Bill 650: A dedicated‑funds cleanup bill (annual housekeeping) was recommended "ought to pass," 25‑0.
- House Bill 129 and many others from Division 2: Retained where noted, generally 25‑0.
- House Bill 133 (driver's license and voter registration provisions): The motion to retain passed narrowly, 14‑11; committee members expressed constitutional and privacy concerns during discussion.
- House Bill 165 (increase municipal disaster relief cap from $25,000 to $100,000): The committee recommended "ought to pass," 25‑0.
- House Bill 494 (math learning communities, CCSNH): Committee adopted amendment 973h to remove funding language and reported the bill "ought to pass as amended," 25‑0; staff noted the funding was stripped and the measure can go on consent.
- House Bill 506 (background checks during motions to return firearms and ammunition): The committee recommended "ought to pass," roll call 24‑1; staff flagged a potential, but unestimated, court transcript cost.
- House Bill 612 (temporary driver's license for people turning 21 during DMV closures): The committee recommended "ought to pass," and recorded a fiscal estimate of approximately $48,000 for DMV updates; vote 25‑0.
- House Bill 671 (kindergarten literacy readiness program), HB 677 (epinephrine auto‑injector supply in schools), HB 716 (CCSNH dual/concurrent enrollment appropriation) and others were either retained for HB 2 or recommended to pass as amended, generally by unanimous votes or unanimous consent where noted.
Several retained bills were specifically earmarked for inclusion or further consideration in HB 2, the budget omnibus, and the committee asked sponsors and division chairs to prepare reports when required. The committee also adopted a small number of technical amendments that removed appropriations so bills could be placed on the consent calendar.
Votes at a glance (selected): - HB 67 (amendment 0781h): ought to pass as amended, 25‑0 - HB 111: retained for HB 2, 25‑0 - HB 164: retained for HB 2, 25‑0 - HB 216: retained, 25‑0 - HB 282: ought to pass, 25‑0 (report required) - HB 619: retained, 25‑0 - HB 650: ought to pass, 25‑0 - HB 133: retained, 14‑11 - HB 165: ought to pass, 25‑0 - HB 494 (amendment 973h): ought to pass as amended, 25‑0 (funding removed) - HB 506: ought to pass, 24‑1 - HB 612: ought to pass (approx. $48,000 DMV cost), 25‑0 - HB 671: retained, 25‑0 - HB 677 (amendment 0589h): ought to pass as amended, 25‑0 - HB 716: retained (for HB 2), 25‑0
The committee recessed its divisions for scheduling and asked sponsors to prepare reports and any minority reports where required. Several members noted follow‑up work on fiscal notes and technical procurement language.
