RAYMOND —This articles continues on from last week. Many bills from these first couple sessions will be to spread out over the next few columns.
HB-350 - Updating laws relative to the fiscal committee of the general court. OTP-A.
HB-449-FN - Expanding the information available on the state transparency website. OTP-A.
HB-458-FN-A - Establishing a sunset review process for executive agency and judicial programs and making an appropriation therefore. OTP-A.
HB-517-FN - Repealing provisions concerning licensure of fuel gas fitters. This bill merges and updates the plumbers and gas fitters boards. OTP-A.
HB-624 - Relative to the rule-making authority of state agencies to establish or increase fees and costs. OTP-A.
SB-153-FN - Relative to the regulation of real estate appraisers by the New Hampshire Real Estate Appraiser Board. OTP-A. After second committee, if passed second time, the bill goes back to the senate, as bill was amended in House.
HB-151 - Relative to appointments and re-appointments of marital masters. OTP-A.
HB-344-FN - Establishing a judicial performance review commission. OTP-A.
HB-236 - Relative to workers compensation for illegal aliens. OTP-A.
HB-420-FN - Relative to voluntary registration for independent contractors under workers compensation law. OTP-A.
SB-49 - Relative to tip pooling arrangements. OTP-A. Bill was amended so it has to go back to senate.
HB-108 - Authorizing the town of Hampton to appoint a tree warden. OTP-A.
HB-121 - Establishing a committee to study eligibility for property tax exemptions for the permanently and totally disabled. OTP-A.
HB-256-FN - Relative to the administrative appeals process of the Department of Environmental Services. OTP-A.
SB-19 - Relative to the definition of "prime wetlands". OTP-A. Also goes back to senate.
SB-106 - naming the visitor center at Jericho Mountain State Park for Robert Danderson. OTP. Goes to Governor for signature.
HB-533-FN-L - Establishing a cap on the amount of school building aid grants distributed in each fiscal year. OTP-A. This bill voted here is from second committee, so it goes to senate.
HB-518-FN-A - increasing the research and development tax credit and establishing a commission to assess the effectiveness of the credit. OTP-A. Bill is from second committee, so it goes to senate.
After the Consent Calendar, we moved on to the Regular Calendar. Let me note here, that bills with more than 1 or 2 committee members voting against the committee's recommendation, goes on the Regular Calendar, to be debated on the House floor. When the bill leaves the committee, it goes to the House floor with the committee's recommendation, committee vote, and a majority voter member of the committee writes a blurb (explanation) for the printed calendar, explaining majority voters opinion. It is highly recommended that the minority voters of the committee also write a blurb giving their opinion. With so many bills, these blurbs are basically all you have to go by during a session. I read all the blurbs prior to the session. If in doubt about a bill, I contact and speak with a confidant of that committee.
HB-591 - Relative to the determination of parental right based on the best interest of the child, relative to grounds for modification of an order regarding parental rights and responsibilities, and relative to grandparent and stepparent visitation rights. Laid on table.
HB-309 - (new title by amendment 2011-2815h) Relative to certain insurance mandates and establishing a committee to study current insurance mandates. Bill repeals 7 health insurance mandates that were enacted in the last 4 years. In some mandates changes a "shall" to "may" so that the insurance companies may continue the mandate if their customers want them. Passed amendment (amend) 2815h
RC 295-64, floor amend 0090h RC 231-133, bill OTP-A RC 229-133.
I supported all votes.
HB-581 - Regulating guaranteed price plans and prepaid contracts for petroleum. Bill clarifies requirements for future contracts obtained by dealers to ensure adequate supply and solvency before offering prepaid contracts for heating oil, kerosene, or liquefied petroleum gas to consumers. Passed amend 2721h RC 214-137 and bill OTP-A RC 223-129. I supported both.
HB-602-FN-A - Relative to funding the law requiring reporting of health care acquired infections. Passed amend 2645h voice vote (VV), and bill OTP-A VV. Sent to Ways & Means Comm. as 2nd comm.
SB-160-FN - Relative to the definition and regulation of installment loans. Bill provides low income wage earners more options when confronted with emergency situations, and provides services that would otherwise be unavailable to low income earners that have exhausted other means of obtaining credit. Passed OTP RC 208-139. I voted yes.
Even not amended by House, bill has to go to second committee due to FN.
I'll stop here for this week and continue on with the regular calendar next week. Have a good week, God bless!
(Editor's Note: NH State Representative Mike Kappler can be reached at l.mikekappler@comcast.net.)
