Committee issues mixed recommendations on a slate of bills; several retained for further work

The Executive Departments and Administration committee met to review a batch of Senate messages and House bills and produced a range of procedural recommendations: it recommended nonconcurrence on House Bill 428 (building code) and House Bill 156 (state procurement advisory committee), concurred on House Bill 85 (temporary licensure for student respiratory therapists) and House Bill 82 (regulation of occupations), adopted an amendment and recommended passage on Senate Bill 178 (laboratory water testing fees), retained several bills for further work (including Senate Bill 185 and Senate Bill 182) and voted "inexpedient to legislate" on Senate Bill 198 (New Hampshire service dog week).

Why it matters: The committee’s actions affect how state agencies implement technical rules (building codes and occupational boards), how fees for laboratory services are handled, temporary health-care workforce licensing, and whether several measures advance to the full Legislature or are held for more study.

House bills and committee recommendations

- House Bill 428 (building code): The committee agreed to recommend a nonconcurrence to a committee conference over a retroactive provision that Representative Pearson flagged as potentially unconstitutional. The committee recorded agreement to seek nonconcurrence; no roll-call tally for the recommendation was recorded in the transcript.

- House Bill 156 (advisory committee on state procurement): After discussion about a Senate amendment that would create a permanent subcommittee tied to the president of the Senate’s committee, the committee recommended nonconcurrence, preferring to let proponents return next year if a study is still needed.

- House Bill 85 (temporary licensure for student respiratory therapists): The committee agreed to concur with the Senate amendment, which rewrote the measure with added restrictions and explicit limitations while preserving the bill’s goal of allowing a temporary student license after the first training year. A motion to concur was made and accepted without a recorded roll-call in the transcript.

- House Bill 82 (regulation of various occupations): The Senate amendment inserted explicit permission for the board of electricians to form subcommittees. After discussion that boards already form subcommittees in practice, the committee recommended concurrence; a concurrence motion was seconded and accepted without a recorded roll-call in the transcript.

Senate bills and committee action

- Senate Bill 178 (laboratory water testing): Representative Leon moved an amendment (referred to as 1743h in the transcript) to change the fee deposit language so that fees generally go to the general fund unless exempt and to direct 50% of certain fees into a nonlapsing equipment and replacement fund. The committee adopted the amendment on a roll call that the clerk read as a full-house vote (16 yes). The committee then moved "ought to pass as amended"; the roll call recorded 16 yes votes on passage as amended. The committee placed the bill on the consent calendar for the full House.

- Senate Bill 180 (designation and distressed-area language): The committee adopted an amendment that struck an unenforceable paragraph and added a 20‑year sunset on the distressed designation for Coas County. That amendment passed on roll call (reported roughly 14 to 2 in the transcript) and the committee moved "ought to pass as amended." Representative Sloczek (identified in the transcript as the mover of the amendment) led the discussion.

- Senate Bill 185: The committee voted to retain SB185 to allow the responsible agency more time to develop a policy and process addressing the concerns that prompted the bill. The recorded vote on retention was 16 to retain as reported in the transcript.

- Senate Bill 198 (New Hampshire service dog week): After extended discussion on whether a statutory designation was necessary or whether proponents should seek a gubernatorial proclamation, the committee voted "inexpedient to legislate" (ITL). The transcript records a roll call resulting in the ITL recommendation; a minority report was announced and Representative Long volunteered to write it.

Other procedural items

- Several bills were placed on consent or taken to the calendar as noted above. The committee chair noted that if the Senate further amends any of these measures, the committee may reconvene to consider the changes.

Votes and recorded tallies (as recorded in transcript)

- SB178 (amendment then passage as amended): amendment adopted (recorded 16 yes), "ought to pass as amended" recorded (16 yes). - SB180 (amendment adopting sunset, then "ought to pass as amended"): recorded approximately 14 to 2 in favor of the amendment; final committee recommendation recorded as passed. - SB185: retained (recorded 16 to retain). - SB182: retained (discussed at length; see separate article). - SB198: ITL; roll call recorded and minority report requested (detailed roll-call counts reported in transcript). - HB85 and HB82: concurrence recommended (no roll-call recorded in committee transcript). - HB156 and HB428: nonconcurrence recommended (no roll-call recorded in committee transcript).

Notes on the record: The transcript records multiple roll calls with complete lists of the present representatives for certain measures. Several items were placed on consent after no objections were recorded. For bills that recorded no roll call in the transcript, the committee accepted motions by voice and consensus.