House Finance Committee holds orientation, hears Legislative Budget Assistant briefing on budget timetable and tools

Representative Ken Wyler, chairman of the House Finance Committee, called the committee to order and opened an orientation session that combined member introductions with a detailed briefing from the Legislative Budget Assistant (LBA) on the state budget process and timelines.

The orientation focused on why the budget cycle matters now: statutory deadlines for the governor and legislature, the division of work across three finance divisions, how LBA products (fiscal notes, compare reports and surplus statements) support committee action, and near-term practical details such as expected schedules and staff assignments. Michael Kane, the legislative budget assistant, walked members through key terms, deadlines and sample documents the committee will use as it prepares House Bill 1 (appropriations) and House Bill 2 (trailer statutory changes).

Kane explained the statutory timing the committee must follow: the governor’s operating budget and the trailer bill text are required by RSA 92 to be transmitted by Feb. 15; the House’s last day to act on house bills (crossover) is April 10; and the finance committee aims to report out the budget around April 3 so the full House can consider it. Kane also described how the Office of Legislative Services drafts the statutory language for House Bill 2, typically taking about one to two weeks after the governor’s office provides the text.

The briefing emphasized several practical points for members: (1) The LBA will provide a “compare” report that shows differences between the governor’s proposal and the House version; (2) accounting units, classes and footnotes in House Bill 1 define where and how agencies may spend appropriations; (3) transfers between agencies create “double counting” in gross totals and the LBA publishes both gross and net figures; and (4) the fiscal committee approves certain post-enactment transfers and acceptance of additional federal or other non-general funds.

Kane reviewed recent and near-term fiscal figures that will shape the committee’s work: the state was about $50,000,000 under revenue through December at the time of the orientation; the estimated lapse for fiscal 2024 had been $76,000,000 though agencies reported an actual lapse of $52,000,000; and the LBA’s early estimate for the fiscal 2026–27 lapse was $117,700,000. Kane cautioned that revenue volatility—particularly in business taxes—makes estimates uncertain and that the Ways and Means Committee will provide revenue estimates the committee will rely on when finalizing appropriations.

Members were introduced and told how the committee will operate: the committee is organized into three divisions that will hold hearings and make recommendations to the full committee; division chairs prepare reports and, if a division recommends reporting a bill, the division chair or mover will write and defend the committee report on the House floor; executive sessions will be used to debate and finalize positions after public hearings; and sponsors must sit in the audience when their bill is heard to maintain a fair hearing process.

Kane and other LBA staff laid out the LBA team that will support the committee’s three divisions and explained the primary staff products members should expect: fiscal notes, compare reports, surplus statements, and a detailed change report that explains the rationale behind line-item changes. Kane and members also noted operational details: the LBA will post materials online, House Bill 1 is a large and hard-to-read numeric document, and the trailer bill text will be posted to improve transparency.

The orientation closed with practical scheduling reminders: members were told to check calendars frequently for division hearing times; the committee’s winter break (Feb. 24–28) may be used differently by divisions; and members should notify staff or their partisan office 24 hours in advance if they cannot attend so a replacement can be arranged.

Representative Ken Wyler and Michael Kane provided the session’s substantive direction; the committee did not take formal votes during the orientation. The LBA staff present committed to provide targeted, division-level briefings and to assist with drafting any House Bill 1 or 2 provisions that arise from committee decisions.