RAYMOND — This column continues on with the passed bills from the early sessions. Keep in mind that these are bills that were studied in committee, carried over, and reported out of their committee in November. We haven't even started any 2012 bills yet.
These were some of the bills passed on the January 11 session:
HB-582 - relative to communication between employers and employees during bargaining negotiations. Bill allows any party to the collective bargaining process to communicate to employees at any time. A-2761h yes VV, OTP-A yes VV.
HB-388-FN - establishing the amount of the enhanced 911 services surcharge and requiring providers of voice over Internet protocol services to pay surcharges for deposit in the enhanced 911 system fund. Bill requires providers of prepaid wireless services and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services to pay surcharges for deposit in the enhanced 911 system fund. A-2773h yes VV, OTP-a yes
HB-342 - relative to boat operation rules. Bill clarifies who gets certified mail notification relative to changes on water restrictions. A-0079h yes VV, OTP-A yes VV.
HB-242-FN-A - relative to the net operating loss carryover under the business profits tax (BPT). Text of bill already passed in HB-2 last year. This law has no fiscal impact on the current budget. The only thing this bill does is change the effective date from July 2013, to January 2013. A-2568h yes VV, OTP-A yes RC 259-89. Bill came from 2nd comm. (W&M) so goes to senate.
HB-564 - relative to the adoption of forms by the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) for the filing of taxes and removing the requirement for electronic tax payments. Bill requires that tax forms developed or approved by the DRA shall be adopted pursuant to RSA 541-A, the Administrative Procedure Act, and repeals the exemption from RSA541-A for such forms. A-2745h yes VV, OTP-A yes 271-82. Also from W&M, goes to senate.
Following are bills that were pulled from Consent Calendar of the January 4th session, that after debated on floor passed:
HB-415 - relative to access to abuse and neglect investigation records pending a child custody dispute. Bill allows a non-accused parent access to third party records in the possession of DCYF. Reported out ITL failed RC147-197, passed OTP 217-129. Sent to second committee Constitutional Review & Statutory Re-codification.
HB-263-FN - relative to the time limits for assistance from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF). Bill establishes a limit for assistance to a consecutive 36-month period and a lifetime limit of 36 months. A-2695h yes VV, OTP-A yes RC 211-99.
HB-440-FN - Bill requires that NH join the lawsuit challenging federal health care reformlegislation. A-2718h yes RC 179-118, OTP-A yes RC 211-83.
At the January 18th session, we only voted on five bills during a long day:
HB-228-FN - prohibiting the Department of Health and Human Services from entering into a contract with Planned Parenthood of America, Inc. or any organization that provides abortion services and prohibiting the use of public funds or insurance for abortion services. Bill came out of committee recommending ITL. ITL vote failed 150-195, A-0237h yes RC 206-142, OTP-A yes RC 207-147.
HB-514 - relative to entry on private land. This bill is a property rights bill. It enhances those rights by forbidding data gathering on someone else's property without their permission. A-2638h no VV, A-0254h yes RC 260-98, OTP-A yes VV.
HB-592 - apportioning state representative districts. Redistricting is required every ten years. This bill lists the representative districts. OTP-A yes RC 205-86. I voted prevailing side on all votes. Motion to print all debates - yes RC 280-10 (this will put debates in writing in case there is a court case about plan. Motion to reconsider vote on OTP-A no VV (This stops any debate and moves bill to senate).
HCO-1 - This is a House Concurrent Order bill that was put in if leadership feels they needed it later to order the Secretary of State to use the redistricting plan. Motion Table yes VV.
CACR-13 - relating to prohibiting any new tax on personal income. Providing that no new tax on personal income shall be levied by the State of New Hampshire. Floor A-0256h yes VV, OTP-A on straight party lines - yes RC 257-101 (CACR's require a 60% of house total [239] to pass). CACR's if passed and signed by the
Governor, go on the ballot for the voters to vote on and pass.
This still leaves us with 6 bills from the calendar of the January 4-5 sessions to deal with. They are on the February 1st calendar. Hopefully, we get them done, and get started on the 2012 bills.
On January 26, the Rockingham County Delegation held a Public Hearing on the 2012 Commissioner's proposed county budget. It had a 2% tax rate increase and a total appropriations/expenditures increase of 4%. One of the concerns is the increased costs of the jail. We now have no weekend on-call judges, so, no weekend bail outs. This really can cause an increase, if a person arrested needs medical attention. The slowdown in the judicial system now has our incarcerated rate at 1 post-trial to 2 pre-trial. Many of the pre-trial wouldn't be incarcerated if they could get a hearing. Incarceration costs us $68.00 per day, per person, plus any medical. Another big hit is the heating fuels and vehicle gas, with increases of 22.9% for #6 oil, 32% for #2 oil, and 29.9% for LP gas. The good side of this is, the Biomass Plant will be coming on line soon, with a conservative estimated savings of $100K for 2012, and $350K in years after. The proposed budget now moves on to the Executive Committee.
(Editor's Note: NH State Representative Mike Kappler can be reached at l.mikekappler@comcast.net.)
