Sponsor's Insight
As you may have heard, it was a busy week in Concord as both the House and Senate prepare for "Crossover", that time in the legislative calendar (March 31) when the House completes their work on House bills and sends those that passed on to the Senate for further review. The Senate, of course is doing the same with those bills that originated there.
Last week the House met for three days to discuss committee recommendations on various business related bills and while some may disagree on the eventual outcomes of certain actions, this House seems dedicated to allowing market forces to increase revenues by reducing some tax rates and business expenses. Please remember, these bills are not yet laws and some may have to visit another House committee and the Senate before being placed on the Governor's desk for action.
In the House:
HB 156 seeks to lower the per pack cigarette tax from $1.78 to $1.68 per pack or $1.00 per carton. Proponents of the bill believe the lower prices will attract more buyers from across the borders, eventually generating more tax revenue. Opponents of the bill feel the annual $15 million tax hit is just too much at a time when the State needs the revenue. The roll call vote to lower the tax was 236-93 in favor. We will see what the Senate does with the legislation when they see it later this session.
Under what some would say is part of the "pro-business agenda", HB133 seeks to tie New Hampshire's minimum wage directly to the Federal rate. Proponents argued that every time the federal rate changes, New Hampshire must file legislation to do the same. They also felt that passing this bill would remove the perception that New Hampshire was willing to raise the minimum wage above the federal level. Opponents of the bill feel the State should not be giving up its right to set a minimum wage rate higher than the Federal standard. If this bill passes, competition for labor will be the prime driver for wage rates. The recommendation from the Labor Committee was close (8 to 7), but in the House, not so much. The bill passed by a roll call vote of 239-106.
In the Senate:
SB147 could put the entire state Medicaid system out to bid in a 5 year multi-million dollar contract. This bill requires the commissioner of the department of health and human services to issue a 5-year request for proposal to enter into a contract with a vendor or vendors of a managed care model after consultation with the oversight committee on health and human services to provide for managed care services to the Medicaid population. It is expected that this action may save the state tens of millions of dollars if an aggressive timetable is followed.
With the initial passage of SB154, the Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act has been reformed and renamed to the Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act. The new act, which still has a ways to go in the Senate before the House sees it, has support from both the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association and the New Hampshire Lakes Association. Among many of the changes is the ability for contractors to gain a permit for a project that would not have an impact on water quality just by notifying the proper state department. Lists of those types of projects are also listed in the legislation. The bill passed the full Senate on a voice vote and is now headed to Senate Finance for further discussion.
Legislative Education moment: Did you ever wonder how your state Representative or State Senator voted on a particular bill?
If the full body voted on a bill using a Roll Call vote, just follow these instructions:
For example on HB133 mentioned above, go to this website:
http://gencourt.state.nh.us/
Insert the bill number in the "find the bill" box on the Legislative Dash Board section (HB133).
Click on Bill Docket
At the bottom of the pink box you will see floor action on 3/16/2011
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03/16/2011
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H
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Ought to Pass: MA RC 239-106
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Click on RC 239-106 (above)
Then Click on Yeas or Nays to get the lists of who voted which way.
Of course, another option is to retain a reputable lobbying firm to track, or advocate for you, on legislation that could help or harm your business.
Erle Pierce
Sheehan Phinney Capitol Group
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