State House Room 302
107 North Main Street
Concord, NH 03301
603.271.2111
November 2020
Senate President Thanks Election Officials and Poll Workers
CONCORD - Today, Senate President Donna Soucy issued the following statement regarding the 2020 General Election:
“As polling locations begin to close across the state, it is imperative that we thank the hard working election officials and poll workers who made it possible for Granite Staters to safely and securely cast their ballots in the midst of a pandemic.
Date Posted:
11/3/2020
October 2020
Representative Wallner and Senator D'Allesandro on CAREs Act Funding for Public Schools
CONCORD - Today, $45 million of the CAREs Act Coronavirus Relief Funds were allocated to New Hampshire’s public schools.
House Finance Chair Mary Jane Wallner (D-Concord) and Senate Finance Chair Lou D’Allesandro (D-Manchester), who both serve on the Governor’s Office for Economic Relief and Recovery (GOFERR) Legislative Advisory Board, released the following statement:
Date Posted:
10/15/2020
September 2020
New Hampshire to Increase Rapid Testing at Community Testing Centers
CONCORD - Yesterday, it was announced that New Hampshire will receive a new shipment of Abbott BinaxNOW Rapid-Antigen COVID-19 tests that will allow the state to conduct an additional 25,000 rapid tests per week. The rapid tests will be made available at community testing centers across the state.
Date Posted:
09/29/2020
Senator Rosenwald on Relief for NH Nursing Homes
CONCORD - Yesterday, during Governor Sununu’s press conference, the Governor criticized recent comments from the president/CEO of the New Hampshire Health Care Association claiming that New Hampshire nursing homes funded through Medicaid have been denied financial assistance as they continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Date Posted:
09/25/2020
Senator Rosenwald on Advertising Funded Through CAREs Act
CONCORD - Today, Governor Sununu announced the continuation of the “Don’t Go Viral” advertising campaign, aimed at encouraging young adults and college students to wear a mask. The funding for the campaign has been made available through CAREs Act funding.
Date Posted:
09/24/2020
Senator Watters on the Commission to Study Offshore Wind and Port Development
CONCORD - On Monday, the Commission to Study Offshore Wind and Port Development conducted their first meeting. The commission, formed through the passage of HB 1245 which included text from Senator David Watters’ (D-Dover) bill, SB 668, will investigate the economic development opportunities for New Hampshire in supply chain needs, port capabilities, workforce development, energy procurement, transmission and storage, and fisheries and marine environment, to ensure the success of offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine.
Date Posted:
09/23/2020
Manchester Senators on Education Funding Requests
CONCORD - Yesterday, during Governor Sununu’s press conference, the governor criticized the City of Manchester’s requests for additional education funding following the reallocation of State Adequate Education Aid funding. The motion to apply the $3.5 million in State Adequate Education Aid to the school budget was made by Alderman Kevin Cavanaugh on June 9th and failed in a 7-7 party line vote with Republican aldermen voting against the motion.
Senator Lou D’Allesandro (D-Manchester), Senator Kevin Cavanaugh (D-Manchester), and Senate President Donna Soucy (D-Manchester) issued the following statements in response:
Date Posted:
09/18/2020
House Republicans Continue Partisan Showmanship, Block Coronavirus Response Legislation
CONCORD - Today, House Republicans continued to obstruct legislative efforts to provide relief and recovery to Granite Staters impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, voting on party lines to sustain Governor Sununu’s record breaking number of vetoes.
After the House Session, Senate President Donna Soucy (D-Concord) issued the following statement:
Date Posted:
09/16/2020
Senate Majority Leader Condemns Sununu’s Vetoes
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire House and Senate took up the Governor’s most recent round of vetoes including paid family and medical leave, medical monitoring, state agency requests, and state employee death benefits.
Date Posted:
09/16/2020
Senate Republicans Sustain Sununu’s Criminal Justice Reform Veto
CONCORD - Today, Senate Republicans voted to sustain Governor Sununu’s veto of SB 311, Senator Martha Hennessey’s (D-Hanover) criminal justice reform bill to provide for an annulment of a criminal record without payment of a fee in certain cases and specify a waiting period for the annulment of simple possession drug-related offenses.
Date Posted:
09/16/2020
Senate Republicans Block SMART Act, Halting Election Security Advancements
CONCORD - Today, Senate Republicans voted to sustain Governor Sununu’s veto of SB 7, also known as the SMART Act. The SMART Act would have allowed the DMV to collect information and then securely transfer that information to the election net system, thus streamlining the registration process and ensuring more accurate voter data.
Date Posted:
09/16/2020
Sununu’s Third Net Metering Veto Stands; House Republicans Sustain SB 159 Veto
CONCORD - Today, House Republicans voted to sustain Governor Sununu’s veto of SB 159, the third bipartisan bill in as many years to expand renewable energy capacity in New Hampshire. Prior to the Governor’s veto, the bill passed through the House and Senate with sweeping bipartisan support. The Governor’s veto was overturned by the Senate in a bipartisan vote of 17-7.
Date Posted:
09/16/2020
Sununu Turns His Back on Nashua with Veto of HB 1234
CONCORD - Earlier this summer, Governor Sununu vetoed HB 1234, a nonpartisan omnibus bill relative to state and local government administration. Included in HB 1234 was a provision allowing cities with biennial elections to conduct a vote for accepting operation of sports book retail locations by a city at the state primary election.
Date Posted:
09/15/2020
Sununu Joins Trump, Uses COVID Crisis to Jeopardize Reproductive Health Care
CONCORD - The recently released list of New Hampshire Nonprofit Emergency Relief Fund grantees revealed that Governor Chris Sununu awarded nearly $65,000 to a crisis pregnancy center in Rochester, as reported in The American Independent today. Crisis pregnancy centers provide prenatal advice and care from an anti-abortion perspective, often providing misleading, coercive, and inaccurate information that may delay or interfere with access to abortion and contraceptive services or improperly influence reproductive health decisions, according to the Guttmacher Institute.
Date Posted:
09/14/2020
August 2020
New Hampshire Honors Overdose Awareness Day
CONCORD - Today, New Hampshire honored Overdose Awareness Day through a virtual ceremony. Earlier this year, HB 1135, which contained text from SB 564 proclaiming August 31st Overdose Awareness Day, was signed into law.
Date Posted:
08/31/2020
Senate President Celebrates the Life of Senator Harold Janeway
CONCORD - Today, Senate President Donna Soucy released the following statement in remembrance of her former colleague, Senator Harold Janeway:
“Senator Janeway was a soft-spoken, gentle, and generous man who will be greatly missed by all of us in the Senate - and indeed by all of New Hampshire.
Date Posted:
08/25/2020
New Hampshire Senate Democrats Release 2020 Policy Synopsis
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire Senate Democratic Caucus released their 2020 Session Policy Synopsis. The document outlines legislation put forward by Senate Democrats in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, criminal justice reform, child protection, voting rights, and the promises made and kept through their Granite State Opportunity Plan which they campaigned on in 2018.
Date Posted:
08/20/2020
Governor Sununu Vetoes Reproductive Health Parity Act of 2020
CONCORD - Today, Governor Sununu vetoed HB 685, the Reproductive Health Parity Act of 2020, which would have ensured affordable access to safe, legal abortion by requiring insurance plans that cover maternity benefits to provide coverage for emergency or elective abortion services.
Date Posted:
08/07/2020
Offshore Wind Commission Signed Into Law
CONCORD - Last week, HB 1245, was signed into law. The omnibus legislation consisted of several bills concerning state agencies including SB 668, establishing an offshore wind commission.
Date Posted:
08/05/2020
Extreme Risk Protection Orders Sent to Governor
CONCORD - Today, HB 687, a bill establishing a procedure for issuing extreme risk protection orders to protect against persons who pose an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others, was signed by the Senate President.
Date Posted:
08/03/2020
July 2020
Governor Sununu Vetoes SB 311
CONCORD - Today, Governor Sununu vetoed SB 311, Senator Martha Hennessey’s (D-Hanover) bill to provide for an annulment of a criminal record without payment of a fee in certain cases and specify a waiting period for the annulment of simple possession drug-related offenses.
Date Posted:
07/29/2020
Governor Sununu Vetoes HB 1234
CONCORD – Today, Governor Sununu vetoed HB 1234, an omnibus bill relative to state and local government administration.
Senate President Donna Soucy (D-Manchester) issued the following statement in response:
Date Posted:
07/28/2020
Governor Sununu Vetoes Medicaid Dental Benefits
CONCORD - Today, Governor Sununu vetoed HB 250, a bill establishing a dental benefit under the state Medicaid program.
Senator Cindy Rosenwald (D-Nashua) issued the following statement in response:
Date Posted:
07/28/2020
Senator Morgan on Passage of HB 1582, Veterans Protections
CONCORD - Today, HB 1582, an omnibus bill relative to veterans protections, was signed into law. The bill, championed by Senator Jon Morgan (D-Brentwood), previously passed the Senate in a vote of 23-1 and was concurred by the House 290-36.
Senator Jon Morgan (D-Brentwood) issued the following statement in response:
Date Posted:
07/28/2020
Independent Redistricting Commission Sent to Governor
CONCORD - Today, HB 1665, a bipartisan bill to establish an independent advisory commission on redistricting, was signed by the Senate President.
Senator Shannon Chandley (D-Amherst) issued the following statement in response:
Date Posted:
07/28/2020
Omnibus Transportation Bill Signed Into Law
CONCORD - Today, HB 1182, a bipartisan omnibus transportation bill, was signed into law.
Senate Transportation Chair David Watters (D-Dover) issued the following statement in response:
Date Posted:
07/24/2020
Omnibus Health Care Bill Sent to Governor
CONCORD - Today HB 1639, a bipartisan omnibus health care bill, was delivered to the Secretary of State. It next goes to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature.
Date Posted:
07/24/2020
Senator Rosenwald’s Bill to Provide Medicaid Dental Benefits Sent to Governor
CONCORD - Today HB 250, a bill establishing a dental benefit under the state Medicaid program, was delivered to the Secretary of State. As amended, HB 250 mirrors the language of Senator Cindy Rosenwald’s (D-Nashua) bill, SB 754, which unanimously passed the Senate earlier this session. It next goes to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature.
Date Posted:
07/24/2020
Senator Kahn Urges Governor Sununu to Sign HB 1558, Omnibus Education Bill
CONCORD - Today, HB 1558, an omnibus education bill, was delivered to the Secretary of State. The bill previously passed the Senate on a voice vote and was concurred by the House with bipartisan support in a vote of 201-129. It next goes to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature.
Date Posted:
07/24/2020
Senator Hennessey Urges Governor Sununu to Sign SB 311
CONCORD - Today SB 311, Senator Martha Hennessey’s (D-Hanover) bill to provide for an annulment of a criminal record without payment of a fee in certain cases and specify a waiting period for the annulment of simple possession drug-related offenses, was delivered to the Secretary of State. It next goes to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature.
Date Posted:
07/24/2020
Protective Orders for Vulnerable Adults Sent to Governor
CONCORD - Today, HB 1660, a bill establishing a protective order for vulnerable adults, was sent to the Secretary of State. It next goes to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature.
Senator Shannon Chandley (D-Amherst) issued the following statement in response:
Date Posted:
07/24/2020
Protective Orders for Vulnerable Adults Sent to Governor
CONCORD - Today, HB 1660, a bill establishing a protective order for vulnerable adults, was sent to the Secretary of State. It next goes to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature.
Senator Shannon Chandley (D-Amherst) issued the following statement in response:
Date Posted:
07/24/2020
Governor Sununu Vetoes HB 731, Blocks Raising the Minimum Wage for a Second Time
CONCORD - Today, Governor Sununu vetoed HB 731 which would have reestablished and raised the minimum wage to $10 per hour in 2021 and $12 per hour in 2023. This follows Governor Sununu’s veto of SB 10 in 2019, which would have raised the minimum wage to $10/hour in 2020 and $12/hour in 2022.
Senate President Donna Soucy (D-Manchester) issued the following statement in response:
Date Posted:
07/24/2020
Governor Sununu Vetoes Renewable Energy Legislation
CONCORD - Today, Governor Sununu vetoed SB 124, a bill relative to the minimum electric renewable portfolio standards.
Vice Chair of Senate Energy and Natural Resources and co-sponsor of SB 124, Senate Majority Leader Dan Feltes (D-Concord) issued the following statement in response:
Date Posted:
07/24/2020
Omnibus Bill Honoring Granite Staters Signed Into Law
CONCORD - Today, HB 1135 was signed into law. The bill incorporates several naming bills passed earlier this session to honor Granite Staters, brings recognition to important issues facing our state, and adds Holocaust and genocide studies to the definition of an adequate education.
Date Posted:
07/23/2020
Bipartisan Clean Water Legislation Signed Into Law
CONCORD - Today, HB 1264, a bipartisan clean water bill addressing PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) contamination and drinking water safety as well as extending the Commission on the Seacoast Cancer Cluster Investigation, was signed into law.
Date Posted:
07/23/2020
Senator Morgan Urges Governor to Sign Veterans Protections Legislation
CONCORD - Today, HB 1582, an omnibus bill relative to veterans protections, was signed by the Senate President. The bill, championed by Senator Jon Morgan (D-Brentwood), previously passed the Senate in a vote of 23-1 and was concurred by the House 290-36. It will next be delivered to the Secretary of State before heading to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature.
Date Posted:
07/21/2020
Senator Morgan Urges Governor to Sign Veterans Protections Legislation
CONCORD - Today, HB 1582, an omnibus bill relative to veterans protections, was signed by the Senate President. The bill, championed by Senator Jon Morgan (D-Brentwood), previously passed the Senate in a vote of 23-1 and was concurred by the House 290-36. It will next be delivered to the Secretary of State before heading to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature.
Date Posted:
07/21/2020
Senate President Donna Soucy Urges Governor Sununu to Sign HB 731, Raise the Minimum Wage
CONCORD - Today, HB 731, a bill to reestablish and raise New Hampshire’s minimum wage, was delivered to the Secretary of State. As amended, HB 731 mirrors the language of SB 410, sponsored by Senate President Donna Soucy (D-Manchester), and raises the minimum wage to $10 per hour in 2021 and $12 per hour in 2023. It next goes to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature.
Date Posted:
07/21/2020
HB 1240 Signed Into Law
CONCORD - Today, HB 1240 was signed into law. As amended, HB 1240 incorporates text from HB 1599, creating a special marriage officiant license, and HB 1491 as amended by the Senate, updating licensing and policy and fees.
Senator Martha Hennessey (D-Hanover) and Senator Cindy Rosenwald (D-Nashua) issued the following statements in response:
Date Posted:
07/20/2020
HB 1135, Omnibus Bill Honoring Granite Staters Sent to Governor
CONCORD - Today, HB 1135 was delivered to the Secretary of State. The bill incorporates several naming bills passed earlier this session to honor Granite Staters, brings recognition to important issues facing our state, and adds Holocaust and genocide studies to the definition of an adequate education. It next goes to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature.
Senator David Watters (D-Dover), Senator Jon Morgan (D-Brentwood), and Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene) issued the following statements in response:
Date Posted:
07/17/2020
HB 1264, Bipartisan Clean Water Legislation, Sent to Governor
CONCORD - Today, HB 1264 was delivered to the Secretary of State. HB 1264 is a bipartisan clean water bill addressing PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) contamination and drinking water safety as well as extending the Commission on the Seacoast Cancer Cluster Investigation. It next goes to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature.
Senator Tom Sherman (D-Rye), Senator David Watters (D-Dover), and Senator Shannon Chandley (D-Amherst) issued the following statements in response:
Date Posted:
07/17/2020
Bipartisan Transportation Omnibus Bill Sent to Governor
CONCORD - Today, HB 1182, an omnibus transportation bill that includes the 10-year transportation plan, was delivered to the Secretary of State. It next goes to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature.
Senate Transportation Chair David Watters (D-Dover) issued the following statement in response:
Date Posted:
07/17/2020
Bipartisan Legislation to Ensure Election Accessibility During COVID-19 State of Emergency Signed into Law
CONCORD - Today, HB 1266, a bipartisan package of initiatives to ensure election accessibility during the COVID-19 state of emergency was signed into law. HB 1266 makes temporary modifications to the absentee voter registration, absentee ballot application, and absentee voting processes in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Chair Melanie Levesque (D-Brookline) and Senator Tom Sherman (D-Rye) issued the following statements in response:
Date Posted:
07/17/2020
Senator Fuller Clark Urges Governor Sununu to Sign Renewable Energy Legislation
CONCORD - Today, SB 124, relative to the minimum electric renewable portfolio standards, was delivered to the Secretary of State. It next goes to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature. Senator Martha Fuller Clark (D-Portsmouth) issued the following statement in response:
Date Posted:
07/17/2020
HB 578, Senate Effort to Provide Relief to Long-Term Care Facilities Impacted by COVID-19 Sent to Governor
CONCORD - Today, HB 578, a bill to establish a committee to study the safety of residents and employees in long-term care facilities, clarify cost controls in long-term care, and ensure facilities can be reimbursed from Medicaid for the costs of nurse training, was delivered to the Secretary of State. It next goes to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature. Senator Martha Fuller Clark (D-Portsmouth) issued the following statement in response:
Date Posted:
07/17/2020
Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Telehealth Sent to Governor
CONCORD - Today, HB 1623 was delivered to the Secretary of State. The bipartisan omnibus legislation seeks to ensure coverage and reimbursement for health care services provided through telemedicine on the same basis as services provided in person. It next goes to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature.
Senator Tom Sherman (D-Rye) and Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene) issued the following statements in response:
Date Posted:
07/16/2020
New Hampshire Senate’s Expanded Broadband Legislation Sent to Governor
CONCORD - Today, HB 1111, a bill championed by Senate Democrats to expand broadband access across the state, was delivered to the Secretary of State. It next goes to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature.
Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene) and Senator Jeanne Dietsch (D-Peterborough) issued the following statements in response:
Date Posted:
07/16/2020
HB 1240 Sent to Governor
CONCORD - Today, HB 1240 was delivered to the Secretary of State. As amended, HB 1240 incorporates text from HB 1599 and HB 1491 as amended by the Senate, updating licensing and policy and fees. It next goes to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature.
Date Posted:
07/14/2020
Senate Democrats’ Granite Promise Plan to Provide COVID-19 Relief and Recovery in Long Term Care Facilities Sent to Governor
CONCORD - Today, HB 1246, a portion of the Senate Democrats’ Granite Promise Plan addressing the COVID-19 crisis in New Hampshire’s nursing homes and long-term care facilities, advancing worker recruitment and retention in nursing homes and long-term care, providing funding for the child care scholarship program, and ensuring a future COVID-19 vaccine could be administered was delivered to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature.
Date Posted:
07/13/2020
Renewable Energy Legislation Sent to Governor
CONCORD - Today, SB 166, a critical piece of net metering legislation, was delivered to the Secretary of State. It next goes to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature.
Date Posted:
07/10/2020
Governor Sununu Halts Comprehensive Election Reform
CONCORD - Today, Governor Sununu vetoed comprehensive election reform to secure and modernize New Hampshire’s election systems. The bill, HB 1672, would have brought New Hampshire up to speed with online voter registration which has already been enacted in 41 states, and the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), already implemented in 30 states.
Date Posted:
07/10/2020
Paid Family and Medical Leave Heading to Governor’s Desk
CONCORD - Today, HB 712, a comprehensive, bipartisan paid family and medical leave bill was signed by the Senate President. It will next be delivered to the Secretary of State before heading to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature. HB 712 mirrors language in SB 1, which was vetoed by Governor Chris Sununu in 2019
Date Posted:
07/08/2020
Governor Sununu and Republicans Use Pandemic to Score Political Points
CONCORD, NH - Last week, the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) released their preliminary estimates for revenues under fiscal year 2020, the year the business tax trigger established in the budget agreement approved by House Republicans and Governor Sununu last year. During the pandemic, Governor Sununu and House and Senate Republicans used the trigger to score political points on the backs of our small business owners and even attempted to grind the work of the New Hampshire House of Representatives to a halt.
Date Posted:
07/07/2020
Relief for New Hampshire Homeowners Heading to Governor’s Desk
CONCORD - Today, the first portion of the Granite Promise Plan, HB 1247, was delivered to the Secretary of State. It next goes to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature. HB 1247 creates modest protections for renters under threat of eviction for nonpayment of rent and for homeowners under threat of foreclosure.
Date Posted:
07/06/2020
June 2020
House Sends Child Protection Legislation to Governor’s Desk
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to concur with the Senate recommendation of Ought to Pass as Amended on HB 1162, an omnibus child protection bill, 209-119. HB 1162 will next be enrolled with the Secretary of State’s office and then go to the governor’s desk, at which time he will have five days to act.
Date Posted:
06/30/2020
House Concurs on HB 1135, Honors Granite Staters
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to concur with the Senate recommendation of Ought to Pass as Amended on HB 1135 in a vote of 299-17. The bill incorporates several naming bills passed earlier this session to honor Granite Staters, brings recognition to important issues facing our state, and adds Holocaust and genocide studies to the definition of an adequate education.
Date Posted:
06/30/2020
New Hampshire Senate’s Expanded Broadband Legislation Moves Forward
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to concur with the Senate recommendation of Ought to Pass as Amended on HB 1111, a bill to expand broadband access across the state. HB 1111 unanimously passed the Senate on a voice vote earlier this month; it will next be enrolled with the Secretary of State’s office and then go to the governor’s desk for his action at which time he will have five days to act.
Date Posted:
06/30/2020
Omnibus Health Care Legislation Passes New Hampshire House
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to concur with the Senate recommendation of Ought to Pass as Amended on HB 1639 in a vote of 201-121. HB 1639 will next be enrolled with the Secretary of State’s office and then go to the governor’s desk, at which time he will have five days to act.
Date Posted:
06/30/2020
House Democrats Concur on Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Telehealth
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to concur with the Senate recommendation of Ought to Pass as Amended on HB 1623 in a vote of 204-117. As amended, the omnibus legislation seeks to ensure coverage and reimbursement for health care services provided through telemedicine on the same basis as services provided in person, in office visits.
Date Posted:
06/30/2020
House Concurs on HB 1264, Bipartisan Clean Water Legislation
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to concur with the Senate recommendation of Ought to Pass as Amended on HB 1264 in a vote of 210-116. HB 1264 as amended is a bipartisan clean water bill addressing PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) contamination and drinking water safety as well as extending the Commission on the Seacoast Cancer Cluster Investigation.
Date Posted:
06/30/2020
House Moves Senate’s Comprehensive Election Reform Forward, Sends HB 1672 to Sununu’s Desk
CONCORD - Today, the House concurred with the Senate recommendation of Ought to Pass as Amended on HB 1672, the Coronavirus Election Protection Act of 2020, in a vote of 195-130. As amended, HB 1672 is an omnibus piece of legislation aimed at modernizing New Hampshire’s elections; it will next be enrolled with the Secretary of State’s office and then go to the governor’s desk for his action at which time he will have five days to act.
Date Posted:
06/30/2020
New Hampshire House Supports Election Protections During COVID-19 Pandemic
CONCORD - Today, the House of Representatives voted to concur on HB 1266, in a vote of 221-101. As amended HB 1266 makes temporary modifications to the absentee voter registration, absentee ballot application, and absentee voting processes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. HB 1266 will next be enrolled with the Secretary of State’s office and then go to the governor’s desk for his action at which time he will have five days to act.
Date Posted:
06/30/2020
Veterans Protections Head to the Governor for Signature
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to concur with the Senate recommendation of Ought to Pass as Amended on HB 1582, an omnibus bill relative to veterans protections, in a vote of 290-36. The bill, championed by Senator Jon Morgan (DBrentwood), previously passed the Senate in a vote of 23-1. HB 1582 will next be enrolled with the Secretary of State’s office and then go to the governor’s, at which time he will have five days to act.
Date Posted:
06/30/2020
Senator Kahn Applauds House Approval of Education Omnibus Bill
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to concur with the Senate recommendation of Ought to Pass as Amended on HB 1558, an education omnibus bill, 201-129. HB 1558 will next be enrolled with the Secretary of State’s office and then go to the governor’s desk, at which time he will have five days to act.
Date Posted:
06/30/2020
House Concurs with
Prescription Drug Omnibus
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to concur with the Senate recommendation of Ought to Pass as Amended on HB 1280
in a vote of 225-104. HB 1280 as amended is a comprehensive omnibus bill which increases prescription drug affordability and improves access to
affordable health care for Granite Staters. HB 1280 will next be enrolled with the Secretary of State’s office and then go to the governor’s desk
at which time he will have five days to act.
Date Posted:
06/30/2020
Senate Concurs on SB 311, Creates Pathway for Annulment of
Low Level Criminal Records
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire Senate concurred with a House of Representatives amendment on SB 311, Senator Martha Hennessey’s (D-Hanover)
bill to provide for an annulment of a criminal record without payment of a fee in certain cases and specifies a waiting period for the annulment
of simple possession drug-related offenses. The bill next goes to Governor Sununu for his action.
Date Posted:
06/29/2020
Senate Moves Renewable Energy Forward
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire Senate concurred with the House of Representatives on a series of amendments to renewable energy legislation, SB 122
(energy efficiency), SB 124 (renewable energy), and SB 166 (net metering).
Date Posted:
06/29/2020
Senate Sends Secure Modern Accurate Registration Technology (SMART)
Act to Sununu
CONCORD - Today, the Senate voted to concur with the House recommendation of Ought to Pass with Amendment on SB 7, the Secure Modern Accurate
Registration Technology (“SMART”) Act. If signed into law, the SMART Act would modernize New Hampshire’s election infrastructure and make
registration more accessible to eligible Granite State voters.
Date Posted:
06/29/2020
Senate Passes Amended HB 1240, Moves
Licensing Forward
CONCORD – Today, the Senate passed HB 1240 in a vote of 23-1. As amended, HB 1240 incorporates text from HB 1599, creating a special marriage
officiant license, and HB 1491 as amended by the Senate, updating licensing and policy and fees. The amendment comes following a statement from
the House of Representatives that they will not concur on HB 1491, an omnibus licensing bill previously passed by the Senate on a voice vote.
Date Posted:
06/29/2020
Senator Chandley Leads Charge for Medical Monitoring
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed HB 1375 as amended on a voice vote. HB 1375 establishes the elements of a claim for medical monitoring and the damages
that may be awarded. The bill next goes to the House of Representatives for a concurrence vote.
Date Posted:
06/29/2020
Senate Passes Bipartisan Redistricting Legislation
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed HB 1665, a bipartisan bill to establish an independent advisory commission on redistricting. The measure passed in a 15-9 vote and will next go to Governor Sununu’s desk for
his action.
Date Posted:
06/29/2020
Senate Democrats Move for a Fair Contract for
State Employees
CONCORD - Today, the Senate voted 14-10 to accept the recommendations contained in the
fact-finder reports between the State of New Hampshire and seven collective bargaining units
representing state employees. The reports were previously rejected by Governor Sununu who
refused bring them before the Executive Council for several months. On March 2, the Joint
Committee on Employee Relations voted to send the report to the full House and Senate. The
House of Representatives will take up the report in their session tomorrow, June 30.
Date Posted:
06/29/2020
Senator Chandley Champions Medical Monitoring
CONCORD - Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard and recommended Amendment #1548s to HB 1375, establishing the elements of a claim for
medical monitoring and the damages that may be awarded.
Date Posted:
06/24/2020
Senate Democrats Spearhead Legislative to
Provide Relief to Long-Term Care Facilities Impacted by COVID-19
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed HB 578-FN. The bill combines the work of Senator Jon Morgan (D-Brentwood), Senator Cindy Rosenwald (D-Nashua),
and Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene) in SB 545, SB 715, and SB 570 to establish a committee to study the safety of residents and employees in long-term
care facilities and clarify cost controls in long-term care and ensure facilities can be reimbursed from Medicaid for the costs of nurse training.
Date Posted:
06/16/2020
Bipartisan Bill to Honor
Granite Staters Passed by NH Senate
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed HB 1135, 24-0. The bill incorporates several naming bills passed earlier this session to honor the work of
Granite Staters across sectors and add Holocaust and genocide studies to the definition of an adequate education.
Date Posted:
06/16/2020
Senate
Democrats Pass Granite Promise Plan to Provide COVID-19 Relief and Recovery
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed three legislative packages that make up the Granite Promise Plan, a proposal from Senate
Democrats to provide relief and recovery to Granite Staters impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and increase New Hampshire’s resiliency in
the future. The three pieces of the Granite Promise Plan - HB 1166, HB 1129, and HB 1246 - include provisions for workers protections, annual
meeting and budget provisions for municipalities, school districts, and village districts, and enhancements for child care scholarships and
long term care facilities. HB 1166, HB 1129, and HB 1246 next go to the House of Representatives for a concurrence vote, which requires a
simple majority.
Date Posted:
06/16/2020
New Hampshire Senate Democrats Lead
Bipartisan Effort to Expand Telehealth
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed HB 1623 to expand access to telehealth services in New Hampshire. The omnibus legislation seeks to ensure
coverage and reimbursement for health care services provided through telemedicine on the same basis as services provided in person. HB 1623
next goes to the House of Representatives for a concurrence vote, which requires a simple majority.
Date Posted:
06/16/2020
New Hampshire
Senate Passes Bipartisan Clean Water Legislation
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed HB 1264, a bipartisan clean water bill addressing PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) contamination and
drinking water safety as well as extending the Commission on the Seacoast Cancer Cluster Investigation. HB 1264 next goes to the House of
Representatives for a concurrence vote, which requires a simple majority.
Date Posted:
06/16/2020
Senate Democrats Prioritize Workers, Adopt
Protections in Omnibus Bill
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed HB 1494, a workers’ omnibus bill, in a vote of 14-10. The bill, amended by the Senate Commerce Committee,
covers a variety of workers’ protections including health and safety standards and a state death benefit. HB 1494 next goes to the House of
Representatives for a concurrence vote, which requires a simple majority.
Date Posted:
06/16/2020
Senator Levesque Champions Election Law Reforms to
Ensure Ballot Access During COVID-19 and Beyond
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed HB 1672-FN as amended, the Coronavirus Election Protection Act of 2020, in a vote of 14-10. The bill, passed
earlier this month by the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee, is an omnibus piece of legislation aimed at modernizing
New Hampshire’s elections. HB 1672-FN next goes to the House of Representatives for a concurrence vote, which requires a simple majority.
Date Posted:
06/16/2020
Senate President Soucy’s Minimum
Wage Bill Moves Forward
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed HB 731, 14-10, which would reestablish and raise New Hampshire’s minimum wage. As amended, this bill mirrors
the language of SB 410, sponsored by Senate President Donna Soucy (D-Manchester), and raises the minimum wage to $10 per hour in 2021 and
$12 per hour in 2023. HB 731 next goes to the House of Representative for a concurrence vote, which requires a simple majority.
Date Posted:
06/16/2020
Senate Passes
Reproductive Health Parity Act of 2020
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed HB 685, known as the Reproductive Health Parity Act of 2020, 14-10. The language of the bill mirrors SB 486,
passed by the Senate in March, requires insurance plans which cover maternity benefits to provide coverage for emergency or elective abortion
services. This bill next goes to the House of Representatives for a concurrence vote, which requires a simple majority.
Date Posted:
06/16/2020
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee
Passes Final Portion of Senate Democrats’ Granite Promise Plan
CONCORD - Today, the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee passed Amendment #1352s to HB 1129, the third section of the Senate
Democrats’ Granite Promise Plan. The amendment, sponsored by Senator Jon Morgan (D-Brentwood), creates policy and provides funding for
municipalities in response to COVID-19, allocates $10 million of CAREs Act funding to the bureau of homeless and housing services, and
creates a COVID-19 Housing Recovery Fund through the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority.
Date Posted:
06/11/2020
Senate Majority Leader Feltes
on CAREs Act Allocations
CONCORD - Today, $142 million of federal CAREs Act funding was allocated in a similar manner as proposals laid out in the Senate Democrats’
Granite Promise Proposal in April and this week in legislative hearings. That guidance included recommendations for a housing relief fund,
expanded broadband, and relief for homeless shelters.
Date Posted:
06/11/2020
Senate Democrats Champion
Expanded Broadband
CONCORD - Today, the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee passed Amendment #1339s to HB 1111, moving forward efforts to
expand broadband access across the state. The amendment was sponsored by Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene), Senator Jeanne Dietsch (D-Peterborough),
and Senator Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro).
Date Posted:
06/11/2020
Senator Rosenwald’s
Reproductive Health Parity Act of 2020 Moves Forward
CONCORD - Today, the Senate Commerce Committee passed Amendment #1364s to HB 685, which requires insurance plans which cover maternity
benefits to provide coverage for emergency or elective abortion services. The amendment language is pulled from Senator Rosenwald’s bill,
SB 486, which passed the Senate in March.
Date Posted:
06/11/2020
Senate President Donna Soucy
CONCORD – Today, Senate Republicans voted against pandemic protections for workers, trying to gut a bill dedicated to COVID relief and
recovery to eviscerate a bipartisan budget agreement.
Date Posted:
06/11/2020
Senate Judiciary
Committee Hears Testimony on Omnibus Housing Rights Package
CONCORD - Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Amendment #2020-1363s to HB 1247. The amendment, co-sponsored by Senate
Majority Leader Dan Feltes (D-Concord) and Senate Judiciary Chair Martha Hennessey (D-Hanover) provides protections for homeowners and renters
related to the COVID-19 state of emergency.
Date Posted:
06/9/2020
Senate
President Soucy and Senate Majority Leader Feltes on Granite Promise Plan
CONCORD - Today, New Hampshire Senate Democrats announced a package of legislative
reforms and initiatives to help New Hampshire through the relief and recovery efforts in
response to the coronavirus--the Granite Promise Proposal. The package consists of three
legislative amendments that will be heard this week before the Senate Commerce, Health and
Human Services, and Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committees.
Date Posted:
06/8/2020
Prescription Drug
Amendment Introduced to Senate Commerce Committee
CONCORD - Today, the Senate Commerce Committee heard an amendment to HB 1280-FN. The amendment, co-sponsored by Senator Kevin Cavanaugh
(D-Manchester), Senator Dan Feltes (D-Concord),
Senator Martha Fuller Clark (D-Portsmouth), Senator Cindy Rosenwald (D-Nashua), and Senator Tom Sherman (D-Rye), increases prescription drug
affordability and improves access to affordable
health care for Granite Staters.
Date Posted:
06/5/2020
May 2020
Senate President Celebrates Three Decades of Senator Fuller Clark’s Service
CONCORD, NH—Today, Senate President Donna Soucy responded to the announcement from Senator Martha Fuller Clark (D-Portsmouth) that she will not seek reelection: “Senator Martha Fuller Clark’s
dedication and hard work over nearly thirty years in the state Legislature have made Senate District 21 and the entire state of New Hampshire a better place for all of us to live, work, and play.
Date Posted:
05/28/2020
Senate President and House Speaker on CARES Act Spending
CONCORD - Today, after receiving a spending proposal from the GOFERR Legislative Advisory Board earlier this week, Governor Sununu announced $595 million
in new allocations for a variety of sectors across New Hampshire. Funds are being made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
(CARES) Act. These initiatives follow recommendations made by legislative leadership earlier this week.
Date Posted:
05/15/2020
New Hampshire House and Senate Announce Plans for Early June Sessions
CONCORD, NH—Today the New Hampshire House of Representatives and Senate announced they will be returning for legislative sessions in the beginning of June. Committee and Commission meetings
will continue remotely for the time being. In order to ensure the safety of members, staff, and the public, the Senate will meet in Representatives Hall and the House will meet at the
Whittemore Center at the University of New Hampshire in Durham.
Date Posted:
05/15/2020
NH Senate President Thanks Senator Hennessey for Her Service
CONCORD, NH - Today, Senate President Donna Soucy responded to news that Senator Martha Hennessey (D-Hanover) will not seek reelection:
“Senate District 5 and the entire state of New Hampshire are better off because of Martha Hennessey’s hard work over the last six years.
Date Posted:
05/05/2020
Senate Democrats Praise Use of Federal Funds to Support NH Cities and Towns
Concord, NH - Today, New Hampshire announced that a portion of the $1.25 billion
in federal CARES Act funds will be used to support cities and towns.
After the announcement, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee Chair
Melanie Levesque (D-Brookline) and Vice Chair Tom Sherman (D-Rye) released the following statements:
Date Posted:
05/04/2020
NH Senators Applaud Creation of Frontline Worker Fund
CONCORD, NH - Today, the state of New Hampshire announced the creation of a frontline
worker fund for fire fighters, law enforcement, first responders, and corrections workers.
After the announcement, Senate Majority Leader Dan Feltes, Senate Commerce Chair Kevin Cavanaugh,
and Senate Commerce Vice Chair Jon Morgan released the following statements:
Date Posted:
05/04/2020
April 2020
NH Senate Democrats Release “Granite Promise Proposal” to Outline COVID-19 Recovery
CONCORD, NH—Today, New Hampshire Senate Democrats released their “Granite Promise Proposal” outlining priority distribution of the $1.25
billion grant received from the State-Local Coronavirus Relief Fund. The plan works in tandem with additional federal coronavirus relief
funding allocated in the CARES Act.
Senate President Donna Soucy, Senate Majority Leader Dan Feltes, and Senate Finance Chair Lou D’Allesandro released the following
statements about the proposal:
Date Posted:
04/28/2020
Joint Statement on the Court Ruling
MANCHESTER, NH—Today, Superior Court Judge David Anderson dismissed Mary Jane Wallner et al. v Christopher Sununu for standing.
Representative Mary Jane Wallner, Senator Lou D’Allesandro, Senate President Donna Soucy and Speaker Stephen Shurtleff released
the following statement:
Date Posted:
04/22/2020
March 2020
NH Legislative Activity Suspension Extended Through May 4
CONCORD—Today, New Hampshire Senate President Donna Soucy and Speaker of the House Stephen Shurtleff announced that in conjunction with the Governor’s Emergency Order, the General Court has extended the suspension of all legislative activities through May 4th.
Date Posted:
03/26/2020
Senate Passes SB 572, Clarifying State Sexual Assault Statute
CONCORD - Today, the Senate voted 24-0 in favor of SB 572. The bill, originally presented to the Senate Judiciary Committee by Senator Martha Hennessey (D-Hanover), improves the state’s sexual assault statute and eliminates ambiguity regarding allowable sexual contact between students and school employees, contractors, coaches, and volunteers.
Date Posted:
03/12/2020
Senate Passes SB 436, Enhancing Penalties for Distracted Driving
CONCORD – Today, the Senate passed SB 436 in a vote of 20-4. The bill establishes enhanced charges for those convicted of reckless driving, negligent driving or vehicular assault where the offense is based on facts involving the prohibited use of a mobile electronic device.
Date Posted:
03/12/2020
Senator Rosenwald’s Medicaid Dental Benefit Bill Passes through the Senate
CONCORD - Today, the Senate voted in favor of SB 754, Senator Cindy Rosenwald’s (D-Nashua) bill to establish a dental benefit under the state Medicaid program. Under current statute, New Hampshire Medicaid only covers dental benefits for children and limited emergency coverage for adults. If signed into law, SB 754 would provide comprehensive dental coverage to adults enrolled in the Medicaid program.
Date Posted:
03/12/2020
Senate Passes Comprehensive Paid Family and Medical Leave
CONCORD - Today, the Senate voted in favor of HB 712 in a vote of 14-10. HB 712 creates a comprehensive paid family and medical leave program and was voted ought to pass by the House of Representatives. It mirrors language in SB 1, which was vetoed by Governor Chris Sununu in 2019. HB 712 was recommended ought to pass in a vote of 4-1.
Date Posted:
03/12/2020
Senate Passes Senator Morgan’s Veterans Bill of Rights
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed SB 726 by a vote of 24-0. Referred to as the Veterans Bill of Rights, this bill creates programs designed to aid veterans' access to employment, entrepreneurship, housing, health care, and college degrees. New Hampshire would be the first New England state to adopt a Veterans Bill of Rights.
Date Posted:
03/12/2020
Senate Passes Granite State Ratepayer Protection Act
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed Senate Majority Leader Dan Feltes’ (D-Concord) bill SB 692-FN, also known as the Granite State Ratepayer Protection Act. The bill ensures New Hampshire has the resources to fight regional transmission costs allocated to New Hampshire ratepayers.
Date Posted:
03/12/2020
Senate Passes Cybersecurity Standards for Municipalities
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed SB 694-FN-A on a voice vote. This bill requires the Department of Information Technology to distribute cybersecurity standards information to municipalities and encourage compliance. It also requires municipalities to report any instances of cyber attack to the state. In 2019, at least 113 government agencies were attacked by ransomware, often with economic impacts in the millions of dollars.
Date Posted:
03/12/2020
Senate Passes Online Voter Registration
CONCORD - Today, the Senate voted in favor of SB 631 to authorize online voter registration through an online portal created and managed by the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s Office. Currently, forty-one states have online voter registration. New Hampshire and Maine are the only remaining New England states without online voter registration.
Date Posted:
03/12/2020
New Hampshire Senate Democrats Announce Coronavirus Response Package
CONCORD—Today, Senate Democrats announced a package of legislative reforms and initiatives to help New Hampshire respond to the coronavirus threat. The package comes after a joint Senate committee briefing was held with state agencies and public health organizations on Tuesday, March 10. The Senate Democrats’ coronavirus response package of reforms will be heard as an amendment to Senate Bill 507—introduced by Senator Dan Feltes, Senator Martha Fuller Clark, Representative Doug Ley, and Representative Mary Jane Wallner—on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
Date Posted:
03/12/2020
Senate Passes SB 727, Requiring Holocaust and Genocide Education
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed SB 727-FN-L, 24-0. This bill, introduced by Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene), would make genocide education part of the curriculum in New Hampshire schools. The bill as amended will add four words to New Hampshire’s criteria for an adequate education, “Holocaust and genocide education.” The amended standard in RSA 193-2 would then read, “an adequate education shall provide all students with the opportunity to acquire...Knowledge of civics and government, economics, history, and Holocaust and genocide education to enable students to participate in the democratic process and to make informed choices as responsible citizens.”
Date Posted:
03/12/2020
Senate Passes Insurance Coverage for PFAS and PFC Blood Testing
CONCORD - Today, the Senate voted 24-0 in favor of SB 623-FN which requires insurance coverage for perfluoroalkyls (PFAS) and perfluorinated compound (PFC) blood testing. This legislation builds on the work of two other bills this year that also seek to address New Hampshire’s drinking water and waste water crisis, SB 287-FN and SB 486.
Date Posted:
03/11/2020
NH Senate Passes SB 603, Biomass and Forest Products Workers Assistance Act of 2020
CONCORD - Today, the Senate voted in favor of SB 603, also known as the Biomass and Forest Products Workers Assistance Act of 2020. SB 603 follows Governor Sununu’s vetoes of two bills that sought to protect important Granite State jobs in the biomass industry, resulting in layoffs, the closing of biomass plants in Springfield and Whitefield, and devastating impacts for our forestry industry, the third biggest industry in New Hampshire.
Date Posted:
03/11/2020
New Hampshire Senate Revives Drug Overdose Fatality Review Commission
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed SB 744 on consent, Senate President Donna Soucy’s bill to establish the New Hampshire drug overdose fatality review commission. SB 744 revives a commission originally established by an Executive Order issued by then Governor Maggie Hassan. This bill will assist in the continued fight against the opioid epidemic that has resulted in the deaths of thousands of New Hampshire residents. The commission will review information and data related to drug overdose fatalities in New Hampshire in order to inform comprehensive policy development to fight overdose fatalities.
Date Posted:
03/11/2020
Senate Passes Reproductive Health Parity Act of 2020
CONCORD - Today, the Senate voted 14-10 in favor of SB 486-FN, also known as the Reproductive Health Parity Act of 2020. SB 486-FN expands on insurance plan requirements to cover maternity benefits and fertility care by adding coverage for abortion services. The requirement will apply to state-regulated commercial insurance plans and those on the marketplace.
Date Posted:
03/11/2020
Senate Concurs on Medicaid to Schools, Provides Critical Relief to Local School Districts
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire Senate concurred with a House of Representatives amendment on SB 684-FN, Senator Kahn’s bill to fix the federal reimbursement problem created by emergency rules for the Medicaid to Schools program instituted by Governor Sununu’s administration. SB 684-FN reconnects school district services with federal reimbursement by qualifying school staff through health related professional licensure, removing doubts about future funding.
Date Posted:
03/05/2020
Senate Overrides Veto of SB 159
CONCORD - Today, the Senate voted 17-7 to override Governor Sununu’s veto of SB 159 which, if enacted, would expand net metering. The bill originally passed through the Senate unanimously and through the House with bipartisan support before the governor vetoed it in February.
Date Posted:
03/05/2020
Senate Passes Sustainable LCHIP Funding
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed SB 493-FN-A on a voice vote. SB 493-FN-A increases the register of deeds recording fee from $25 to $35 and comes in response to the increased funding needs of the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP). SB 493-FN-A also clarifies that LCHIP may accept voluntary contributions, gifts, private grants, or other donations to support their work.
Date Posted:
03/05/2020
Senate Passes Telemedicine Expansion
CONCORD - Today, the Senate voted in favor of SB 555 to expand telemedicine and clarify coverage for telehealth and telemedicine services under the Medicaid program and for New Hampshire group health insurers under the telemedicine act. SB 555 requires all group health insurance providers in New Hampshire to provide coverage and reimbursement for health care services provided through telemedicine on the same basis as in person services.
Date Posted:
03/05/2020
Senator Rosenwald Introduces Medicaid Dental Benefit
CONCORD - Yesterday, Senator Cindy Rosenwald (D-Nashua) introduced SB 754-FN to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. If enacted, the bill would provide comprehensive dental coverage to adults enrolled in the Medicaid program. New Hampshire Medicaid currently covers children but has only limited emergency coverage for adults.
Date Posted:
03/04/2020
Senator Dietsch Introduces Property Tax Benefit for Active Duty Military
CONCORD - Today, Senator Jeanne Dietsch (D-Peterborough) introduced SB 516 to the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee. SB 516, if enacted, would establish a standard property tax credit for active duty military personnel, with an option for municipalities to increase it, should they choose.
Date Posted:
03/04/2020
Senate Finance Committee Recommends Comprehensive Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill
CONCORD - Today, two bills were heard by the Senate Finance Committee pertaining to paid leave. The first, HB 712, creates a comprehensive paid family and medical leave program and was voted ought to pass by the House of Representatives. It mirrors language in SB 1, which was vetoed by Governor Chris Sununu in 2019. HB 712 was recommended ought to pass in a vote of 4-1.
Date Posted:
03/03/2020
Senator Kahn Introduces Genocide Prevention Education Requirement
CONCORD - Today, Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene) introduced legislation requiring genocide prevention education be included in social-science graduation requirements. SB 727-FN-L changes the language of current statute to include “Holocaust and genocide education” alongside a knowledge of civics and government, economics, geography, and history under criteria for an adequate education and creates a Commission on Holocaust and Genocide Education to advise the Board of Education in the rule.
Date Posted:
03/03/2020
Senator Rosenwald Introduces Required Lead Testing
CONCORD - Today, Senator Cindy Rosenwald (D-Nashua) introduced legislation requiring testing for lead in water in schools and childcare facilities and a health-based maximum standard. In addition to testing, SB 599 requires parental notification and the development of remediation plans.
Date Posted:
03/03/2020
Senator Sherman Introduces Emissions Reductions Committee
CONCORD - Today, Senator Tom Sherman (D-Rye) introduced SB 590 to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. If enacted, SB 590 will establish a committee to develop science-based emissions reduction goals for the state of New Hampshire.
Date Posted:
03/03/2020
Joint Committee on Employee Relations Accepts Fact Finder’s Reports on State Employee Contracts
CONCORD - Today, the Joint Committee on Employee Relations voted to recommend approval of the recommendations contained in the fact-finder reports between the State of New Hampshire and seven collective bargaining units representing state employees. The report, which examined state employee contracts, has already been rejected by Governor Sununu and approved by the various state employee bargaining units.
Date Posted:
03/02/2020
February 2020
Senator Fuller Clark Introduces Legislation Ending Statute of Limitations on Sexual Assault Cases
CONCORD - Today, Senator Martha Fuller Clark (D-Portsmouth) introduced SB 508 to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill, if enacted, would end the statute of limitations for civil action based on a sexual assault and allow an action at any time. Current state statute dictates when the victim of assault was under the age of 18 at the time of their assault, action must be taken within twelve years of the person’s eighteenth birthday or three years after the time of discovery.
Date Posted:
02/20/2020
Senator Levesque Introduces Online Voter Registration
CONCORD - Today, Senator Melanie Levesque (D-Brookline) introduced SB 631-FN to the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee. If enacted, the bill would authorize online voter registration through an online portal created and managed by the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s Office.
Date Posted:
02/19/2020
Senator Morgan Introduces the Veterans Bill of Rights
CONCORD - Today, Senator Jon Morgan (D-Brentwood) introduced SB 726-FN to the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee. The bill, referred to as the Veterans Bill of Rights, creates programs designed to aid veterans' access to employment, entrepreneurship, housing, health care, and college degrees.
Date Posted:
02/18/2020
Senator Fuller Clark Introduces Sustainable Funding Solution for LCHIP
CONCORD - Today, Senator Martha Fuller Clark (D-Portsmouth) introduced SB 493-FN-A to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The bill increases the register of deeds recording fee from $25 to $35 and comes in response to the increased funding needs of the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP). The language of SB 493-FN-A mirrors that of SB 74 which was vetoed by Governor Sununu in 2019.
Date Posted:
02/18/2020
Senate Rejects Unreliable LCHIP Funding Legislation
CONCORD - Today the Senate rejected SB 617, prime sponsored by Senator Starr, which aimed to expand funding for the land and community heritage investment program (LCHIP), however, its reliance on a voluntary surcharge would not have produced consistent, reliable funding for the program.
Date Posted:
02/13/2020
Senate Votes in Favor of Offshore Wind Commission
CONCORD - Today, the Senate voted in favor of Senator David Watters’ (D-Dover) bill, SB 668-FN, to establish an offshore wind commission and an office of offshore wind industry development in the department of business and economic affairs.
Date Posted:
02/13/2020
Senate Moves Forward with PFAS Limitations and Remediation Funding
CONCORD - Today, the Senate voted in favor of two bills addressing statewide concern over PFAS contamination in public drinking water. The first, SB 287 sponsored by Senator Tom Sherman (D-Rye), sets state PFAS maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) at the same levels recommended by the Department of Environmental Services in 2019. The second, SB 496 sponsored by Senator David Watters (D-Dover) sets up a fund for municipalities to help finance remediation projects in response to PFAS contamination in both drinking water and wastewater treatment.
Date Posted:
02/13/2020
Alternative Education Process Passed by NH Senate
CONCORD - Today, the Senate voted 14-10 in favor of SB 514, Senator Jeanne Dietsch’s (D-Peterborough) bill to establish a process for the approval of vendors offering alternative educational programs which may be accepted for school credit.
Date Posted:
02/13/2020
Senate Passes Tuition Free College for New Hampshire National Guard and Youth in DCYF Care
CONCORD - Today, the Senate voted in favor of SB 421-FN which provides postsecondary educational assistance to members of the New Hampshire National Guard. SB 421, introduced by Senator Lou D’Allesandro (D-Manchester), clarifies previous legislation by removing the provision that enrollment of guard members under the waiver is subject to space availability. The bill was amended on the floor to further expand tuition waivers to students who are under the care of DCYF.
Date Posted:
02/13/2020
New Hampshire Senate Approves Peer Support Program for DHHS
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed SB 634 on consent, which establishes a peer support program in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Prime sponsor Senator Jon Morgan (D-Brentwood) first presented this bill to the Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee at the request of DHHS in response to the growing need for state employees dealing with trauma on a regular basis, particularly caseworkers for the Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), to have a space to debrief in a safe and confidential setting.
Date Posted:
02/13/2020
Senate President Introduces New Hampshire Drug Overdose Fatality Review Commission
CONCORD - Today, Senate President Donna Soucy (D-Manchester) introduced SB 744 which would establish the New Hampshire drug overdose fatality review commission. By reviving a commission established by an Executive Order issued by then Governor Maggie Hassan, this bill will assist in the continued fight against the opioid epidemic that has resulted in the deaths of thousands of New Hampshire residents. The commission will review information and data related to drug overdose fatalities in New Hampshire in order to inform comprehensive policy development to fight overdose fatalities.
Date Posted:
02/12/2020
Governor Sununu Goes Back on His Word, Vetoes Bipartisan Net Metering Legislation
CONCORD - Today, Governor Sununu vetoed bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Republican Senator Jeb Bradley, to expand net metering. This follows his announcement earlier this year that he would support legislation that would increase the state’s cap on net metering. SB 159, sponsored by Senator Bradley would have raised the limit on net metering from 1 to 5 megawatts, significantly expanding the potential for solar energy in New Hampshire. SB 159 was amended in the House to address some of Governor Sununu’s concerns; as amended and adopted, this net metering bill requires 50% of energy produced by the generator to be used on site, resulting in less energy being put back on the grid. Current statute sets that requirement at just 20%.
Date Posted:
02/10/2020
State House Youth Mock Election Results Released, Sanders and Trump Come Out on Top
CONCORD – Today, the results of the New Hampshire State House Visitor Center "Kid Vote” were announced with Senator Bernie Sanders in first on the Democratic Ballot and President Donald Trump in first for the Republicans. Votes were cast by the fourth grade students who visited the State House during January and the first few days of February. They were given the opportunity to choose either a Republican or Democratic Ballot and then pencil in their choice on the secret paper ballot. Four years ago, the fourth graders who voted chose Trump and Sanders as their top candidates as well.
Date Posted:
02/10/2020
SB 255 Signed Into Law
CONCORD - Today, SB 255 relative to dementia training for direct care staff in residential facilities and community-based settings was signed into law.
Date Posted:
02/06/2020
Senator Kahn Introduces JLCAR Resolution, Seeks to Preserve Local Control of School Curriculum
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire Senate accepted the introduction of a resolution from the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (JLCAR) that prohibits the board of education from adopting Ed 1400, also known as Learn Everywhere. The program, created by the Sununu administration, would have allowed the State Board of Education to approve alternative curriculum towards graduation requirements, stripping that power from local school authorities. The resolution, presented to the Senate by Senate Education Committee Chair and JLCAR member Jay Kahn (D-Keene), was adopted in a 15 to 8 vote.
Date Posted:
02/06/2020
Senate Democrats Reject Republican Effort to Put Guns in Schools
CONCORD - Today, the Senate rejected a radical Republican amendment to SB 302 which would have allowed guns in schools. The amendment, presented by Senator Bob Giuda (R-Warren), is the latest in a series of legislation to allow guns in schools and was rejected in a vote of 13-10.
Date Posted:
02/06/2020
Senator Feltes Urges Governor Sununu to Sign SB 159, Bipartisan Net Metering Compromise
CONCORD - Today, SB 159, sponsored by Senator Jeb Bradley, was delivered to Governor Sununu; he now has five business days to sign or veto or it becomes law without his signature. SB 159 would raise the limit on net metering from 1 to 5 megawatts, significantly expanding the potential for solar energy in New Hampshire. SB 159 was amended in the House to require 50% of energy produced by the generator to be used on site, resulting in less energy being put back on the grid. Current statute sets that requirement at just 20%.
0
Date Posted:
02/05/2020
Senator Kahn Introduces Bill aimed at Equity for Telemedicine
CONCORD - Yesterday, Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene) introduced SB 555 to the Senate Commerce Committee. SB 555 continues New Hampshire’s telemedicine expansion and clarifies coverage for telehealth and telemedicine services under the Medicaid program and for New Hampshire group health insurers under the telemedicine act. If enacted, all group health insurance providers in New Hampshire would provide coverage and reimbursement for health care services provided through telemedicine on the same basis as in person services.
0
Date Posted:
02/05/2020
Senate Committee Approves Funding Measure for PFAS Remediation
CONCORD - Today, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 5-0 in support of SB 496-FN with an amendment presented by Senator David Watters (D-Dover) and Senator Chuck Morse (R-Salem). As amended, the bill sets up a fund for municipalities to help finance remediation projects in response to PFAS contamination in both drinking water and wastewater treatment.
0
Date Posted:
02/04/2020
Senator Morgan Introduces the Children’s System of Care in Schools Act of 2020
CONCORD - Today, Senator Jon Morgan (D-Brentwood) introduced SB 665, also known as the Children's System of Care in Schools Act of 2020 to the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee. SB 665 puts support systems in place for school districts who are implementing an evidenced-based prevention framework to support the behavioral health and wellness of all students, called multi-tiered system of supports for behavioral health and wellness, or MTSS-B. These services include technical assistance, professional development, external consulting and coaching, as well as federal and state level funding.
Date Posted:
02/04/2020
January 2020
Senator Cavanaugh Condemns Republicans’ Union Busting Legislation
CONCORD - Today, Senate Republicans presented SB 651 to the Senate Judiciary Committee. If adopted, SB 651 a so-called “Right to Work” bill, would limit the power of unions and deny them the necessary resources to advocate on behalf of their members. Following the hearing the Committee voted 4-1 against the measure.
Date Posted:
01/30/2020
New Hampshire Senate Sends Compromise Net Metering Legislation to Governor Sununu
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire Senate concurred with a House of Representatives report on SB 159 which would raise the limit on net metering from 1 to 5 megawatts, greatly expanding the potential for solar energy in New Hampshire, especially for municipalities. SB 159 was amended in the House to address some of Governor Sununu’s concerns; as amended and adopted, this net metering bill requires 50% of energy produced by the generator to be used on site, resulting in less energy being put back on the grid. Current statute sets that requirement at just 20%.
Date Posted:
01/30/2020
Senate Democrats Lead Effort to Return Approximately $29 Million in Federal Funding to New Hampshire Schools
CONCORD – Today, the Senate voted in favor of SB 684-FN, Senator Kahn’s bill to fix the problem created by emergency rules for the Medicaid to Schools program instituted by Governor Sununu’s administration which severed the connection between federal reimbursement and school district funding for medically necessary services. SB 684-FN reconnects school district services with federal reimbursement by qualifying school staff through health related professional licensure, removing doubts about future funding.
Date Posted:
01/30/2020
Senator Rosenwald Warns of Risks of Trump Administration’s Plan to Institute Medicaid Block Grants
CONCORD - Yesterday, the Trump administration announced their intention to invite states to convert Medicaid into a block grant, a long term conservative priority which gives every state Medicaid director the option of trading in a program that adjusts to match the number of people requiring coverage for a fixed federal payment. The block grants present high risks that could leave financial gaps should there be an economic swing.
Date Posted:
01/30/2020
Senate Adopts SB 223-FN, Saving Small Businesses Money
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire Senate voted 24-0 in favor of SB 223-FN, Senate Jeanne Dietsch’s bill to increase the minimum gross business income required for filing a business profits tax return from $50,000 to $75,000. The bill exempts businesses and the selfemployed earning less than $75,000 annually from paying the business profits tax rate of 7.7%, saving thousands of small businesses and self employed workers the cost of filing a return when 92% of them owe zero tax.
Date Posted:
01/30/2020
Senate Honors Granny D., Votes in Favor of Annual “Granny D Day”
CONCORD - Today, the Senate voted in favor of Senator Melanie Levesque’s bill, SB 527, proclaiming January 24th as “Granny D. Day.” Doris "Granny D." Haddock was a citizen of Dublin, New Hampshire who walked 3,200 miles across the United States between 1999 and 2000 to promote campaign finance reform.
Date Posted:
01/30/2020
Senate Votes in Favor of Climate and Environmental Science Education
CONCORD - Today, the Senate voted 14-10 in favor of SB 583, Senator David Watters’ bill to add climate and environmental science to the criteria for an adequate education. This legislation recognizes that climate and environmental issues are part of the sciences that are already taught, and teachers should include them in their curriculum. This bill will ensure that these subjects are part of the education that teachers are providing for the students and it will be up to the local school board to implement it.
Date Posted:
01/30/2020
Senate Honors Officer Stephen Arkell
CONCORD - Today the Senate voted 24-0 in favor of SB 552, Senator Jon Morgan’s bill to designate the Brentwood section of state route 125 as Officer Stephen Arkell Memorial Highway. Officer Arkell served the Brentwood community as a police officer for 15 years before being killed in the line of duty. Officer Arkell’s family members and colleagues were present to witness the bill’s passage through the Senate.
Date Posted:
01/30/2020
Senate President Donna Soucy Applauds Adoption of SB 410, Raising the Minimum Wage
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire Senate voted 14-10 in favor of SB 410, to reestablish and raise New Hampshire’s minimum wage. SB 410 raises the minimum wage to $10 per hour in 2021 and $12 per hour in 2023 - a similar measure vetoed was by Governor Sununu in 2019. This legislation is increasingly important as New Hampshire continues to fall behind our New England neighbors on wages; on January 1st, 2020, neighboring states Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts all raised their minimum wage yet again. At this time, New Hampshire is the only New England state with a minimum wage below $10 an hour.
Date Posted:
01/30/2020
Senator Kahn’s Bill, SB 647-FN, Would Expand & Clarify Telemedicine Services in NH
CONCORD - Today, Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene) introduced SB 647-FN to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. SB 647-FN expands on the work done last session with the adoption of SB 258, which allowed health care practices providing telemedicine in the way of primary care visits, substance-use treatment, and more, to get reimbursed for those services for both Medicaid patients and through private insurers. Additionally, SB 258 added store and forward for telehealth consultations and diagnosis as well as expanded originating place, particularly in-home monitoring.
Date Posted:
01/28/2020
Committee Votes in Favor of SB 646-FN, Ensuring Fair Billing for Health Care Services
CONCORD - Today, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted 4-0 in favor of Senator Sherman’s bill, SB 646-FN. The bill will require insurers to automatically lower Medicare premium rates when a qualifying individual turns 65. Currently, insurers are not required to send notification of the lowered premium rate resulting in unnecessarily higher outof-pocket costs for the qualifying individual.
Date Posted:
01/28/2020
Committee Approves Senator Kahn’s Medicaid to Schools Plan
CONCORD – Today, the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee voted 5-0 in favor of Senator Kahn’s bill, SB 684-FN, which fixes the problem created by emergency rules for the Medicaid to Schools program instituted by Governor Sununu’s administration which severed the connection between federal reimbursement and school district funding for medically necessary services.
Date Posted:
01/28/2020
Senate Majority Leader Dan Feltes Introduces Granite State Ratepayer Protection Act
CONCORD - Today, Senate Majority Leader Dan Feltes (D-Concord) introduced SB 692-FN, also known as the Granite State Ratepayer Protection Act, to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The bill ensures New Hampshire has the resources to fight regional transmission costs allocated to New Hampshire ratepayers. This bill comes after Governor Sununu’s veto of SB 167 last session which included these resources and would have created a study commission with the potential to reduce costs for New Hampshire ratepayers.
Date Posted:
01/28/2020
Senator Kahn Seeks to Reconnect Federal Reimbursements to School Districts Lost Due to Sununu Administration’s Medicaid to Schools Emergency Rules
CONCORD - Today, Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene) introduced SB 684-FN to the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee. SB 684-FN fixes the problem created by emergency rules instituted by Governor Sununu’s administration which severed the connection between federal reimbursement and school district funding for medically necessary services. School districts continue to provide the students with services but without the federal reimbursement funding they expected in their budgets, leaving a $29 million gap statewide. SB 684-FN reconnects school district services with federal reimbursement by qualifying school staff through health related professional licensure, removing doubts about future funding.
Date Posted:
01/23/2020
Senator Levesque Introduces SB 537, Proclaiming January 24 as Granny D. Day
CONCORD - Yesterday, Senator Melanie Levesque (D-Brookline) introduced SB 537 to the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee proclaiming January 24 as Granny D. Day. Doris “Granny D” Haddock was a political activist and the founder of Open Democracy. In 1999, at the age of 89, she began a 3,200 mile march across the country for campaign finance reform. Haddock passed away in 2010 at age 100.
Date Posted:
01/23/2020
Senator Fuller Clark Introduces SB 618 to Expand Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers
CONCORD - Today, Senator Martha Fuller Clark (D-Portsmouth) presented SB 618 to the Senate Commerce Committee on behalf of the Advisory Council on Pregnancy and Lactation. The bill requires employers, with more than 6 employees, to provide access to a sufficient space for nursing mothers as well as a reasonable break time. Included in the bill is a small tax credit to assist smaller employers in implementing necessary changes.
Date Posted:
01/22/2020
Senator Fuller Clark Continues Work to Expand Reliable LCHIP Funding, Issues Concern About Half Measure
CONCORD - Today, Senator Martha Fuller Clark (D-Portsmouth) expressed her opposition to SB 617, which was heard by the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The bill aims to expand funding for the land and community heritage investment program (LCHIP), however, its reliance on a voluntary surcharge will not produce consistent, reliable funding for the program. Senator Fuller Clark has introduced SB 493 that would provide sustainable increased funding; SB 493 mirrors SB 74 which was vetoed by Governor Sununu in 2019.
Date Posted:
01/22/2020
Committee Hears Bill to Honor Officer Stephen Arkell
CONCORD - Today the Senate Transportation committee voted 4- ought to pass on SB552, designating a portion of state route 125 as Officer Stephen Arkell Memorial Highway. The designation will cover the Brentwood section of route 125 in honor of Officer Arkell, a long serving Brentwood police officer who was killed in the line of duty.
Date Posted:
01/21/2020
Senate Democrats Lead Efforts to Increase State Reimbursements for Municipal PFAS Remediation
CONCORD - Today, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee heard testimony on SB 496-FN, relative to municipal water pollution control. This bill aims to combat the public health and safety risks derived from PFAS contamination found in public drinking water allowing state aid to municipal water systems to achieve compliance with maximum contaminant limits for perfluorinated chemicals.
Date Posted:
01/21/2020
Senator Soucy Introduces 8th Bill to Reestablish & Raise NH’s Minimum Wage SB 410 to Raise NH Minimum Wage
CONCORD - Today, Senate President Donna Soucy introduced SB 410, her eighth attempt to re-establish and raise New Hampshire’s minimum wage. SB 410, which was heard by Senate Commerce today, raises the minimum wage to $10 per hour in 2021 and $12 per hour in 2023 - similar to the provisions of SB 10, a measure vetoed by Governor Sununu in 2019. On New Year’s Day, New Hampshire wages fell even further behind our neighboring states when Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts increased their minimum wages. New Hampshire’s minimum wage is now more than $3 below our surrounding states.
Date Posted:
01/14/2020
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hears New Testimony on SB 287
CONCORD - Today, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee heard testimony on an amendment to SB 287 introduced by prime sponsor Senator Tom Sherman (D-Rye). Following the hearing the committee voted 5-0 ought to pass as amended. The bill will next go before the full Senate for a vote. The bill, as amended, would set state PFAS maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) at the same levels recommended by the Department of Environmental Services in 2019.
Date Posted:
01/14/2020
Duplicate Request for Fiscally Irresponsible Charter School Expansion Grant Denied
CONCORD - Today, the Joint Legislative Fiscal committee voted 7-3 to deny an unprecedented duplicate request for a fiscally irresponsible expansion grant that could have cost New Hampshire taxpayers million jeopardized the health and vitality of current public traditional schools and public charter schools by doubling the number of charter schools and was already denied by the Fiscal Committee last month.
Date Posted:
01/10/2020
Senator Chandley Applauds Bipartisan House Passage of Senate Independent Redistricting Commission Bill
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 224-141 in support of SB 8, which would establish an independent redistricting commission. The independent commission, composed of 15 citizens selected from a pool of candidates who fulfill the qualifications set out in the bill, would be charged with conducting a transparent process that puts the interests of voters ahead of political considerations. As amended, SB 8 mirrors the bipartisan bill language of HB 706, which was vetoed by Governor Sununu in 2019.
Date Posted:
01/08/2020
Senator Sherman Lauds Opportunity to Continue NH’s Work to Strengthen Drinking Water Safety
CONCORD - Today, the New Hampshire Senate voted in favor of public health and environmental protection by reviving SB 287-FN, which would require the commissioner of the Department of Environmental Services to revise rules relative to perfluorinated chemical contamination in drinking water. The bill was rereferred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and will have another hearing on an amendment to set state PFAs and PFOAs maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) at the same level NH DES set in 2019, the implementation of which is now delayed given a pending court case led by PFAs manufacturer 3M.
Date Posted:
01/08/2020
Senate President and Speaker of the House Unveil Dedicated Lactation Pod
CONCORD—Today, Senate President Donna Soucy (D-Manchester) and Speaker of the House Steve Shurtleff (D-Penacook) announced the placement of a dedicated nursing pod in the Legislative Office Building. The wheelchair accessible pod was made in the United States and will be accessible using a free app that provides smart security, autonomous access, and control of lighting of airflow for moms with smart phones. Additional access for those without smartphones is available with an access code provided by State House staff.
Date Posted:
01/02/2020
December 2019
Senator Watters Slams Governor’s Opposition to Cutting Transportation Emissions
CONCORD—Today, Senator David Watters (D-Dover), who serves as Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, reacted to Governor Sununu’s opposition to regional efforts to cut transportation emissions, which are New Hampshire’s largest source of emissions. Senator Watters also released legislation he has filed regarding the Transportation and Climate Initiative, LSR 2777, an act establishing a commission to evaluate the transportation climate initiative framework for a draft memorandum of understanding and associated modeling and scenarios.
Date Posted:
12/18/2019
Senator Kahn Files Legislation to Address Medicaid to Schools Reimbursement Issues
CONCORD—Today, Senator Jay Kahn announced the filing of legislation intended to restore fully the Medicaid to School program. In limbo currently is up to $29 million in federal Medicaid reimbursement to New Hampshire public schools this school year. LSR 2909 enables school districts to continue qualifying for Medicaid reimbursements for medically necessary services provided to Medicaid eligible students by defining a Medicaid compliant public school delivery system.
After the filing, prime sponsor Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene) and co-sponsor Representative Dave Luneau (D-Hopkinton) released the following statements:
Date Posted:
12/05/2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
Seacoast Senators Applaud Budget Funding to Repair State Fishing Pier
Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed HB 3 and HB 4, a compromise on the state budget, which included funding to fix the Portsmouth Commercial Fish Pier on Pierce Island, which failed this summer.
Following the vote, Seacoast Senators Martha Fuller Clark (D-Portsmouth), David Watters (D-Dover), and Tom Sherman (D-Rye) released the following statements:
Date Posted:
9/25/2019
Budget Compromise Announced
CONCORD-Today, Governor Chris Sununu, Senate President Donna Soucy, and Speaker of the House Stephen Shurtleff announced that they have reached a compromise on the state budget. This compromise budget will go before the full House and Senate on Wednesday.
Date Posted:
9/24/2019
August 2019
Senator Kahn Applauds Signing of SB 276, “Career Readiness Drive to 65” Initiative
CONCORD———Today, Senator Kahn’s bill, SB 276, was signed into law. This legislation builds on the 65 by 25 goal to have 65% of New Hampshire’s workforce possessing a post-secondary credential by 2025, a mission embraced by the Community College System of New Hampshire, NH Coalition for Business and Education, and the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs. “Career Readiness Drive to 65” is a systematic and holistic approach through high school years, whereby a career aspiration assessment occurs in 9th grade that facilitates course mapping towards a student’s career ready credential awarded upon high school graduation. The program would extend concurrent enrollment opportunities to 10th through 12th grade students.
Senator Kahn (D-Keene), prime sponsor of SB 276, released the following statement after the signing:
Date Posted:
8/12/2019
SB 258 Signed into Law; Will Expand Telemedicine in New Hampshire
CONCORD———Today, SB 258 was signed into law, which will expand telemedicine in New Hampshire. This bill allows primary care physicians and pediatricians to bill Medicaid and private insurers for telemedicine services, previously only allowed by health care specialists. It also allows billing for in-home patient monitoring, as well as storing and forwarding of information for examinations.
Prime sponsor Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene) and Senate Health and Human Services Chair Dr. Tom Sherman (D-Rye) released the following statements after the signing:
Date Posted:
8/12/2019
Governor Sununu Vetoes Independent Redistricting Commission, NH Senate Reacts
CONCORD——Today, Governor Sununu vetoed HB 706, which would have established an independent redistricting commission in New Hampshire. HB 706 passed the Senate unanimously on May 23 after Republicans and Democrats struck a deal to prevent partisan “gerrymandering.”
Following the veto, voting rights leaders in the Senate released the following statements:
Date Posted:
8/09/2019
NH Senate Condemns Governor Sununu’s Veto of Three Gun Violence Prevention Bills
CONCORD——Today, Governor Sununu vetoed three gun violence prevention bills: HB 109, closing background check loopholes; HB 514, creating a waiting period between the purchase and delivery of a firearm; and HB 564, clarifying statewide gun free schools.
Following the vetoes, Senate President Donna Soucy (D-Manchester) and Senate Judiciary Chair Martha Hennessey (D-Hanover) released the following statements:
Date Posted:
8/09/2019
SB 12 Becomes Law, Establishing NH College Graduate Retention Incentive Partnership
CONCORD——On Saturday, Senator Kahn’s bill, SB 12, became law without the governor’s signature. This law establishes the New Hampshire college graduate retention incentive partnership program (GRIP) and will help to retain two and four-year college graduates in New Hampshire after graduation. New Hampshire employers agree to pay recent NH college graduates a $1,000 incentive, through a bonus or direct payment to a student loan lender, at the end of each year of employment for four years. In exchange, the participating employers will be able to post available positions on the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs’ Live Free website, and marketing of these firms and the website would be done by the NH College and University Council’s 22 member institutions.
After the signing, Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene) released the following statement:
Date Posted:
8/05/2019
Senator Hennessey Applauds Signing of SB 279, to Increase Access to Infertility Treatment and Fertility Care
CONCORD——Today, Senator Hennessey’s bill to increase access to fertility care, SB 279, was signed into law. SB 279 requires insurance carriers in the small and large group insurance markets to cover diagnosis of infertility, access to fertility treatments—including IVF—and preservation of fertility for those who are facing the loss of future fertility due to medical treatments like chemotherapy for treating cancer.
After the signing, prime sponsor Senator Martha Hennessey (D-Hanover) released the following statement:
Date Posted:
8/01/2019
July 2019
Sen. Fuller Clark’s Bill to Bolster School Food and Nutrition Programs Signed into Law
CONCORD——Today, Senator Fuller Clark’s bill, SB 82, was signed into law. This bill will make it possible through state and federal funds to ensure students who are eligible for reduced price school breakfast are offered breakfast at no cost. The Senate passed SB 82 unanimously in March.
Prime sponsor Senator Fuller Clark (D-Portsmouth) released the following statement after the signing:
Date Posted:
7/29/2019
Governor Sununu Vetoes Voting Rights Legislation; Senate Majority Leader Reacts
CONCORD——Today, Governor Sununu vetoed two bills that sought to affirm Granite Staters’ voting rights and undo the damage caused by partisan legislation passed in the last biennium. The first, HB 105 would return consistency to the voter registration process by repealing SB 3, which was passed in 2017. The second, HB 106, would have repealed a change made to the statutory definition of “resident” last session under HB 1264.
Senate Majority Leader Dan Feltes (D-Concord) released the following statement after the vetoes:
Date Posted:
7/29/2019
NH
Senate Applauds Adoption of SB 290, Work Requirement Waiver
Announcement
CONCORD—Today, SB 290 was signed into law, which clarifies and improves New Hampshire’s Granite Advantage Health Care Program work and community engagement requirement to ensure no Granite Stater arbitrarily loses health care coverage. Upon passage, NH Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeff Meyers used his authority to extend the implementation period 120 days and waive the suspension of coverage for individuals, just days before letters would be sent notifying nearly 17,000 Medicaid beneficiaries of lost coverage and in the midst of a glitch in the work requirement online submission form.
Date Posted:
7/08/2019
June 2019
Senate President and Speaker of the House Announce Continuing Resolution
CONCORD—Today, Senate President Donna Soucy (D-Manchester) and Speaker of the House Steve Shurtleff (D-Concord) released the following statement regarding the House and Senate passage of HJR 3, making temporary appropriations for the expenses and encumbrances of the state of New Hampshire.
Date Posted:
6/27/2019
Senator Fuller Clark Disappointed by Governor’s Veto of SB 72
CONCORD—Today, Senator Martha Fuller Clark (D-Portsmouth) issued the following statement in response to Governor Sununu’s veto of SB 72, relative to issuance of renewable energy certificates. The bill would have repealed the requirement that the public utilities commission estimate and give credit for the total yearly production for customer-sited sources that are net metered and for which class I or II renewable energy certificates are not issued.
Date Posted:
6/25/2019
Senator Feltes Reacts to Governor’s Veto of SB 151
CONCORD—Today, Senator Dan Feltes (D-Concord) issued the following statement in response to Governor Sununu’s veto of SB 151, establishing an administrative hearing procedure and penalty for an employer who fails to make payment of wages or who fails to secure workers’ compensation coverage.
Date Posted:
6/25/2019
Senator Feltes Reacts to Governor’s Veto of SB 146
CONCORD—Today, Senator Dan Feltes (D-Concord) issued the following statement in response to Governor Sununu’s veto of SB 146, relative to eliminating the waiting period before eligibility to receive unemployment benefits:
Date Posted:
6/25/2019
Senator Cavanaugh Reacts to Governor’s Veto of SB 20
CONCORD—Today, Governor Sununu vetoed SB 20, relative to notification requirements for employees, workplace inspections, and the youth employment law. The bill would have reduced the amount of hours 16-17 year-olds can work in six consecutive days from 48 hours to 40 hours.
After the veto, prime sponsor Senator Kevin Cavanaugh (D-Manchester) released the following statement:
Date Posted:
6/25/2019
Senate President Soucy Signs SB 6 and
SB 14, Sends Companion Bills to Advance Children's Well-being
to Governor Sununu
CONCORD—Today, Senate President Donna Soucy signed companion
bills that will further New Hampshire's efforts to protect the
safety and well-being of New Hampshire's children. After
receiving SB 14 from the Secretary of State's office late
Friday, the Senate President was joined by advocates today in
her office to sign SB 14 and SB 6 together. Both passed the
Senate unanimously before passing the House of Representatives
and both are funded in the Senate budget.
Date Posted:
6/03/2019
May 2019
Senate Democrats Applaud Decision to Join PFAS Lawsuit
CONCORD—Today the Chairs of the Senate Energy and Health
and Human Services Committees, Senator Martha Fuller Clark and
Senator Tom Sherman respectively, released the following
statement after Governor Chris Sununu announced that New
Hampshire would be entering into lawsuits against the makers of
PFAS chemicals for drinking water contamination in the state.
Both Senate Democrats represent districts on the Seacoast that
have been ground zero in the fight against PFAS contamination
and have previously met with the Mayor and City Manager of
Portsmouth urging them to take legal action similar to the role
they played in the successful MTBE lawsuit.
Date Posted:
5/29/2019
Senator Sherman Applauds SB 11, Mental Health Funding Bill,
Being Signed into Law
CONCORD—Today, Governor Chris Sununu signed into law SB 11-FN,
Senator Tom Sherman's bill to swiftly address the emergency room
boarding crisis in our state. SB 11-FN uses surplus funds to
increase reimbursement rates for Designated Receiving Facilities
(DRF) beds, increase the capacity for DRFs and transitional
housing facilities, and fund an additional mobile crisis team.
Date Posted:
5/21/2019
Anti-Discrimination Protection for Students in Public Schools
Passes NH House
CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted
214-143 in favor of SB 263, relative to anti-discrimination
protection for students in public schools. The bill was
recommended by the Governor’s Advisory Council on Diversity and
Inclusion and would prohibit discrimination based on age, sex,
gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, marital
status, familial status, physical or mental disability,
religion, or national origin at the state level.
Prime
sponsor Senator Tom Sherman (D-Rye) released the following
statement after the vote:
Date Posted:
5/8/2019
NH House Passes SB 174, to Recognize Juneteenth as a State Day
of Reflection
CONCORD—Today the New Hampshire House of Representatives passed
SB 174 on a voice vote. This bill establishes Juneteenth as a
day to reflect upon slavery’s relation to the State of New
Hampshire. SB 174 passed the Senate unanimously in February.
Prime sponsor Senator Melanie Levesque (D-Nashua) released
the following statement after the vote:
Date Posted:
5/8/2019
NH House Approves Senate Bill to Stop Period Poverty in Schools
CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted
211-135 in support of SB 142, requiring menstrual hygiene
products in school restrooms. The legislation requires school
districts to make menstrual hygiene products available at no
cost in all gender neutral bathrooms and bathrooms designated
for females located in public middle and high schools. SB 142
passed the Senate 17-6 in February.
Prime sponsor
Senator Martha Hennessey (D-Hanover) released the following
statement after the vote:
Date Posted:
5/8/2019
NH House Approves Senate Effort to Codify ACA Protections into
State Law
CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted
213-137 in favor of SB 4, relative to the group and individual
health insurance market. This legislation would codify into
state law protections for people with preexisting conditions and
essential health benefits.
After the vote, prime sponsor
Senator Dan Feltes (D-Concord) released the following statement:
Date Posted:
5/8/2019
NH House Adopts Senator Cavanaugh’s Granite State Jobs Act
CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted
216-146 in favor of SB 2-FN, relative to funding for job
training programs in the department of business and economic
affairs.
After the vote, prime sponsor Senator Kevin
Cavanaugh (D-Manchester) released the following statement:
Date Posted:
5/8/2019
NH House Passes SB 290, Improvements to the Granite Advantage
Health Care Program
CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives passed
SB 290-FN, 210150, which would make improvements to the New
Hampshire Granite Advantage Health Care Program, clarifying the
work and community engagement requirement.
Prime sponsor
Senator Cindy Rosenwald (D-Nashua) released the following
statement after the vote:
Date Posted:
5/2/2019
Senator Kahn Applauds House Passage of SB 276, “Career Readiness
Drive to 65”
CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives passed
SB 276. This legislation builds on the 65 by 25 goal to have 65%
of New Hampshire’s workforce possessing a post-secondary
credential by 2025, a mission embraced by the Community College
System of New Hampshire, NH Coalition for Business and
Education, and the NH Department of Business and Economic
Affairs. “Career Readiness Drive to 65” is a systematic and
holistic approach through high school years, whereby a career
aspiration assessment occurs in 9th grade that facilitates
course mapping towards a student’s career ready credential
awarded upon high school graduation. The program would extend
concurrent enrollment opportunities to 10th through 12th grade
students.
Senator Kahn (D-Keene), prime sponsor of SB
276, released the following statement after the vote:
Date Posted:
5/2/2019
NH House Endorses Senate Bill to Bolster School Food and
Nutrition Programs
CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives passed
SB 82 on a voice vote. This bill would make it possible through
state and federal funds to ensure students who are eligible for
reduced price school breakfast are offered breakfast at no cost.
The Senate passed SB 82 unanimously in March.
Prime
sponsor Senator Fuller Clark (D-Portsmouth) released the
following statement after the vote:
Date Posted:
5/2/2019
Senate President Signs HB 455, Sends Death Penalty Repeal to
Governor
CONCORD—Today Senate President Donna Soucy signed HB 455,
relative to the penalty for capital murder. The bill, which
would repeal the death penalty in New Hampshire, now awaits
action from Governor Sununu.
Senator Donna Soucy
(D-Manchester) released the following statement after the
signing:
Date Posted:
5/1/2019
April 2019
NH House Committee Unanimously
Endorses Senate Effort to Fully Fund DCYF
CONCORD—Today, the House Children and Family Law voted
unanimously, 16-0, in support of SB 6-FN-A-L, relative to child
protection staffing and making an appropriation therefor. SB 6
passed the Senate unanimously in February and would address the
current staffing shortage at DCYF to bring caseload levels in
line with the national standard. On Monday, the New Hampshire
Division for Children Youth and Families advisory board voted
unanimously to back the measure, which appropriates funds to
hire an additional 57 caseworkers and 20 supervisory staff over
the next two years.
Date Posted:
4/16/2019
NH Senate Reaffirms Commitment to
Address State Mental Health Crisis
CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed HB 726-FN as
amended, which would establish a secure forensic psychiatric
hospital advisory council and make an appropriation for a new
forensic hospital. Upon passage, the bill was tabled for
consideration during the Senate budget process. Following the
vote, Senate President Donna Soucy (D-Manchester) and Senator
Dr. Tom Sherman (D-Rye) released the following statements:
Date Posted:
4/11/2019
SB 11, Mental Health Funding Bill,
Passes House Committee Unanimously
CONCORD—Today, the House Health, Human Services, and Elderly
Affairs committee voted unanimously,19-0, in favor of SB
11-FN-A, relative to mental health services and making
appropriations therefor. This legislation addresses the
emergency room boarding crisis in our state by funding increased
reimbursement rates for Designated Receiving Facilities (DRF)
beds and increasing the capacity for DRFs and transitional
housing facilities. SB 11 passed the Senate unanimously in
February.
Date Posted:
4/9/2019
SB 14, Children's System of Care, Introduced in House
CONCORD—Today the House Children and Family Law committee held a
hearing on SB 14FN, to establish a statewide children’s mobile
crisis response in alignment with the DCYF Adequacy and
Enhancement Assessment, the federal The Family First Prevention
Services Act, and the 10 Year Mental Health Plan. SB 14 passed
the Senate unanimously in March.
Date Posted:
4/9/2019
March 2019
NH Senate Votes to Speed Up Implementation of the 10-Year Mental Health Plan - Senator Sherman Statement
CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 292-FN. In January 2019, the NH Department of Health and Human Services released a 10-year plan to restore New Hampshire’s mental health system – the third of its kind in the past decade. The development of this most recent 10-year mental health plan involved all stakeholders, in a comprehensive manner, to address the mental health needs of New Hampshire children and adults alike. Unfortunately, the last 10-year mental health plan, enacted in 2008, was never implemented. SB 292 requires the NH Department of Health and Human Services to report its progress; any delays in implementation will require explanation and a plan for remediation.
Date Posted:
3/14/2019
NH Senate Approves Measure to Address Health Care Worker Shortage - Senator Rosenwald Statement
CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire Senate voted to pass SB 308-FN. This bill takes a multitude of steps to address New Hampshire’s critical shortage of health care workers, including: increasing Medicaid rates; making appropriations to establish new positions and programs to develop and enhance the state’s health care workforce; increasing scholarship opportunities for students majoring in a health care field; and developing and enhancing programs offered in health care at New Hampshire’s educational institutions.
Date Posted:
3/14/2019
Effort to Expand Energy Efficiency Opportunities Passes New Hampshire Senate - Senator Fuller Clark Statement
CONCORD, NH—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 74, 16-8. The legislation will increase the additional recording fee assessed at the registries of deeds on four types of documents (mortgages, mortgage discharges, plans, and deeds) to support the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP). The fee would increase by $10, from $25 to $35, and based on the bill’s fiscal note, this fee increase would result in an additional $1,584,808 per year going to LCHIP.
Date Posted:
3/14/2019
Senate Votes in Favor of More Funding for the
Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) - Senator Fuller Clark Statement
CONCORD, NH—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 74, 16-8. The legislation will increase the additional recording fee assessed at the registries of deeds on four types of documents (mortgages, mortgage discharges, plans, and deeds) to support the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP). The fee would increase by $10, from $25 to $35, and based on the bill’s fiscal note, this fee increase would result in an additional $1,584,808 per year going to LCHIP.
Date Posted:
3/14/2019
New Hampshire Senate Passes SB 276-FN, “Career Readiness Drive to 65” - Senator Kahn Statement
CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 276-FN, 24-0. This legislation builds on the 65 by 25 goal to have 65% of New Hampshire’s workforce possessing a postsecondary credential by 2025, a mission embraced by the Community College System of New Hampshire, NH Coalition for Business and Education, and the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs. “Career Readiness Drive to 65” is a systematic and holistic approach through high school years, whereby a career aspiration assessment occurs in 9th grade that facilitates course mapping towards a student’s career ready credential awarded upon high school graduation. The program would extend concurrent enrollment opportunities to 10th through 12th grade students.
Date Posted:
3/7/2019
February 2019
NH College Graduate Retention and Incentive Program (GRIP)
Unanimously Passes Senate - Senator Kahn Statement
CONCORD—Today the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 12, 23-0, which will institute a college graduate retention and incentive program in which New Hampshire employers agree to pay recent NH college graduates a $1,000 incentive at the end of each year of employment for four years. In exchange, participating employers will be able to link their available positions to a state website, and marketing of these firms and the website to New Hampshire college graduates would be done by the NH College and University Council’s twenty-two member institutions.
Date Posted:
2/14/2019
