April 18, 2016                                                      
HIAP e-Newsletter 
Even though the great majority of bills have already either passed or been killed, the NH House and Senate still have important work to wrap up in the next 2 months.  This week we want to highlight an important step forward on clean energy that is SB492.  This bill would increase funding for energy efficiency for low-income people, municipalities and schools by sending a much greater portion of utility RGGI payments into this pool of funds.  That would reduce current rebates to residential customers by about $1.70 per month on an average electric bill.  Given the large dividends to everyone from these means of reducing energy expenditures, it is hard to believe that there is any opposition.  But of course there is, even though an impressive array of groups have endorsed the proposal.  It did get a positive recommendation from the Science, Technology and Energy committee which sent it to the House floor Ought To Pass by a 12 to 5 vote.  Telling your representatives before Wednesday's floor vote that you are happy to pay that much more to get the savings for local government and low-income people could be helpful in getting this recommendation accepted.  And be sure to mention that reducing energy demand will lead to the utilities paying lower prices for natural gas during peak demand times which is the biggest driver of high electric rates.  So each household paying this tiny amount now actually pays off for everyone, which, after all, is what public health is all about!

In other legislative news, the surprise we let you all know about last week in the enhanced breastfeeding protections (substituted into another bill by amendment in the Senate) went over to the House where a new twist has been added.  The House committee that heard the amended bill has changed the bill by removing all the protections and setting up a commission on breastfeeding instead.  It is now on the consent calendar for full House action.  As of this writing, we don't know whether there is appetite in the Senate to take these differences to a committee of conference or just settle for having a commission try to make life better for mothers and babies with no enactment of better statutory requirements.

Another surprise came last week as well. You will remember that we are following SB320, limiting non-academic surveys in schools. The House passed the bill with a "minor" amendment and everyone assumed the Senate would concur easily. Instead, the Senate asked for a Committee of Conference. So we have yet another opportunity to defeat this bill! The Senators appointed to the CofC are Reagan, Watters, and Avard. Avard is the lead sponsor but if you know him, you can try to help him understand. But Reagan and Watters have been allies on other important public health matters so give one of them a call, especially if you are a constituent. Two main points you can make (in addition to any public health arguments you want to make) are that current law provides protection for parents who do not want their child to take a particular survey (the opt out includes advance notice of the survey and its content), and current law leaves the decisions of what surveys can be given in a school to the local superintendent. We do not yet know who will be appointed by the House but we will be sure to update you when we find out.
 
This Week at the State House 

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs

Bill
Title
Status
NHPHA Position
(new Title) Establishing A Statewide Drug Offender Grant Program and Making Appropriations Therefor, and Relative to Transferring Certain Revenues to The Revenue Stabilization Reserve Account.

This bill establishes the statewide drug offender grant program administered by the office of drug offender program coordinator. Grants are paid by the administrative office of the superior court to counties meeting the requirements. The bill establishes an advisory commission and makes appropriations for grants for the administration and funding of drug courts and alternative drug offender programs. The bill also provides for a transfer of excess revenues to the revenue stabilization reserve account...
House:  Division III Work Session: 04/18/2016 10:30 AM LOB 210-211
Support
Priority #1
Relative to Prior Authorization For Substance Abuse Treatment.

This bill requires carriers to provide either coverage for medically necessary substance abuse treatment without prior authorization for a certain period of time or a 24 - hour hotline for assessment by a medical clinician or licensed alcohol and drug counselor.

House:  Insurance Subcommittee Work Session: 04/19/2016 10:00 AM LOB 304
Monitor
Priority #2


Child Health and Safety

Bill
Title
Status
NHPHA Position
(new Title) Relative to The Duties Of The Commission to Review Child Abuse Fatalities.

This bill directs the commission to review child abuse fatalities to identify all potential sources of child abuse and neglect data and recommend a comprehensive system for coordinated reporting to a central source.

Senate Hearing: 04/21/2016, Room 103,  01:30 pm
Monitor
Priority #2
(new Title) Relative to Breastfeeding.

This bill requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to women who are breastfeeding and exempts a nursing mother from jury duty.
House Vote 4/20/16: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2016-1372h (Vote 19-1; Consent Calendar)
Support
Priority #2


Climate Change and Clean Air

Bill
Title
Status
NHPHA Position
Relative to Net Energy Metering.

This bill modifies the cap on net energy metering tariffs available to eligible customer-generators. This bill also requires the public utilities commission to initiate a proceeding to develop alternative net energy metering tariffs.
House Committee Executive Session: 04/21/2016 01:00 PM LOB 304
Monitor
Priority #2
Relative to Funding Electric Vehicle Charging Stations with Municipal Registration Permits.

This bill permits municipalities to fund improvements in electric vehicle charging stations with funds from the municipal and transportation improvement fund.
House Vote 4/20/16: Committee Report: Ought to Pass
(Vote 14-0;
Consent Calendar)
Monitor
Priority #2
Relative to Expenditures From The Energy Efficiency Fund.

This bill modifies the allocation of rebates to retail electric customers. This bill also requires the public utilities commission to allocate certain funds to school districts for energy efficiency projects.
House Vote:
Committee Report: Ought to Pass (Vote 12-5; Regular Calendar)
Support
Priority #2


Mental Health

Bill
Title
Status
NHPHA Position
Repealing The License Requirement For Carrying A Concealed Pistol or Revolver.

I. Increases the length of time for which a license to carry a pistol or revolver is valid. II. Allows a person to carry a loaded, concealed pistol or revolver without a license provided such person is not otherwise prohibited by law. III. Repeals the requirement to obtain a license to carry a concealed pistol or revolver.
Senate Vote 4/21/16: Committee Report: Ought to Pass
Oppose
Priority #1

 
Upcoming Events

NH Governor's Summit on Substance Misuse
May 10, 2016 - 8 AM to 4 PM
Radisson Hotel, Manchester
For more information, click here

NH Healthy Homes Breakfast
May 11, 2016 (rescheduled from March 16) - 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM
State House Dining Room

NH Emergency Preparedness Conference
June 9, 2016 - 8:15 AM to 4:45 PM
Radisson Hotel, Manchester
For more information and to register, click here

New England Public Health Conference
June 16 - 17, 2016
The Colony Hotel - Kennebunkport, Maine
For more information, click here

3rd Annual Get Your Rear In Gear 5k & Janice Coburn Memory Walk
September 24, 2016
Gould Hill Farm, Hopkinton
For more info and to register, create a team or join an existing team, click here
 
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