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Ways and Means executive session: committee ITLs HB530 and HB596, retains HB635, Ought-to-Pass on HB591
Summary
In an executive session following the revenue work session, the committee voted on four bills: ITL on HB596, retain on HB635, ITL on HB530 (real estate transfer money to affordable housing), and OTP on HB591 (Keno hours). Votes were recorded and minority reports were noted where applicable.
The House Ways and Means Committee, in an executive session after its Feb. 11 work session on revenue estimates, acted on four bills:
- HB596 (reporting requirements for entities that collect meals-and-rooms taxes): The committee voted to recommend Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL). Representative Ors moved the ITL motion and Representative Doucette seconded. The clerk recorded the vote as 16–4 in favor of ITL. A member signaled intent to file a minority report in opposition to the ITL recommendation.
- HB635 (tax treatment of nonprofit entities that settle immigrants): The committee voted to retain the bill in committee for further study and potential amendment. Representative O’Leary moved retention; members noted widespread public comment both for and against the measure and asked for additional time to examine the statutory and implementation details. The recorded vote to retain was 11–9.
- HB530 (increase the annual transfer from real-estate transfer tax to the affordable-housing fund from $5 million to $10 million): Representative Murphy moved ITL and Representative Tierney seconded. The motion carried on a roll call, 11–9 in favor of ITL. During debate Representative Murphy highlighted fiscal pressures on the General Fund and Education Trust Fund and referenced testimony from the New Hampshire Home Builders Association arguing that regulatory delays, rather than subsidy dollars, are the primary constraint on new housing.
- HB591 (expand weekend keno hours): Representative Ford moved an Ought to Pass recommendation; Representative Almi seconded. The committee approved the motion; the recorded vote was 16–4 in favor. The lottery estimated an incremental FY impact of roughly 1.5%, or about $865,300 (rounded), from the additional hours across roughly 280 retailers.
Why it matters: These votes decide whether bills will advance to the House floor or remain under committee review. The ITL and retain outcomes halt or delay the measures; the OTP on HB591 sends that measure toward the full House with the committee’s recommendation.
Context and next steps: For HB596 and HB530 the ITL recommendations mean the committee will not report a majority recommendation favoring passage; proponents may still seek a minority report or amendments. HB635’s retention keeps the bill in committee for additional hearings and drafting before any committee report. HB591 will be carried forward as an Ought to Pass recommendation to the legislative calendar; the fiscal estimate prepared by the lottery will be included with the committee report.
