Committees of Conference (CoC) have been set and meetings have begun. Today many bills that have already been agreed upon were formally sent to the Governor for signature. Next week will include many CoC meetings to see if other contested bills can be agreed upon.  Included is the important 'anti-bullying' / state employee / work place measure. HB591 will be heard by a CoC Tuesday at 9.  Stay tuned!

Friday May 16 update:

Well, it's Committee of Conference time where remaining differences in bills still alive (but amended) will either be hashed out or not.  Deadline for reporting out of these conferences is the end of this month. It's also the season where killed bills may pop up as amendments to bills still being considered. So while the session is winding down, there's still work to be done!  Stay tuned.




Friday March 28 update:Friday March 28 update:

"Crossover" has arrived, with both chambers sending over to the other the bills they have passed (or passed with amendment). So, no House or Senate sessions for a couple of weeks while Committees conduct public hearings on measures passed by the other chamber (see sidebar for details).

Last Tuesday the House did table (effectively kill) HB1591 - this bill would have added transparency to local government but with strong pressure from the LGC (go figure) the bill was tabled. Stay tuned!

 

Friday March 21 update:

The House only passed on 8 bills last week (in 8 hours) so they will be meeting (possibly) for three days next week to meet the cross over deadline of next Thursday.  The House did kill HB1493 and HB1101, rather draconian measures recommended by NHRS (yes, the system which is supposed to be looking out after members) seeking to impose unfair sanctions on retirees and to affect a pending case before the NHRS.  Maybe the NHRS should stick to administering the System and earning money on members' contributions.

No hearings in the house next week, as the both chambers will be busy disposing of pending bills. Stay tuned!


Friday March 14 update:

The big labor news last week was the defeat of SB364, a measure offered by the New Hampshire Retirement Security Coalition to roll back some of the 2011 pension changes and to add a defined contribution plan to the current Group I defined benefit pension. The Senate voted to kill the bill (12-11) along party lines, the majority agreeing with the critics that the cost (estimated by some at 80+ million) was unsustainable and that even some in Labor supported the changes in 2011 effecting new hires. 

On a more positive note, last week we saw the defeat of SB218 (Sen. Reagan's bill to eliminate Group II altogether for new hires) and HB1155, an ill conceived measure to place State retiree health insurance co-payments in the hands of State bureaucrats.

There are very few committee hearings scheduled, the House meeting in session Wednesday and Thursday (for the remainder of the month) in the run up to crossover. Next week the House will vote on a LGC heavily lobbied right-to-know bill (HB1591). This bill (as amended) would, among other positive changes to RSA 91-A, add a posted agenda requirement to public meetings notice requirements.  Imagine that, knowing not only when a Selectman's meeting is but what they will be meeting on - and imagine the LGC/NHMA being against this open government initiative.  Same old stuff from LGC.  Stay tuned!

Friday March 7 update:

HB1155 was voted by committee ITL and is on the consent calendar for next Wednesday - good news for our State employee retirees; their cost premium share should be a matter for the legislature not State administrators. Not many hearings next week as both chambers must act on bills to make time deadlines. Of note, the Senate hears the measure to roll back certain "pension reforms" which receieved an ITL (3-2) vote out of committee. We will see what the Senate does on Thursday.  Stay tuned!

 
Friday Feb 28 update:

The Legislature comes back from break next week and will be busy, with House sessions scheduled Wednesday and Thursday. Next week many bills will be exec'd in committee including the misguided effort to put State retiree health insurance premium cost share in the hands of state bureaucrats and out of the Legislature's control - hopefully HB1155 will get an ITL recommendation.  Sorry to report the much needed "Laurie List" bill was recommended ITL by the House Judiciary committee - perhaps subsequent attempts can get this important measure its proper due, (like they did in California, recently enacting a sweeping 'Brady bill') ; we will see.

Friday Feb 14 update:

Last Tuesday the House ED&A committee heard HB1155, a bill that would give State bureaucrats the power to recommend increases in the payments made by State retirees for health insurance.  A bad idea, as this important benefit should be managed by the full Legislature, not State bean counters.  While State administrators argued that 'flexibility' should be added to their "toolbox", SEA President Lacey testified that retirees have nothing in their "toolbox" to cope with the ever increasing cost of health care. The bill will be voted on by committee next Thursday.

Also last week, the House Judiciary committee worked on a number of 'right-to-know' (RTK) bills (some good, some bad) and will continue that work next week.  Look for another RTK commission to be formed to study enhancements to RSA 91-A.

A packed session of the Senate ED&A committee heard SB364, a measure designed to roll back some of the recent  pension "reforms" for Group II and to add a defined contribution component to existing Group I pensions. A great showing by newly hired Manchester and Concord Police, Portsmouth, Hooksett and Hampton fire fighters,  and State employees, who emphasized that current projections indicate that these public servants will be living near the poverty line at retirement. But the testimony of the day was from retired Manchester Fire Fighter and World War II veteran, 96 year old Clarence Blais who eloquently detailed how low pensions for public employees impact our heroes - Clarence lives in subsidized housing.  Clarence received a tearful standing ovation after his testimony.  We'll see....

But wait, next week we have another anti-public employee/retirement bill to hear - SB218 (sponsored by Sen. Reagan) - which seeks to elimimate Group II eligibility for all new hires.   When will it end? Stay tuned!

Friday Feb 7 update:

Last Tuesday was NHMA/LGC day in the Municipal and County Government committee with three bills aimed at curtailing, what some believe to be, an out of control municipal organization. Many lobbyists appeared in strong opposition to the bill restricting lobbying by groups funded by local tax dollars (go figure!).  While the Committee seemed skeptical as to these bills, good points were made by the sponsors, including removing NHMA as the only group able to lobby on behalf of NH cities and towns; prohibiting forced membership in the NHMA for those purchasing health insurance from HealthTrust; and requiring the voters to approve paying membership dues to NHMA. 

Last week, the House ED&A committee voted on several retirement related bills, approving some technical measures recommended by NHRS; recommending to kill yet another study committee to look into other retirement plans; and voting to study including more NH DOC positions in Group II.

Next week, the House Judiciary committee works on a slew of right-to-know bills (some good ones, some not so good) and the Senate ED&A committee takes up SB364, a bill that would restore the Group II 'multiplier' to 2 and 1/2 percent of service time and creates a supplemental savings plan (defined contribution) to be added onto Group I retirement benefits.  Should be interesting, as NHMA is already claiming "unfunded mandate!".  Stay tuned!

Friday Jan 31 update:

The so called  'right to work' bill was thankfully killed in the Senate last week, with Republican Senators Carson and Boutin joining democrats in deciding New Hampshire has had enough of this tired debate.  Good riddance (for now!). Unfortunately, also killed (by the House) was HB341, a bill that would require the Legislature to pay for their numerous requests of NHRS to supply actuarial reports on proposed legislation. Instead, those significant costs will continue to come out of the pension fund itself.

Two significant public hearings were held last week:  HB1603 would carve out (grandfather) a great number of existing 'EMT- Intermediates' and not require them to pass the relativley new (and updated) standard of 'EMT- Advanced'. Most of the testimony focused on the importance of EMT's to maintain high levels of certification in order to provide the best possible emergency care.

HB1315 was heard by the House Judiciary committee.  This important bill deals with police officers being placed on the 'so called', Laurie List (which implements the Constitutional requirement that criminal defendants be provided with exculpatory evidence, including 'credibility' evidence that may be contained in an officer's personnel file). All seemed to agree that the conflicting issues here (legal rights of defendants versus privacy rights of officers) present tough challenges and, because being on the Laurie List often has adverse employment impacts on police officers, this bill will get close attention. Look for materials presented to legislative committees on these and other bills we follow on our downloads page.

Next week we will follow interesting proposed legislation dealing with the NHMA (see side bar) and the House will deal with HB1234, a bill involving the ability to appoint police chiefs for a "fixed term".  Stay tuned!

Friday Jan 24 update:

Friday Jan 17 update:

SB204 , a bill that expands the workers' compensation permanent impairment awards to cover 'internal organs', was heard by the Senate Commerce committee Tuesday, supported by an overflow number of police officers from Manchester and the law enforcement community state wide - all in support of insuring that injuries suffered as those by Manchester Officer Dan Doherty will be compensable.  A strong and deserving show of support should see that this bill sails through the Senate. 

Next week is busy with important retirement bills before the ED&A committee and right to know measures before the House Judiciary committee.  Stay tuned!

Friday Jan 10 update:

The House made some progress Wednesday, taking up three veto measures from the Governor (Gov. Hassan went 3 for 3) then moving on to address a score of retained bills from the 2013 session. It will likely take a few more weeks until all the '2013' bills are voted on. One major vote included the approval of medicaid expansion, although the Senate is not expected to go along, absent some new bipartisan agreement.

Other bills coming up in the weeks to come include HB627, yet another retirement bill that seeks to tinker with vested retirement benefits.  We testified against this bill last year and we trust the House will find the bill inexpedient to legislate, especially after we have made much progress in establishing that RSA 100-A is a contract between the State and NHRS members and retirees.

Meanwhile 2014 bills are now headed for hearings including a score of workers' compensation measures to be taken up by the Senate (see side bar) -- watch closely to SB204 which appropriately seeks to expand those instances where injured workers may collect permanent impairment awards.  Also House Finance takes up the Fire Fighter heart lung bill next week. Stay tuned!



The "Special Committee" on public employee pensions met today and received an 'infomercial' on the '457' Plans.  Some on the Committee believed these well-established supplemental plans could be the answer to what they believe to be the problem with the NHRS defined benefit plan. (They're not). Ultimately, the Committee voted to "retain" both pending bills before them (HB369 and HB556) so the Committee's work is done for a while.

The "Special Committee" on public employee pensions met today and received an 'infomercial' on the '457' Plans.  Some on the Committee believed these well-established supplemental plans could be the answer to what they believe to be the problem with the NHRS defined benefit plan. (They're not). Ultimately, the Committee voted to "retain" both pending bills before them (HB369 and HB556) so the Committee's work is done for a while.

The "Special Committee" on public employee pensions met today and received an 'infomercial' on the '457' Plans.  Some on the Committee believed these well-established supplemental plans could be the answer to what they believe to be the problem with the NHRS defined benefit plan. (They're not). Ultimately, the Committee voted to "retain" both pending bills before them (HB369 and HB556) so the Committee's work is done for a while.

Important Dates

Thursday March 5, 2015

Finance- H  Reps. Hall  4pm

HB1

HB2

Tuesday March 3, 2015

JUD   LOB 306 10am

right to know bills

HB447

HB606

HB633

HB285

HB108

HB613

HB646

Labor LOB 307  10:15am

HB324 (union membership)

HB402 (right to work)

HB658 (right to work)

HB684 (min. wage)

CJ&PS  LOB 204  10:30am

HB287 (video law enf.)

Finance - S    SH103  2pm

SB261  (min. wage)

Monday March 2, 2015

CJ&PS  LOB 204

HB214  (police certs.)

HB568  (law enf.)

ED&A-H  LOB 306

HB396   (NHRS)

HB488  (abusive work env.)

Thursday Feb 9, 2015

JUD   LOB 306 10am

HB646 (right to know)

HB656 (right to know) 

HB606 (right to know)

Tuesday Feb 7, 2015

ED&A-H  LOB 306

HB682 (Group II, NHRS)

HB425 (agency rules)

Labor    Reps Hall 1pm

Minimum wage bills

HB392

HB163

HB370

HB684

Friday  Jan 30, 2015

Pension Committee LOB104

10am

HB369 (defined contr. plan)

HB556 (cash bal. plan)

Tuesday Feb 3, 2014

CJ&PS  LOB 204  

10am

HB583 (police/cameras)

HB617 (police/cameras)

ED&A-H  LOB 306 

10am

HB396 (NHRS/part timers)

Monday  Feb 2, 2015

Pension Committee LOB104

10am

HB369 (def. contr. plan)

Finance- H  LOB 210  1:30

HB463 (agency communication)

Friday  Jan 30, 2015

Pension Committee LOB104

10am

HB369 (defined contribution plan)

Wednesday  Jan 28, 2015

CJ&PS  Lob 204

10am

HB214  (police certs)

2:30pm

HB287  (recording police)

ED&A-H  LOB 306  1:45pm

HB139  (NHRS/part timers)

HB182  (study other plans)

Labor LOB 307  10:15am

HB324  (Union membership)

Tuesday Oct 21, 2014

ED&A-H  LOB 306  10am

HB1603  (EMT licenses)

Thursday Oct 9, 2014

ED&A-H  LOB 306  10am

Interim study :

HB473 (Group II USNH police)

HB1563 (Group II DOC)

Wednesday Oct 8, 2014

CJ&PS  Lob 204  9am

HB1550  (interim study)

A/V recording public officials

Tuesday Sept 30, 2014

10am LOB 307

HB1489  (Firefighter Cancer bill/study)

Wednesday Sept 17, 2014

House in Session   10 am

HB591   (work place/state employees)

HB685    (RTK/state agencies)

Monday Sept 15, 2014

Senate in Session  11:30

SB391    (SYSC)

Tuesday Sept 2, 2014

10am  LOB 307

HB1489  (Firefighter Cancer bill/study)

Tuesday May 27, 2014

CoC    9am        LOB 307

HB591   (work place/state employees)

CoC   12pm      SH103

SB261     (SEA retirees)

CoC   1:30pm    LOB208

HB685    (RTK/state agencies)

CoC    2pm        SH100

SB391    (SYSC)

CoC    3:15pm    LOB 306

HB1494   (NHRS)

Thursday May 22, 2014

Senate in session 10am

Wednesday May 21, 2014

C of C meeting 11:30 SH103

SB261     (SEA retirees)

Thursday May 8, 2014

Senate in session 10am

HB685    (RTK/state agencies)

HB1494   (NHRS)

ED&A-H  LOB 306  10am

Ad hoc committee/retirement

Wednesday May 7, 2014

House in session 10am

SB391    (SYSC)

Thursday May 1, 2014

Finance- H  LOB 212

10:30am

SB391      (SYSC)

2pm

SB395   (NHRS/Group II)

Senate in session 10am

Wednesday April 30, 2014

House in session 10am

Thursday April 24, 2014

Senate in session 10am

HB1494      (NHRS)

HB1156      (RTK)

Wednesday April 23, 2014

House in session 10am

SB186    (nonprofits)

SB222    (DAS restrux)

SB395   (NHRS/Group II)

Thursday April 17, 2014

Senate in session 10am

HB1222 (commercial use/ law enforcement-fire memorials)

HB1398     (NHRS)

HB1152     (NHRS)

HB1617     (NHRS)

HB1335     (USNH)

Wednesday April 16, 2014

House in session 10am

SB376     (risk pools)

SB358     (CCSNH/273-A)

SB261     (SEA retirees)

ED&A-H  LOB 306 1pm

SB264   (Judicial Retirement)

SB395   (NHRS/Group II)

SB399   (ethics/public contracting)

Tuesday April 15, 2014

ED&A-H  LOB 306  10am

Ad hoc committee/retirement

Wednesday April 9, 2014

ED&A-H  LOB 306  10am

SB264   (Judicial Retirement)

PMA       LOB 102  9:50am

HB1156   (RTK)

ED&A-S  SH100   9am

HB1494   (NHRS)

Tuesday April 8, 2014

ED&A-H  LOB 306  10am

SB399  (ethics/public contracting)

exec. session 1:30pm

SB186  (nonprofits)

SB261  (SEA retirees)

SB376  (risk pools)

SB418  (FF memorials)

Wednesday April 2, 2014

ED&A-H  LOB 306  2:30pm

SB376    (risk pools)

Labor LOB 307  11:15am

SB358     (CCSNH/273-A)

ED&A-S  SH100   9am

HB1130    (NHRS)

HB1152    (NHRS)

HB1398     (NHRS)

HB1617     (NHRS)

Tuesday April 1, 2014

ED&A-H  LOB 306  10am

SB264 (Judicial Retirement)

SB395 (NHRS/Group II)

SB418 (FF memorial day)

SB261 (SEA retirees)

COM-S  LOB101   1 pm

HB1498 (w/c - IME)

Finance - S    SH103  1pm

HB1335 (USNH)

HB1489  (FF Heart/Lung bill)

Wednesday March 26, 2014

ED&A-S  SH100   9 40am

HB685 (RTK/state agencies)

HB1102 (police STC)

HB1222 (commercial use/ law enforcement-fire memorials)

Tuesday March 25, 2014

House in session 10am

HB1494 (NHRS) (OTPA)

HB1591 (RTK) (OTPA)

HB1228 (273-A) (ITL)

Wednesday March 19, 2014

House in session 10am

HB1101 (NHRS) (ITL)

HB1493 (NHRS) (ITL)

HB1591 (RTK) (OTPA)

HB1228 (273-A) (ITL)

Thursday March 13, 2014

Senate in session 10am

SB218 (NHRS/Group I)(ITL)

SB358 (CCSNH/PELRB)(OTPA)

SB364  (NHRS) (ITL)

SB376  (risk pools)(OTP)

Wednesday March 12, 2014

House in session 10am

consent calendar:

HB1152 (NHRS)(OTPA)

HB1155 (retiree health)(ITL)

HB1398  (NHRS)(OTP)

HB1617  (NHRS)(OTPA)

regular calendar:

HB1399 (NHRS)(W/O rec)

Thursday March 6, 2014

Senate in session 10am

SB398 (State negotiations)ITL

Wednesday March 5, 2014

House in session 10am

consent calendar:

HB1593  (ITL)

HB1153 (RTK)  (ITL)

HB1450 (RTK)  (ITL)

HB1470 (RTK)  (ITL)

regular calendar:

HB1126 (NHRS) (ITL)

HB1156 (RTK)  (OTPA)

Tuesday March 4, 2014

M&CG  LOB 301  10am/exec

HB1560  (lobbying/pol.subs)

Labor LOB 307  10:15am

exec. session

HB1228  (RSA 273-A)

ED&A-H  LOB 306  11am

exec. session

HB1101    (NHRS)

HB1493     (NHRS)

HB1155 (retiree health)

Thursday Feb 20, 2014

ED&A-S  SH100   9am

executive session

ED&A-H  LOB 306  1pm

exec. session

HB1155 (retiree health)

HB1634 (salaries/unclass.)



Tuesday Sept 2, 2014

10am  LOB 307

Tuesday Sept 2, 2014

10am  LOB 307

Thursday Oct 9, 2014

Thursday Oct 9, 2014

Friday  Jan 30, 2015

Pension Committee LOB104

10am

Pension Committee LOB104

10am