Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that specifies regulations relating to New Hampshire's 2025-26 and 2026-27 Budget.

Highlights:

• Amends and adds new definitions to the Endangered Species Conservation Act (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules and review procedures such that actions of state agencies do not jeopardize the existence or habitats of species protected under the Endangered Species Conservation Act (Sec. 1).

• Establishes an environmental scientist position within the Department of Environmental Services to ensure that state agencies do not jeopardize the existence or habitats of species protected under the Endangered Species Conservation Act (Sec. 1).

• Requires that the rules established by the executive director of the Fish and Game Department establish an administrative fee that the executive director may collect from payments made to the threatened and endangered species compensatory mitigation fund (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules regarding when mitigation payments to the threatened and endangered species compensatory mitigation fund are required (Sec. 1).

• Amends and modifies the definition of “environmental review” as it relates to native plant protection (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Environmental Services to build and maintain a database for providing environmental reviews and cataloging protected species to assist state agencies and departments that require environmental reviews (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules to establish a process for requesting a screening and environmental review (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the commissioner of the Adds new definitions to the Endangered Species Conservation Act (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules and review procedures such that actions of state agencies do not jeopardize the existence or habitats of species protected under the Endangered Species Conservation Act (Sec. 1).

• Establishes an environmental scientist position within the Department of Environmental Services to ensure that state agencies do not jeopardize the existence or habitats of species protected under the Endangered Species Conservation Act (Sec. 1).

• Requires that the rules established by the executive director of the Fish and Game Department establish an administrative fee that the executive director may collect from payments made to the threatened and endangered species compensatory mitigation fund (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules regarding when mitigation payments to the threatened and endangered species compensatory mitigation fund are required (Sec. 1).

• Amends and modifies the definition of “environmental review” as it relates to native plant protection (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Environmental Services to build and maintain a database for providing environmental reviews and cataloging protected species to assist state agencies and departments that require environmental reviews (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules to establish a process for requesting a screening and environmental review (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the commissioner of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources from charging a fee for screening department records for instances of protected species or environmental reviews (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the commissioner of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources from using money collected under the Natural Heritage Bureau Fund to conduct environmental reviews (Sec. 1).

• Defines “boathouse” and “structural height” in the context of fill and dredge in wetlands statutes (Sec. 1).

• Increases the fees associated with shoreline terrain alteration applications and raises fees annually to coincide with inflation (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the Department of Environmental Services from issuing 40-day extension periods on excavation or dredging permit applications (Sec. 1).

• Establishes fees for applications for terrain alteration and requires the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules to establish a permit by notification for certain projects with plans encompassing an area less than 150,000 square feet (Sec. 1).

• Establishes structural requirements for existing and new boathouses located over public waters and penalties for violation thereof (Sec. 1).

• Defines "eligible student" for enrollment in the education freedom account program and adds definitions for "priority guidelines" and "enrollment cap." (Sec. 1).

• Requires scholarship organizations to accept and approve education freedom account applications on a rolling basis and sets an enrollment cap, excepting out priority guideline students from the cap (Sec. 1).

• Establishes an elderly, disabled, blind, and deaf exemption reimbursement fund (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the creation of a centralized voluntary statewide self-exclusion database for all forms of legal gambling in New Hampshire (Sec. 1).

• Amends and changes the name of the state lottery commission to the state lottery and gaming commission (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the operation of video lottery terminals and high-stakes tournaments (Sec. ).

• Authorizes the substance abuse enforcement program to make grants available for law enforcement agencies in Coos, Grafton, Carroll, and Sullivan counties for the costs of hiring additional officers to carry out law enforcement activities aimed at preventing or reducing opioid-related deaths and harms (Sec. 1).

• Repeals the requirement that the board of tax and land appeals have at least one review appraiser on staff (Sec. 1).

• Establishes the division of planning and community development in the Department of Business and Economic Affairs (Sec. 1).

• Amends and updates references to the state workforce innovation fund administered by the Department of Business and Economic Affairs and the statute authorizing state workforce innovation grants for job training through the Department of Economic Security (Sec. 1).

• Extends the time for which members of the state commission on aging may serve; directs the commission on aging to establish an advisory council on the system of care for healthy aging in New Hampshire; and establishes the New Hampshire commission on aging fund and makes an appropriation to the fund (Sec. 1).

• Establishes and grants budget transfer authority to the Department of Corrections (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services from the opioid abatement trust fund to provide year-round emergency shelter services to individuals with an opioid use disorder (Sec. 1).

• Extends the prospective repeals for exemption from certain transfer procedures and certain eligibility criteria for mental health services (Sec. 1).

• Limits and suspends graduate medical eligibility payments for the biennium (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment to suspend catastrophic aid payments to hospitals for the biennium.

• Amends and categorizes certain funding appropriated to the Department of Health and Human Services as restricted revenue and authorizes the department to accept and expend federal funds for that purpose (Sec. 1).

• Appropriates funds to the Department of Health and Human Services to fund the WIC farmers' market nutrition program (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to accept gifts for the benefit of the department (Sec. 1).

• Establishes certain unclassified positions within the Department of Health and Human Services (Sec. 1).

• Appropriates funding to the Department of Health and Human Services for congregate housing (Sec. 1).

• Amends and revises the appointment procedure for certain unclassified positions in the Department of Health and Human Services and repeals a mental health medical supervisor position (Sec. 1).

• Amends and revises criteria for pharmacists filling name-brand and generic drug prescriptions under the Medicaid program (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services’ chief medical officer to place standing orders for certain Medicaid-covered over-the-counter (non-legend) medications, medical supplies, and laboratory tests (Sec. 1).

• Limits the developmental services pilot program for young adults to current enrollees and makes an appropriation therefor (Sec. 1).

• Extends the effective date for expanded access to court-appointed counsel for children in dependency proceedings (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to file an amendment to the state Medicaid plan regarding prescription drug copayments (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to file no more than one Medicaid rate filing with the CMS in each fiscal year of the biennium (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to file a Medicaid waiver and state plan amendment to institute premiums based on income for individuals participating in the Granite Advantage health care program (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to file a Medicaid waiver and state plan amendment to institute premiums based on income for households with children participating in the Medicaid program (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to submit a report regarding its success in collecting certain premiums (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to restore income verification for Medicaid redetermination to pre-public health emergency income verification standards (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an additional appropriation to the Department of Health and Human Services if such funds are required to prevent a waitlist for child care scholarships (Sec. 1).

• Amends the title of certain positions in the Department of Information Technology (Sec. 1).

• Amends and revises the organizational structure of the bureaus within the Department of Justice, Division of Legal Counsel (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes and provides for payment of special education costs associated with out-of-home placements, grants from the public school infrastructure fund, and Department of Education operating costs from the Education Trust Fund (Sec. 1).

• Amends and clarifies the means of calculating average daily membership in attendance for the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the state board of education to modify determinations of education adequacy grant amounts (Sec. 1).

• Amends and changes the process through which counsel for indigent defendants may apply for reimbursement for services necessary to an adequate defense.

• Establishes the wage claim settlement fund (Sec. 1).

• Amends and changes the number of members on the workers’ compensation appeals board and makes changes in the proceedings (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a fee for unit owners to obtain a certificate of successful inspection of an elevator or accessibility lift (Sec. 1).

• Establishes that a civil penalty of greater than $2,500 for violations of certain unfair labor practices may be levied only if specifically authorized by law and allows the imposition of civil penalties for violations of workers' compensation laws and youth labor laws (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the funds in accounting unit 1051 shall not lapse until June 30, 2027 (Sec. 1).

• Requires that lapses in certain unspent funds be appropriated to the fire safety administration to the fire standards and training and emergency medical services fund (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the director of the Division of Motor Vehicles to authorize certain actions regarding a fictitious, facsimile, or simulated license to drive a motor vehicle (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the Department of Safety to disseminate driver history records to federal entities or their authorized agents in certain circumstances (Sec. 1).

• Specifies and designates the hazardous materials incident response coordinator as group II retirement-eligible during full-time service (Sec. 1).

• Amends and clarifies the division of fire standards and training and emergency medical services policy regarding the use of properly equipped vehicles to transport sick or injured individuals; removes a reference to the licensing of wheelchair vans and emergency medical dispatchers by the division; and repeals a requirement that the division establish an emergency communications network as such responsibility is handled by other state entities (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that membership in the retirement system is optional for the Department of Safety's chief of policy and planning (Sec. 1).

• Repeals the Benjamin Thompson trust fund (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the lapse of two revolving fund class lines in the operating budget (Sec. 1).

• Repeals and suspends revenue sharing with cities and towns under RSA 31-A (Sec. 1).

• Repeals certain wastewater state aid grants (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that further information is required for well monitoring reports (Sec. 1).

• Repeals and eliminates certain fees for the construction of sewerage systems (Sec. ).

• Repeals the aquatic invasive species decal (Sec. 11)..

• Authorizes the Department of Environmental Services to accept an easement from the abutting property owners of all rights necessary for access, and to store equipment during repair, reconstruction, maintenance, and operation of Pequawket Dam, Horn Pond Dam, and Souhegan Site #35 for the consideration of $1 (Sec. 1).

• Expands the type of educational degree a person may have to serve as a division director for the Department of Environmental Services (Sec. 1).

• Amends and varies the types of experience in public health that members of the Air Resources Council may have (Sec. 1).

• Amends and reconfigures some criteria to serve on the waste management council.

• Amends and reconfigures some criteria to serve on the Water Council and the Wetlands Council (Sec. 1).

• Increases dam registration fees and sewage disposal fees (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes all such moneys over $100,000 made available, after designation by the governor and council, to be expended by the proper persons or agencies in the state government only with the prior approval of the joint legislative fiscal committee (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes every department as defined in RSA 9:1 to transfer funds within and among all accounting units within said department, with the approval of the commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the governor to accept public funds, gifts, grants, donations, or any other source of funds for the care, maintenance, repair, and additions to the bridge house.

• Amends the duties of the capital project overview committee to capital projects instead of capital budget projects (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the continual and non-lapsing surplus distribution section administrative assessments fund (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes state agencies to use funds in appropriate budget classes to pay any penalties, fines, interest, or other costs (Sec. 1).

• costs imposed on the state of New Hampshire by the NH retirement system or by the IRS after exhausting any relevant appeal process (Sec. 1).

• Increases the maximum ticket price for lottery drawings (Sec. 1).

• Amends and delineates the criteria for distribution and transfers of certain tax revenues and other fund proceeds (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that specifies regulations relating to New Hampshire's 2025-26 and 2026-27 budgets.

Highlights:

• Amends and adds new definitions to the Endangered Species Conservation Act (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules and review procedures such that actions of state agencies do not jeopardize the existence or habitats of species protected under the Endangered Species Conservation Act (Sec. 1).

• Establishes an environmental scientist position within the Department of Environmental Services to ensure that state agencies do not jeopardize the existence or habitats of species protected under the Endangered Species Conservation Act (Sec. 1).

• Requires that the rules established by the executive director of the Fish and Game Department establish an administrative fee that the executive director may collect from payments made to the threatened and endangered species compensatory mitigation fund (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules regarding when mitigation payments to the threatened and endangered species compensatory mitigation fund are required (Sec. 1).

• Amends and modifies the definition of “environmental review” as it relates to native plant protection (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Environmental Services to build and maintain a database for providing environmental reviews and cataloging protected species to assist state agencies and departments that require environmental reviews (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules to establish a process for requesting a screening and environmental review (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the commissioner of the Adds new definitions to the Endangered Species Conservation Act (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules and review procedures such that actions of state agencies do not jeopardize the existence or habitats of species protected under the Endangered Species Conservation Act (Sec. 1).

• Establishes an environmental scientist position within the Department of Environmental Services to ensure that state agencies do not jeopardize the existence or habitats of species protected under the Endangered Species Conservation Act (Sec. 1).

• Requires that the rules established by the executive director of the Fish and Game Department establish an administrative fee that the executive director may collect from payments made to the threatened and endangered species compensatory mitigation fund (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules regarding when mitigation payments to the threatened and endangered species compensatory mitigation fund are required (Sec. 1).

• Amends and modifies the definition of “environmental review” as it relates to native plant protection (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Environmental Services to build and maintain a database for providing environmental reviews and cataloging protected species to assist state agencies and departments that require environmental reviews (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules to establish a process for requesting a screening and environmental review (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the commissioner of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources from charging a fee for screening department records for instances of protected species or environmental reviews (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the commissioner of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources from using money collected under the Natural Heritage Bureau Fund to conduct environmental reviews (Sec. 1).

• Defines “boathouse” and “structural height” in the context of fill and dredge in wetlands statutes (Sec. 1).

• Increases the fees associated with shoreline terrain alteration applications and raises fees annually to coincide with inflation (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the Department of Environmental Services from issuing 40-day extension periods on excavation or dredging permit applications (Sec. 1).

• Establishes fees for applications for terrain alteration and requires the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules to establish a permit by notification for certain projects with plans encompassing an area less than 150,000 square feet (Sec. 1).

• Establishes structural requirements for existing and new boathouses located over public waters and penalties for violation thereof (Sec. 1).

• Defines "eligible student" for enrollment in the education freedom account program and adds definitions for "priority guidelines" and "enrollment cap." (Sec. 1).

• Requires scholarship organizations to accept and approve education freedom account applications on a rolling basis and sets an enrollment cap, excepting out priority guideline students from the cap (Sec. 1).

• Establishes an elderly, disabled, blind, and deaf exemption reimbursement fund (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the creation of a centralized voluntary statewide self-exclusion database for all forms of legal gambling in New Hampshire (Sec. 1).

• Amends and changes the name of the state lottery commission to the state lottery and gaming commission (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the operation of video lottery terminals and high-stakes tournaments (Sec. ).

• Authorizes the substance abuse enforcement program to make grants available for law enforcement agencies in Coos, Grafton, Carroll, and Sullivan counties for the costs of hiring additional officers to carry out law enforcement activities aimed at preventing or reducing opioid-related deaths and harms (Sec. 1).

• Repeals the requirement that the board of tax and land appeals have at least one review appraiser on staff (Sec. 1).

• Establishes the division of planning and community development in the Department of Business and Economic Affairs (Sec. 1).

• Amends and updates references to the state workforce innovation fund administered by the Department of Business and Economic Affairs and the statute authorizing state workforce innovation grants for job training through the Department of Economic Security (Sec. 1).

• Extends the time for which members of the state commission on aging may serve; directs the commission on aging to establish an advisory council on the system of care for healthy aging in New Hampshire; and establishes the New Hampshire commission on aging fund and makes an appropriation to the fund (Sec. 1).

• Establishes and grants budget transfer authority to the Department of Corrections (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services from the opioid abatement trust fund to provide year-round emergency shelter services to individuals with an opioid use disorder (Sec. 1).

• Extends the prospective repeals for exemption from certain transfer procedures and certain eligibility criteria for mental health services (Sec. 1).

• Limits and suspends graduate medical eligibility payments for the biennium (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment to suspend catastrophic aid payments to hospitals for the biennium.

• Amends and categorizes certain funding appropriated to the Department of Health and Human Services as restricted revenue and authorizes the department to accept and expend federal funds for that purpose (Sec. 1).

• Appropriates funds to the Department of Health and Human Services to fund the WIC farmers' market nutrition program (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to accept gifts for the benefit of the department (Sec. 1).

• Establishes certain unclassified positions within the Department of Health and Human Services (Sec. 1).

• Appropriates funding to the Department of Health and Human Services for congregate housing (Sec. 1).

• Amends and revises the appointment procedure for certain unclassified positions in the Department of Health and Human Services and repeals a mental health medical supervisor position (Sec. 1).

• Amends and revises criteria for pharmacists filling name-brand and generic drug prescriptions under the Medicaid program (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services’ chief medical officer to place standing orders for certain Medicaid-covered over-the-counter (non-legend) medications, medical supplies, and laboratory tests (Sec. 1).

• Limits the developmental services pilot program for young adults to current enrollees and makes an appropriation therefor (Sec. 1).

• Extends the effective date for expanded access to court-appointed counsel for children in dependency proceedings (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to file an amendment to the state Medicaid plan regarding prescription drug copayments (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to file no more than one Medicaid rate filing with the CMS in each fiscal year of the biennium (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to file a Medicaid waiver and state plan amendment to institute premiums based on income for individuals participating in the Granite Advantage health care program (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to file a Medicaid waiver and state plan amendment to institute premiums based on income for households with children participating in the Medicaid program (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to submit a report regarding its success in collecting certain premiums (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to restore income verification for Medicaid redetermination to pre-public health emergency income verification standards (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an additional appropriation to the Department of Health and Human Services if such funds are required to prevent a waitlist for child care scholarships (Sec. 1).

• Amends the title of certain positions in the Department of Information Technology (Sec. 1).

• Amends and revises the organizational structure of the bureaus within the Department of Justice, Division of Legal Counsel (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes and provides for payment of special education costs associated with out-of-home placements, grants from the public school infrastructure fund, and Department of Education operating costs from the Education Trust Fund (Sec. 1).

• Amends and clarifies the means of calculating average daily membership in attendance for the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the state board of education to modify determinations of education adequacy grant amounts (Sec. 1).

• Amends and changes the process through which counsel for indigent defendants may apply for reimbursement for services necessary to an adequate defense.

• Establishes the wage claim settlement fund (Sec. 1).

• Amends and changes the number of members on the workers’ compensation appeals board and makes changes in the proceedings (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a fee for unit owners to obtain a certificate of successful inspection of an elevator or accessibility lift (Sec. 1).

• Establishes that a civil penalty of greater than $2,500 for violations of certain unfair labor practices may be levied only if specifically authorized by law and allows the imposition of civil penalties for violations of workers' compensation laws and youth labor laws (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the funds in accounting unit 1051 shall not lapse until June 30, 2027 (Sec. 1).

• Requires that lapses in certain unspent funds be appropriated to the fire safety administration to the fire standards and training and emergency medical services fund (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the director of the Division of Motor Vehicles to authorize certain actions regarding a fictitious, facsimile, or simulated license to drive a motor vehicle (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the Department of Safety to disseminate driver history records to federal entities or their authorized agents in certain circumstances (Sec. 1).

• Specifies and designates the hazardous materials incident response coordinator as group II retirement-eligible during full-time service (Sec. 1).

• Amends and clarifies the division of fire standards and training and emergency medical services policy regarding the use of properly equipped vehicles to transport sick or injured individuals; removes a reference to the licensing of wheelchair vans and emergency medical dispatchers by the division; and repeals a requirement that the division establish an emergency communications network as such responsibility is handled by other state entities (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that membership in the retirement system is optional for the Department of Safety's chief of policy and planning (Sec. 1).

• Repeals the Benjamin Thompson trust fund (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the lapse of two revolving fund class lines in the operating budget (Sec. 1).

• Repeals and suspends revenue sharing with cities and towns under RSA 31-A (Sec. 1).

• Repeals certain wastewater state aid grants (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that further information is required for well monitoring reports (Sec. 1).

• Repeals and eliminates certain fees for the construction of sewerage systems (Sec. ).

• Repeals the aquatic invasive species decal (Sec. 11)..

• Authorizes the Department of Environmental Services to accept an easement from the abutting property owners of all rights necessary for access, and to store equipment during repair, reconstruction, maintenance, and operation of Pequawket Dam, Horn Pond Dam, and Souhegan Site #35 for the consideration of $1 (Sec. 1).

• Expands the type of educational degree a person may have to serve as a division director for the Department of Environmental Services (Sec. 1).

• Amends and varies the types of experience in public health that members of the Air Resources Council may have (Sec. 1).

• Amends and reconfigures some criteria to serve on the waste management council.

• Amends and reconfigures some criteria to serve on the Water Council and the Wetlands Council (Sec. 1).

• Increases dam registration fees and sewage disposal fees (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes all such moneys over $100,000 made available, after designation by the governor and council, to be expended by the proper persons or agencies in the state government only with the prior approval of the joint legislative fiscal committee (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes every department as defined in RSA 9:1 to transfer funds within and among all accounting units within said department, with the approval of the commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the governor to accept public funds, gifts, grants, donations, or any other source of funds for the care, maintenance, repair, and additions to the bridge house.

• Amends the duties of the capital project overview committee to capital projects instead of capital budget projects (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the continual and non-lapsing surplus distribution section administrative assessments fund (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes state agencies to use funds in appropriate budget classes to pay any penalties, fines, interest, or other costs (Sec. 1).

• costs imposed on the state of New Hampshire by the NH retirement system or by the IRS after exhausting any relevant appeal process (Sec. 1).

• Increases the maximum ticket price for lottery drawings (Sec. 1).

• Amends and delineates the criteria for distribution and transfers of certain tax revenues and other fund proceeds (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text