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Finance Committee moves several bills: SB63 retained; SB74, SB241, SB145 advance on voice or unanimous votes
Summary
At the Finance Committee meeting members voted to retain or advance multiple bills: SB63 (retain), SB74 (ought to pass as amended), SB241 (expedite to legislate), SB145 (ought to pass as amended), and others were placed on consent calendars where appropriate.
The House Finance Committee considered multiple bills across divisions and recorded votes on each. Key outcomes from the meeting:
- Senate Bill 63 — Retain: The committee voted to retain Senate Bill 63, which sets funding for the Division of Travel and Tourism. Division Chair Representative Maguire described it as “a very straightforward bill that just sets the funding for the division of travel and tourism.” The motion to retain passed; the clerk reported the tally as 23 yes, 1 no, 1 absent and the committee retained the bill.
- Senate Bill 74 — Ought to pass as amended (Amendment 2282): The committee adopted amendment 2282, which narrowed the reporting requirement for state permitting departments (notably DES and DOT) so they submit summary counts of delayed permits by delay‑band (60, 120, 180+ days) and the main categories of reasons for delay, and delayed the first required report until 2027 to allow prospective data collection. Representative McGuire explained the change reduced the burden of exhaustive reporting. The committee voted to report the bill ought to pass as amended, 24–1.
- Senate Bill 241 — Expedite to legislate: Representative Sweeney described the bill as an ambitious proposal to establish a fund to support construction of a public pier at Hampton Beach. After committee discussion that found limited public support for state involvement in the project, the committee voted 25–0 that it is expedient to legislate on SB241; the bill may be placed on consent.
- Senate Bill 145 — Ought to pass as amended (Amendment 2301H): The committee adopted amendment 2301H to SB145. The underlying bill allows law enforcement to ship certain evidence (for example, crime‑scene kits) to the Concord testing laboratory using common carriers under Department of Safety rules, with a seven‑business‑day delivery expectation. The amendment removed proposed language creating a reimbursement program and an open‑ended appropriation. The committee voted 25–0 to report SB145 ought to pass as amended.
Votes were recorded by roll call for each item and the clerk announced tallies in open session. Where the committee removed appropriations language the chair noted there would be no additional money in the affected bills.
Ending
Committee leadership indicated items without new spending would go on the consent calendar where appropriate. Members were reminded to file majority and minority reports as required before the scheduled deadlines.
