jackie cilley legislative action alert 4-18-2011

8/7/2019 Jackie Cilley Legislative Action Alert 4-18-2011

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Legislative Action AlertWeek of April 18, 2011

Jackie [email protected]

For more years than I can recall, early in our marriage Bruceand I beganplaying games at the outset of our day. Initially we played cribbage faithfullyover breakfast every morning and taught our children to count by playingcard games with them. Lately, we tend to play triple Yahtzee over breakfast probably because it taxes our aging brains less and doesnt require asmuch strategizing as the sun comes up. We still play plenty of cards,especially cribbage, as we did last evening over pizza with our youngest sonand his wife.

Were a competitive family. Whether its darts (yes, I play a bit), horseshoes,

basketball, card or board games, or simply trying to recall somebodys name(something that we seem to be playing more of these days), well turn it intoa competition. Weve taught our children to compete, to lose graciously andto win more graciously.

Our family isnt unique in this. I dare say that competitiveness is a corecharacteristic of our culture and our society. We like winners in our sportsteams, but we love a lively competition (didnt we all breath a collective sighof relief when our beloved Red Sox finally broke their 86 year losingstreak??). We compete in our jobs for better positions. We compete in waysbig and small and some so petty that none of us want to acknowledge it

who brings the most tasty or prettiest dish to a social gathering, who has thecleanest house (Im most decidedly NOT competing on this one), who is thewittiest and on and on.

The one area in which competition seems to be changing is in the politicalarena. We -- both parties -- used to compete on ideas -- who could putforward the most rational plan for solving societys thorny problems. Thegoals, even between the parties, were not so different such a short time ago.There was general agreement on such things as dont leave the elderly on astreet corner with a tin cup in their hand, dont leave individuals with mentalillness, physical or developmental disabilities behind (yes, we did have our

dark period of warehousing these folks, but I thought we learned somethingfrom our sorry mistakes), and educate our children well because they are ourfuture.

This spirit of competitiveness in ideas and solutions seems to be changing inprofound ways, not for the better, these days. Winning appears increasinglyto be the sole objective, regardless of positions on issues. Increasingly, wedont even want to hear one anothers ideas.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Of all of the disturbing things coming out of Concord these days one centraltheme that is most disconcerting is the unwillingness of those who representus to listen to experts and citizens who come to testify on importantlegislation. Increasingly and on a daily basis, I am receiving reports of e-

mails sent by legislators or discussions held with legislators in which theyactually say such things as Save your breath. I already know how Imvoting. Or, they write back to constituents and say that while they maywant to vote differently, they have been told by leadership how to vote.Those in the best position to know, say their facts and figures fall on the deafears of those so ideologically driven that they refuse to allow in anyconflicting information.

What we are seeing is not the marketplace of ideas or competition for soundsolutions. Rather, we are witnessing, as other regions of the world havebefore us, the iron-fisted will of a supermajority to impose a dogmatic

ideology in which divergent views are not welcome.

How do we fight this? Generate ideas. Insist on ideas that are fullyarticulated. Dont walk away from a conversation in which someone wantsto give you a sound bite (i.e., smaller government gives you more freedom).Ask what is meant by smaller government(seriously, is anybody for BIGGERgovernment?). Ask how that will solve infrastructure problems. Ask howthat will address the needs of the elderly, of children in poverty, ofenvironmental issues, of those who cannot obtain healthcare, etc., etc. Havean idea party over glasses of wine and platters of cheese and crackers. Holdan idea flea market at your place to exchange them.

Silly, maybe. A soapbox definitely. I know you came to the Alert to see thelegislation that is coming up, to hear what your legislators are up to and ofcourse, for my witty overview of the just past week and the upcoming week.Thats all below. However, if we dont start a discussion of the two ton gorillain the room we will keep coming back to fight this beast over and over again.We need a larger conversation, folks. We need some vision of what we wantour state to stand for and to look like and to act like. We need a genuineconversation of how to get there (wherever there is). The alternative is tokeep ceding ground to only one rigid approach tied to the rhetoric of lowertaxes, less spending, smaller government, more gun ownership, fend for

yourselfgetting us no closer to solutions that benefit ALL of our citizens.

Thars my rant for the day. Now, on to the business at hand.

What follows is a summary of the activity for the upcoming week in theSenate and in the House, followed by a look at the antics of individuallegislators (this section has been moved to follow a discussion of legislation


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in response to those who asked for legislation to be more prominentlypositioned) and, then, by the calendar listings.

As always, for the full details of House and Senate calendars, please visit the

General Court website at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/. You may alsowant to download the Journals from that same site for each chamber. Inthose you can read the remarks made by legislators during debates onlegislation always good nighttime reading entertainment! Additionally, theJournals contain the roll call votes of each legislator. You will be able to seehow your legislator voted on any bill of importance to you.

All Eyes are Now on the Senate

The Senate is receiving considerable attention these days as some of themost high profile and controversial pieces of legislation are now in that

chamber. The infamous and misleadingly titled Right to Work bill comes tothe floor of the Senate this week, the repeal of the Regional Greenhouse GasInitiative will be heard in committee as will a bill to weaken the provisions ofNew Hampshires recently passed anti-bullying bill and yet another bill to gutcollective bargaining. These are discussed in detail within this section.

As it continues to crank out the House bills that it has worked on inrespective committees, twenty-nine bills will come to the Senate floor for avote on Wednesday, April 20. Two of these bills received an ITL (inexpedientto legislate/kill the bill) recommendation from the committee before whichthey were heard. Otherwise, the Senate is wholly or at least nearly in

agreement with the House as illustrated by the OTP (ought to pass)recommendations and OTPA (ought to pass with amendment)recommendations from committees.

Despite some areas of agreement, the House is reportedly VERY unhappywith their Senate counterparts. On the one hand, tensions between thechambers, regardless of who is in the majority, are not uncommon. Thecurrent interfamilial enmity, however, is rumored to be at historic highs. TheHouse wants THEIR budget bill passed without any changes. The RepublicanLiberty Caucus of NH is pushing hard to get folks to call their Senators andtell them It is important that the Senate not amend the budget and undo

the hard work that was done in the house. The RLCNH is also running radioads to let citizens know how responsible the House budget is check outA New Day of Prosperity is Dawning at http://rlcnh.org/news/rlcnh-begins-radio-campaign-to-support-house-budget/ Hey New Hampshire are you feelingprosperous yet?? The House and the outside interest groups are bound to bring intensepressure on the Senate to keep as many of the provisions in the House
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/http://rlcnh.org/news/rlcnh-begins-radio-campaign-to-support-house-budget/http://rlcnh.org/news/rlcnh-begins-radio-campaign-to-support-house-budget/http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/http://rlcnh.org/news/rlcnh-begins-radio-campaign-to-support-house-budget/http://rlcnh.org/news/rlcnh-begins-radio-campaign-to-support-house-budget/


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budget as they can get. The rest they will come back for in a committee ofconference (a rather dangerous legislative activity that will be fully explainedin an upcoming issue of the Alert). Additionally, there is considerablebackroom wrangling over other high priority bills.

Perhaps the most controversial bill coming to the Senate floor with arecommendation of OTPA (ought to pass with amendment) is HB 474-FN, theperennial Right to Work legislation. Senate Commerce sends this bill tothe floor with a 4-1 recommendation for passage.

Predecessors to HB 474 have been taken up by the NH Legislature numeroustimes prior to this year under both Republican and Democratic majorities. Inevery instance previously, this legislation has been resoundingly defeated.The policy is one that is a high priority of such groups as Cornerstone PolicyResearch and the American Legislative Exchange Council, a group backed bysuch formidable interests as Phillip Morris, Exxon Mobile, Coors Beer and the

Koch (pronounced coke) Industries.

Numerous examples from this legislative session provide ample evidencethat these groups heavily influence our current legislature. In fact, in arecent issue of Cornerstones newsletter, the organization touted that: ThisLegislature has put our money where their mouth was...And weshould thank them for it! [Emphasis Cornerstones.]

Opposing the Right to Work Act were organized labor groups as well as theCommissioner of Labor and the Commissioner of the Department ofResources and Economic Development. Each of the Commissioners testified

that in their extensive experience with established businesses andbusinesses considering relocating to New Hampshire that Right to Work wasnot a factor in job creation. Facts arent something allowed to get in the wayof a good argument. Advocates claim jobs will be created, so it must be so.

The volume of misinformation surrounding HB 474 has frustrated those inopposition. Although advocates claim that it is a worker freedom,suggesting that workers are now forced to join unions against their will,current law already protects employees from such practices. Further,current law prohibits union dues (as distinct from agency fees) from beingextracted against an employees will from his/her paycheck.

If an employee works in a unionized company or agency, s/he does pay anagency fee. This fee covers expenses incurred by a union in negotiatingbenefits for that employee. Under current law any benefits, includingincreased wages, enhanced healthcare benefits and the like, must beextended to non-union workers as well. The agency fee, then, is designed tocover the negotiation work that the union does on behalf of all workers. Thismoney cannot be used for political activities.


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It is unclear at this time whether there are sufficient votes to pass HB 474. Ifit does pass, it almost certainly faces a gubernatorial veto. Should thathappen it does not appear currently that there would be the two-thirdsnecessary, at least in the House, to override the veto. The bill passed the

House 221 131, falling just short of a veto-proof majority.

Although the bulk of the attention will be on the public hearing for thebudget and a number of presentations by state agencies (see details below)before the Senate Finance Committee, some twenty-seven bills will be heardbefore other committees of the Senate in the week ahead. Three of thehighest profile matters in the upcoming week include the repeal of theRegional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the dismantlement of collectivebargaining and the rollback of provisions in New Hampshires anti-bullyinglaw.

Driven by pure ideology, HB 519-FN will repeal New Hampshires regionalgreenhouse gas initiative cap and trade program for controlling carbondioxide emissions. In the hearings in the House dozens of opponents turnedout to testify that the repeal of this program would harm New Hampshire inmyriad ways including costing approximately $26 million in grants toresidents and small businesses for energy efficiency projects, job creationaround new technologies and energy efficiency and increased air pollution.There was also ample testimony that New Hampshires electric ratepayerswould not see a substantive decrease in their electric rates due to the factthat New Hampshire participates in a ten-state grid on which rates arebased. Thus, ratepayers would continue paying the costs of the program in

which nine other states participate but would not be able to participate in theupside from the sale of RGGI allowances.

Those testifying in favor of repeal were the typical climate change denierswith all of the stock talking points put out by the American LegislativeExchange Council. In fact, the sponsors of the bill were so intellectually lazythat they adopted a canned bill from ALEC, changing only the name of thestate. After this came to light during the public hearing, the bill had to beredrafted to conform to New Hampshires legal standards.

Supporters of the bill were in the clear minority of those testifying. Despite

the public plea to retain the program and re-work areas that might make theprogram more equitable, the House voted for passage. Those opposingrepeal of RGGI will now make their case to the Senate. Rumor is currentlycirculating that, although the Senate is likely to keep the program in place at least in name changes being contemplated will lead to RGGI beingutterly ineffective. HB 519-FN will be heard before Senate Energy andNatural Resources on Thursday, April 21 at 9 a.m. in Rm. 201-203,LOB (Legislative Office Building).


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otherwise not prohibited to carry a firearm openly or concealed, loaded orunloaded, on or about his or her person or upon or in a vehicle . It alsoremoves, under certain circumstances, the requirement that nonresidentsobtain a license to possess a firearm while in New Hampshire. Ironically, itdoes prohibit the carrying of a firearm while hunting during hunting season

unless the bearer also holds a hunting permit. HB 330 will be heardbefore the Senate Judiciary on Wednesday, April 20 at 1:15 in Rm.100, SH (Statehouse).

The Senate Finance Committee will hold a public hearing on thebudget bills on Thursday, April 21 from 2 4 p.m. and from 6 8p.m. The schedule for each department is contained in the calendar listbelow. Senate Finance meets in Rm. 103, SH (Statehouse)

In Their Own Words

While most of the comments received on this section are positive andreceptive, some readers have indicated that it is extraneous to thediscussion of upcoming legislation or to understanding legislation and/or theprocess. Others merely see it as humorous and I certainly dont do anythingto discourage that. Clearly it is my opportunity to poke a bit of fun in anotherwise deadly serious game of Chicken with the future of our state.

There is, though, a far more important side to profiling the words and actionsof our legislators. These are the people who claim to represent you.These are the stewards of our state at the moment. These are the peoplewho are crafting the laws that will affect our family, friends and neighbors for

years to come. Their words and actions are the most concrete evidence ofhow and how well they represent you, whether they are credible, thoughtfulstewards of our future and what their underlying motivation is for the lawsthat they are passing. To my mind, this information is every bit as importantas the legislation itself. I hope that you agree.

I would encourage you to have conversations with co-workers, neighbors,and friends about the words and actions of those who represent you. Someare satisfied with that representation. Many more are appalled. Too manyhave no idea who they voted into office and they should be made aware.You can have an impact in these conversations and you can help to educate

those around you.

A few priceless clips from the past week include the following:

In response to a constituents questions about why he did not read thebudget bill he voted on, Rep. John Sytek, r, Salem explained: HB 2,which among many other provisions includes changes in collectivebargaining and pension benefits, is 146 pages long, not 16 as you


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state. The House budget runs over 900 pages. We received both theweekend before the vote. These important bills were in addition to ournormal committee work, of course.I never said that I didnt feel likereading these bills. In fact, while I did not read them in their entirety(something I did say), I did review key aspects regarding collective

bargaining and retirement. So whats a page or two or ten or900 or so between friends?? Were only talking about whatwill become law in New Hampshire so Im sure that our citizenscan understand that reading it all just isnt necessary NOT.

In a moment of rare complete candor one State Representative BobElliott, r, Salem, explained why he voted for HB 2 despite dislikingthe bill. Last November, the people threw those tax and spend peopleOUT, and elected 153 brand new ,first time , ULTRA Conservative repswho promised to change things and they meant it. I tried to warn myconstituents there were some horrific changes coming, but few couldimagine how drastic those changes would be. That's what I meant

when I said "There's a new sheriff in town", ( Speaker O'brien)( andhe's very determined to undo everything the Democrats did. I kid younot. P.S. The Majority leader ( DJ) had a meeting this morning andmade PERFECTLY clear how we were to vote on HB2. 153 new reps willagree with him. The bill will pass by a HUGH majority, which is whatthey think the people want. Youd think that a job that paid only$100 per year ought to at least allow for having some integrityto serve the folks who elected you!

The Found, The Partially Found and The Pretty Much Missing

Last weeks Alert contained a new section of profiling those who wereelected but who have failed to show up in Concord or whose attendancerecord is dismal. Adding to that here weve uncovered some interestinginformation.

Found Rep. Ronald Belanger, r, Salem, NH but not at theStatehouse. Despite being duly elected by the citizens of Rockingham,District 4, Rep. Belanger has not been present for a single votethat we can find. Despite that, he enjoys the privileges of legislativelicense plates (reportedly on his Ford Taurus and his Ford Mustang).Rep. Belanger was stopped recently for Failure to Use Turn Signal,

was rumored to be discourteous to the officer at the time, and filed acomplaint about the violation. He has been observed running a foodtruck at the Salem Flea Market on weekends. There may be plenty ofvalid reasons for not being able to serve once elected, but if it is notpossible to do so, then one should step down and allow the citizens ofhis district to be represented by someone who can fulfill the duties ofoffice. Oddly, the House Commerce and Consumer AffairsCommittee, on which Rep. Belanger sits has designated a chair


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for him that they will not allow anyone else to occupy. Couldsomeone in Rockingham, District 4 suggest to Rep. Belangerthat it isnt nice to use the perks of office and the check thetaxpayers paid for representation if theyre not going toreceive the benefit of that.

Partially Found Rep. Karen Hutchinson, r, Londonderry was nonetoo happy when a constituent both challenged her attendance record(shes missed 89 roll call votes thus far this year) and her voting recordwhen she did manage to make it to Concord. He suggested that shemight want to consider resigning. She fired back this response: Myvote does not represent everyone's views, so for many, I am sure I amnot their 'representative'.I am not resigning if for no other reasonthan because you suggested it. Give me your list of accomplishments,daily schedule and responsibilities so I will have an opportunity tocreteque that. We are a volunteer legislature. I am on the Education

committee which often meets twice a week, and I believe that we aremore effective killing legislation in committee that we are effective onthe floor of the House. We can decide not to like each other. That'sok. Could someone point out the esteemed EducationCommittee member that creteque should be spelledcritique? Hey, we all make mistakes.

Maybe Found Rep. Thomas Beattie, r, Manchester hadnt shown upall session until March 30 on which he cast nine votes. He wentmissing again on March 31, the day that the budget was voted upon.

On April 13 he resurfaced again. Perhaps someone showed himthe way to the Statehouse? Welcome aboard Rep. Beattie.

Gone Missing Again - After having been reported as missing in actionby the Union Leader, Rep. Sean Coughlin, r, Amherst finally showed upon February 23, but missed the first 5 roll call votes of the day. Hewent missing again on March 2, March 16, March 17 and for the firstsix votes of March 30. Hes missing again nowhere to be found onMarch 31 and April 13.

Still Missing - Rep. Timothy Hogan, r, Nashua was also reported bythe UL as not having attended a session day this term. He didnt casta roll call vote, nor was he excused, but he did surface on March 15.Alas, he was gone again on March 30 and March 31. He was stillmissing on April 13.


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Surfaces Occasionally Rep. Marie Sapienza seems to have difficultywith consistency. She started off reasonably well in showing up onFebruary 9, 15 (for a while) and 16, missed a session day and returnedfor March 2, then went missing for the boatload of important billsincluding the budget and resurfaced on April 13.

Odd Absence Rep. Thomas Keane, r, Bow, NH generally has anadmirable attendance record. Rep. Keane sits on the House FinanceCommittee, Division III. That Division has the distinction of havingincluded the most noxious provisions of the budget that ended updrawing 5,000 protestors to the Statehouse lawn. Interestingly afterhaving helped to craft that controversial bill and after exhorting hisfinance colleagues to vote for the budget, Rep. Keane did cast onevote on either March 30 or March 31 on HB 1 or HB 2.

If one of the above individuals was elected to serve your district you maywish to call to your neighbors attention that s/he doesnt appear to be doinghis/her job.

In Case You Missed It

Sponsored by the New Hampshire Chapter of American for [Billionaires]Prosperity, the Koch-funded special interest front group and local tea partygroups, a rally was held on the Statehouse plaza to protest tax day onFriday, April 15. Everything that could be done to entice folks to come outwas done. Not one, not two, but four prospective presidential candidates,including Rick Santorum, Tim Pawlenty, Herman Cain and Buddy Roemer,were expected to be huge draws for the crowds. Local dignitaries such asNH Senator Kelly Ayotte, Ovide Lamontagne, gubernatorial wannabe JohnStephen and our very own NH Speaker Bill OBrien were added inspirationsfor attendance. AFP pushed robo calls and e-mails trying to drum upattendance in the days leading up to the event.

All of that work and the best objective estimate of the gathering was 400(that from WMUR who has never been accused of leaning left). Most credible

sources put the number between 200 and 300. Once again, some folksnever let facts get in the way of a good story. Corey Lewandowski, youthfuland exuberant Executive Director of AFP, has learned early the art ofnumerical manipulation. Throughout the day he kept ratcheting up hisrendition of the numbers, later in the day he thanked the 1,500 folks whocame to make this the larget Taxpayer Tea Party Rall[y] in New Hampshirehistory,and by evening he was telling Fox Noise Greta Van Susteren that2,000 attended the event.


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Even House Majority Leader DJ Bettencourt couldnt stop himself from sayingout loud and near others that attendance was awful.

New Hampshire was not unique in its tepid response to the rallying cry to

protest tax day. The inimitable Sarah Palin could only draw an estimated6,000 in Wisconsin to celebrate Governor Scott Walkers destruction of themiddle class. Even the 6,000 was said to include those who came to protesther visit to the state.

Might it be that now that average citizens have a better grasp ofboth the consequences of the no-government cabals ideology aswell as their tactics, voters are feeling buyers remorse?

HOUSE COMMITTEE MEETINGS

MONDAY, APRIL 18

COMMISSION ON PRIMARY CARE WORKFORCE ISSUES (RSA 126-T:1), Room 305,LOB

10:00 a.m. Organizational meeting.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PENSIONS REFORM, Rooms 306-308,LOB

11:00 a.m. Full committee work session on SB 3-FN-A-L, making comprehensive

changes to the state retirement system, SB 75-FN, relative to clarification ofpart-time service in the state retirement system.

TUESDAY, APRIL 19

COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS (BANKING/BUSINESS DIVISION), Room 302,LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 160-FN, relative to the definition and regulation of installment loans.10:45 a.m. SB 54, relative to the definition of declarant under the condominium act and

the duties of the committee to study laws relating to condominium andhomeowners associations.

2:00 p.m. SB 50, making various changes to laws regulating trusts and trust companies.

2:45 p.m. SB 156-FN-L, authorizing retail vehicle dealers to act as agents of thedivision of motor vehicles for vehicle registrations and title applications.Work sessions on these bills may follow the public hearings.

CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW AND STATUTORY RECODIFICATION, Room 206, LOB

10:00 a.m. Full committee work session. The Secretary of State will give a presentationon recodification.


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EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 306, LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 92, establishing an economic strategic commission to review therelationship between business and government.

10:45 a.m. SB 166, relative to medical benefits for beneficiaries of a police officer orfirefighter killed in the line of duty.11:30 a.m. SB 170, relative to the New Hampshire Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting

Association.1:00 p.m. HJR 4, prohibiting the implementation of certain rules of the board of

medicine.Executive session may follow.

1:15 p.m. Executive session on SB 33-FN, relative to retired state employeecontributions for medical benefits costs, SB 40, making technical correctionsto meals and rooms tax laws, SB 68, relative to records of disciplinary actionstaken by the electricians' board, SB 76-FN, relative to the authority of thedepartment of revenue administration to adopt rules and to administer statetax laws, SB 81-FN, relative to powers and duties of commissioners ofexecutive branch agencies, and relative to the extension of the expired termof a commissioner or agency head, SB 92, establishing an economic strategiccommission to review the relationship between business and government, SB152-FN, relative to participation in state employees' group insurance bymembers of the general court, SB 153-FN, relative to the regulation of realestate appraisers by the New Hampshire real estate appraiser board, SB 157-FN, relative to the division of weights and measures and fees for licensingweighing devices and the definition of service technician, SB 161-FN, relativeto procedures for adoption of agency rules under the administrativeprocedures act, SB 166, relative to medical benefits for beneficiaries of apolice officer or firefighter killed in the line of duty, SB 170, relative to theNew Hampshire Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association, SB 173,proclaiming January 24, 2012 as Granny D. Day.

HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 205, LOB

10:30 a.m. Subcommittee work session on SB 151-FN, relative to contracts of thedepartment of health and human services.

JUDICIARY, Room 208, LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 176, relative to marriage licenses.10:30 a.m. SB 63, relative to the list of bail bondsmen and prohibiting law enforcement

and corrections officers from indicating preferences for bail bond companies.Executive session may follow.

MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Room 301, LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 104, relative to certain agricultural operations and certain bonds forexcavation and driveways.

11:00 a.m. SB 2, relative to adoption of spending caps by municipalities.Executive session may follow.


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RESOURCES, RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Room 305, LOB

10:15 a.m. Subcommittee work session on SB 154-FN, reforming and renaming thecomprehensive shoreland protection act.

TRANSPORTATION, Rooms 201-203, LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 27, relative to speed limitations for boats.Executive session may follow.

2:00 p.m. Executive session on SB 98, revising the international registration plan, SB99, relative to trailer brakes.

WAYS AND MEANS, Room 202, LOB

9:30 a.m. Agency revenue updates.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION FUNDING REFORM, Room 210-211, LOB

10:00 a.m. Full committee work session on SB 183-FN-L, amending the calculation anddistribution of adequate education grants, repealing fiscal capacity disparityaid, and providing stabilization grants to certain municipalities.

THURSDAY, APRIL 21

COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Room 302, LOB

10:00 a.m. Banking/Business Division subcommittee work session on SB 28, establishingan exemption from the licensing requirements for nondepository firstmortgage bankers and brokers for persons providing loans for certain seller-financed transactions, SB 57, relative to regulation of title loan lenders, SB62, relative to persons participating in the return to work program, SB 116,relative to the manufactured housing installation standards board.

Room 304, LOB

10:00 a.m. Insurance/Consumer subcommittee work session on SB 148-FN, relative tohealth insurance coverage and declaring that the attorney general should jointhe lawsuit challenging the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, SB162-FN, relative to federal health care reform 2010, SB 122, establishing a

committee to study the laws relating to electronic prescriptions, SB 89,establishing a study committee on the procurement of health insurance byemployee leasing companies.

Room 302, LOB

1:15 p.m. Executive session on SB 50, making various changes to laws regulating trustsand trust companies, SB 54, relative to the definition of declarant under thecondominium act and the duties of the committee to study laws relating to


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condominium and homeowners associations, SB 148-FN, relative to healthinsurance coverage and declaring that the attorney general should join thelawsuit challenging the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, SB 156-FN-L, authorizing retail vehicle dealers to act as agents of the division ofmotor vehicles for vehicle registrations and title applications, SB 160-FN,relative to the definition and regulation of installment loans, SB 28,

establishing an exemption from the licensing requirements for nondepositoryfirst mortgage bankers and brokers for persons providing loans for certainseller-financed transactions, SB 57, relative to regulation of title loan lenders,SB 62, relative to persons participating in the return to work program, SB116, relative to the manufactured housing installation standards board, SB162-FN, relative to federal health care reform 2010, SB 122, establishing acommittee to study the laws relating to electronic prescriptions, SB 89,establishing a study committee on the procurement of health insurance byemployee leasing companies.

COMMISSION TO STUDY REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFE AND SECURE LANDFILLS (HB672, Chapter 252:1, Laws of 2007), Room 304, LOB

2:00 p.m. Regular meeting.

EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 90, directing the legislative oversight committee to study theconsolidation of school administrative units.

10:15 a.m. Public hearing on proposed amendment to SB 90, directing the legislativeoversight committee to study the consolidation of school administrative units.

The proposed amendment (No. 1418h) suspends the 180 day schoolattendance requirement for the 2010-2011 school year only. Copies of theproposed amendment are available from the Sergeant-at-Arms office.

10:30 a.m. SB 194, transferring all real and personal property from the formerdepartment of regional community-technical colleges to the board of trusteesof the community college system of New Hampshire.

11:00 a.m. SB 172, relative to performance-based school accountability criteria.1:30 p.m. SB 67, establishing a committee to study school vouchers and school choice.

Executive session may follow.

MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Room 301, LOB

10:00 a.m. Executive session on SB 104, relative to certain agricultural operations andcertain bonds for excavation and driveways, SB 2, relative to adoption ofspending caps by municipalities.


10:00 a.m. Full committee work session on SB 3-FN-A-L, making comprehensivechanges to the state retirement system, SB 75-FN, relative to clarification ofpart-time service in the state retirement system.


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10:00 a.m. Continued public hearing on SB 53-FN, relative to the definition of nursingand establishing a nursing assistant registry fund administered by the boardof nursing.Executive session may follow.

12:30 p.m. Executive session on SB 42, relative to the declaration of consideration forpurposes of the real estate transfer tax, SB 56-FN, authorizing thedepartment of revenue administration to accept credit card and debit cardpayments of taxes, SB 130-FN-A, repealing the tax on gambling winnings,SB 147-FN, relative to Medicaid managed care, SB 58-FN-A, addingqualified community development entities to the definition of "qualifiedinvestment company" under the business profits tax and the businessenterprise tax.

FRIDAY, APRIL 22

ASSESSING STANDARDS BOARD (RSA 21-J:14-a), Room 301, LOB

9:00 a.m. Regular meeting.

NH-CANADIAN TRADE COUNCIL (RSA 12-A:2-g), Upham Walker House, Park Street,Concord

1:00 p.m. Organizational meeting.

NEW HAMPSHIRE RAIL TRANSIT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS (RSA 238-A:2),Room 201, LOB


MONDAY, APRIL 25

COMMISSION ON HEALTH CARE COST CONTAINMENT (RSA 21-S:2), Room 307, LOB


HISTORICAL COMMITTEE (RSA 17-I), Room 208, LOB


OIL FUND DISBURSEMENT (RSA 146-D:4), Room 305, LOB


TUESDAY, APRIL 26

HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 205, LOB

10:30 a.m. Executive session on SB 51, relative to the establishment of a state


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leadership team to address issues concerning certain adults withdevelopmental disabilities who may present a substantial risk to thecommunity, SB 72-FN, establishing a comprehensive cancer plan fund, SB93, relative to pharmacist administration of vaccines, SB 151-FN, relative tocontracts of the department of health and human services.

PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS, Room 201, LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 195, naming the Manchester Airport Access Road for Raymond Wieczorek.Executive session may follow.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY, Rooms 302-304, LOB

10:15 a.m. Full committee work session on retained HB 311-FN, relative to solarrenewable energy and HB 543-FN, relative to biomass combined heat andelectricity facilities and the renewable portfolio standard.


10:00 a.m. Full committee work session on SB 3-FN-A-L, making comprehensivechanges to the state retirement system, SB 75-FN, relative to clarification ofpart-time service in the state retirement system.

10:15 a.m. Executive session on SB 3-FN-A-L, making comprehensive changes to thestate retirement system, SB 75-FN, relative to clarification of part-timeservice in the state retirement system.


10:00 a.m. Executive session on CACR 5, relating to the governor's power to reduceappropriations. Providing that the governor shall have line item reductionpower of items in any bill making appropriations of money, SB 53-FN,relative to the definition of nursing and establishing a nursing assistantregistry fund administered by the board of nursing, SB 125-FN-A, relative tothe business profits tax deduction for reasonable compensation.

THURSDAY, APRIL 28

COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS (INSURANCE/CONSUMER PROTECTIONDIVISION), Room 302, LOB

10:30 a.m. SB 171, relative to prescription drug benefits for the treatment of pain.11:15 a.m. SB 179, relative to qualified purchasing alliances.

Work sessions on these bills may follow the public hearing.

EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB

10:00 a.m. Executive session on SB 82-FN, extending the state board of education'sauthority to approve chartered public schools and relative to the funding of


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chartered public schools approved by a school district.10:30 a.m. SB 96, relative to amending the charter of The Pinkerton Academy.11:00 a.m. SB 192, establishing a commission to identify strategies needed for

delivering a 21st century education.1:30 p.m. SB 196, relative to the renomination or reelection of teachers and prohibiting

assessing teacher performance based solely on assessment scores.

Executive session may follow.

JOINT COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYEE CLASSIFICATION (RSA 14:14-c), Room 209, LOB


REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES, Room 104, LOB

10:00 a.m. Petition #4 Petitioner Representative Dan Itse of Fremont, on behalf ofVincent Milano.

11:00 a.m. Petition #2 Petitioner Dan Itse of Fremont, on behalf of Elena Katz, ArnoldGoodman, and their daughter.

2:00 p.m. Petition #3 Petitioner Representative Dan Itse of Fremont on behalf ofMichael Brewster.

FRIDAY, APRIL 29

WORKERS' COMPENSATION ADVISORY COUNCIL (RSA 281-A:62), Rooms 305-307,LOB


MONDAY, MAY 2

FISCAL COMMITTEE (RSA 14:30-a), Rooms 210-211, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular business.

TUESDAY, MAY 3

COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS (BANKING/BUSINESS DIVISION), Room 302,LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 197, regulating guaranteed price plans and prepaid contracts for heatingoil, kerosene, or liquefied petroleum gas.

10:45 a.m. SB 189, relative to the definition of mortgage loan originator.1:15 p.m. SB 111, relative to short sales of a homeowner's residence.2:15 p.m. SB 120, relative to alcoholic beverage advertising restrictions.

Work sessions on these bills may follow the public hearings.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY, Room 304, LOB

10:15 a.m. Telecom market regulatory briefing from NH PUC.1:15 p.m. SB 22, relative to alternative regulation of small incumbent local exchange

carriers.Executive session may follow.


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Senate HearingsFRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2011

Monday, April 18:

ONDAY, APRIL 18, 2011FINANCE, Room 103, SHSen. Morse (C), Sen. Odell (VC), Sen. Barnes, Sen. Bragdon, Sen. DAllesandro, Sen.Forrester, Sen. Gallus

AGENCY PRESENTATIONS ON THE BUDGET AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE

9:00 a.m. Community Technical College System9:30 a.m. Public Utilities Commission with Consumer Advocate10:00 a.m. Post Secondary Education10:15 a.m. Community Development Finance Authority11:00 a.m. University System of New Hampshire12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. BREAK1:00 p.m. Liquor Commission1:30 p.m. Department of Education2:15 p.m. Department of Labor2:30 p.m. McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center2:45 p.m. NH State Office of Veterans Services3:00 p.m. Pease Development Authority3:30 p.m. NH Retirement SystemEXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

Tuesday, April 19:TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2011COMMERCE, Room 102, LOBSen. Prescott (C), Sen. White (VC), Sen. De Blois, Sen. Houde, Sen. Sanborn

9:00 a.m. HB 424, relative to surplus lines tax collection.9:20 a.m. HB 175, relative to technical changes in life, accident, and health insurance.9:40 a.m. HB 31, relative to insurance payments for ambulance services.10:00 a.m. HB 405, relative to dissolving corporations.

EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

EDUCATION, Rooms 305-307, LOBSen. Stiles (C), Sen. Forsythe (VC), Sen. Carson, Sen. Kelly, Sen. Prescott

1:00 p.m. HB 370, making changes to the pupil safety and violence prevention act.EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

PUBLIC AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 101, LOB

Sen. Barnes (C), Sen. Forrester (VC), Sen. Boutin, Sen. Merrill, Sen. Stiles

9:00 a.m. HB 56, relative to proper observance of September 11, 2001.9:15 a.m. HB 181, permitting the charter of a city, town, or school district which is in

statute to revert to the control of the voters.9:35 a.m. HB 198, relative to the investment options for county funds.9:55 a.m. HB 251, relative to absentee ballots.10:30 a.m. HB 274-FN, relative to voting procedures.


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10:45 a.m. HB 316, relative to penalties for failure to file a property tax inventory blankor

for refusing inspection of property. (The previous hearing for H B 316was recessed on A pril 12th in orderfor the C ommittee to heartestimony on Amendment #1326s)EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

WAYS AND MEANS, Room 100, SHSen. Odell (C), Sen. Luther (VC), Sen. Boutin, Sen. DAllesandro, Sen. Morse, Sen. Rausch

1:00 p.m. Revenue Information Briefing By Michael Kane (LBAO)1:30 p.m. HB 209, establishing a study committee to recommend a continuing revenue

estimating process to produce revenue forecasts.1:45 p.m. HB 579, exempting department of revenue administration guidelines from

the right-to-know law.EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

Wednesday, April 20:EDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2011

JUDICIARY, Room 100, SHSen. Houde (C), Sen. Carson (VC), Sen. Groen, Sen. Luther

1:00 p.m. HB 544, relative to state authority over firearms and ammunition.1:15 p.m. HB 330-FN, relative to carrying firearms.


Thursday, April 21:HURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2011ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, Rooms 201-203, LOBSen. Odell (C), Sen. Gallus (VC), Sen. Bradley, Sen. Lambert, Sen. Merrill

9:00 a.m. HB 519-FN, repealing New Hampshires regional greenhouse gas initiativecap and trade program for controlling carbon dioxide emissions.EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 100, SHSen. Carson (C), Sen. Groen (VC), Sen. Larsen, Sen. Luther, Sen. White

9:00 a.m. HB 331-FN, relative to posting agency expenditures on the statetransparency

website.9:15 a.m. HB 418-FN, relative to the use of open source software and open dataformats by

state agencies and relative to the adoption of a statewide information policyregarding open government data standards.

9:30 a.m. HB 450, relative to the regulatory authority of the board of barbering,

cosmetology, and esthetics.(the previous hearing for H B 450 was recessed on A pril 14th)

10:00 a.m. HB 580-FN-L, relative to the New Hampshire retirement system, and relativeto

continuation of provisions of a collective bargaining agreement following theend of the term of the agreement.EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

FINANCE, Representatives Hall, SH


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Sen. Morse (C), Sen. Odell (VC), Sen. Barnes, Sen. Bragdon, Sen. DAllesandro, Sen.Forrester, Sen. Gallus

2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. HB 1-A, making appropriations for the expenses of certaindepartments

of the state for fiscal years ending June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2013.

HB 2-FN-A-L, relative to state fees, funds, revenues, and expenditures.6:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. HB 1-A, making appropriations for the expenses of certaindepartments

of the state for fiscal years ending June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2013.HB 2-FN-A-L, relative to state fees, funds, revenues, and expenditures.Please note: the following hearing will be streamed live via theinternet at the following web address:http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/houselivevideo.asx

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Room 102, LOBSen. Bradley (C), Sen. De Blois (VC), Sen. Kelly, Sen. Lambert, Sen. Sanborn

1:00 p.m. HB 284-FN, relative to contact lens prescriptions.1:15 p.m. HB 504-FN, licensing reverse distributors of drugs and requiringmanufacturers,

wholesalers, distributors, service distributors, and brokers to report changesin

ownership.1:30 p.m. HB 479-FN, relative to receivership of nursing homes and other residential health

care facilities.EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

JUDICIARY, Room 100, SHSen. Houde (C), Sen. Carson (VC), Sen. Groen, Sen. Luther

1:00 p.m. HB 431, relative to psychiatric evaluations.1:15 p.m. HB 52, relative to grounds for modification of parental rights and

responsibilities.1:30 p.m. HB 313, requiring parental consent for court referral of a minor to a juvenile

diversion program.1:45 p.m. HB 329-FN, requiring parental notification before abortions may be

performed on unemancipated minors.EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

Monday, April 25:monday , april 25, 2011FINANCE, Room 103, SHSen. Morse (C), Sen. Odell (VC), Sen. Barnes, Sen. Bragdon, Sen. DAllesandro, Sen.Forrester, Sen. Gallus

AGENCY PRESENTATIONS ON THE BUDGET AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE

8:45 a.m. Secretary of State9:00 a.m. Department of Safety10:00 a.m. Police Standards and Training10:30 am. Fish and Game11:00 a.m. Department of Agriculture11:30 a.m. Joint Board of Licensure and Certification12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. BREAK12:45 p.m. Human Rights Commission1:00 p.m. Department of Environmental Services
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/houselivevideo.asxhttp://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/houselivevideo.asx


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1:30 p.m. Lottery Commission2:00 p.m. Banking Commission2:30 p.m. Employment Security2:45 p.m. Department of Resources and Economic Development3:15 p.m. Department of Information Technology


Tuesday, April 26:TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2011EDUCATION, Room 103, LOBSen. Stiles (C), Sen. Forsythe (VC), Sen. Carson, Sen. Kelly, Sen. Prescott

1:00 p.m. HB 401, relative to postsecondary training for workers with disabilities.1:20 p.m. HB 216, relative to the instructional authority of school boards.1:40 p.m. HB 429, permitting a child 16 years of age or older to withdraw from schoolwith

parental permission.EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

Thursday, April 28, 2011HURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, Room 102, LOBSen. Odell (C), Sen. Gallus (VC), Sen. Bradley, Sen. Lambert, Sen. Merrill

9:00 a.m. HB 205-FN, relative to notice to owners of upstream dams.9:20 a.m. HB 468-FN, relative to assessments for aquatic resource compensatory

mitigation.EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

JUDICIARY, Room 101, LOBSen. Houde (C), Sen. Carson (VC), Sen. Groen, Sen. Luther

1:00 p.m. HB 614, requiring a performance audit of the guardian ad litem board andguardian ad litem services.

1:15 p.m. HB 634-FN, relative to payment of guardian ad litem and mediator fees inmarital

cases where the parties are indigent.1:30 p.m. HB 490-FN, adopting the interstate compact for juveniles.1:45 p.m. HB 597, revising the child support guidelines based on an income shares

model of calculating child support.2:00 p.m. HB 225-FN, relative to the return of personal property confiscated by law

enforcement agencies from a person charged with a crime.EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

jackie cilley legislative action alert 4-18-2011

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