Thursday brought one of the busier days of the spring session, with both chambers active. The House killed a bill that would have maintained state-level funding for food assistance if federal support faltered, and shelved two separate landfill-related bills. Meanwhile, the Senate cleared more than a dozen amended bills by concurring with House changes, and nearly every recorded vote in the Senate fell along a 14-8 party-line split.
Killed
-
SB603 — Would have ensured state-level funding continuity for SNAP (food stamps) if federal funding were disrupted. The House voted 186-158 to kill it.
-
HB1478 — Would have required the Department of Environmental Services to revise and strengthen rules for proposed new landfills, including groundwater and community protections. Referred to interim study 13-9.
-
HB1189 — Would have created a formal committee to evaluate proposed solid waste facility sites, giving communities a structured process to weigh in on where landfills and waste operations are located. Referred to interim study.
-
SB422 — Would have modified the membership of the Governor’s Commission on Addiction, Treatment, and Prevention. The House voted 183-156 to kill it.
-
HB1601 — Would have required the Secretary of State to create a voter education program informing residents about recent changes to voting laws. Referred to interim study.
2 others killed today, mostly procedural.
On the Move
-
SB548: Establishes standards for contracts between health insurers and healthcare providers — affecting what doctors get paid and what patients can access — moved from committee to active after Senate concurred with House amendment.
-
SB610: Requires public comment opportunities before long-term care facilities raise rates, giving families and residents a voice in cost decisions — moved from committee to active after Senate concurred.
-
SB589: Addresses port electrification, microgrid development, and cybersecurity standards for energy and water systems — moved from committee to active after Senate concurred.
-
SB540: Clarifies the regulatory status of portable solar devices (for camping, RVs, or temporary use) so they aren’t subject to utility-scale permitting — moved from committee to active.
-
SB644: Requires background checks for owners of solid waste and hazardous waste facilities — passed the House on a voice vote and advanced.
-
SB464: Modifies how civil rights are enforced in NH — moved from committee to active after Senate concurred with House amendment.
Notable Votes
Senate votes on Thursday were nearly uniformly 14-8 along party lines. Notable exceptions and close calls:
-
HB1252 — Mandates commercial driver’s license tests be given only in English, with no interpreter allowed. Passed the Senate 14-8 on a party-line vote. Previously passed the House 194-156.
-
SB603 — SNAP funding backstop killed 186-158 in the House.
-
SB481 — Concerning the sale of the former Sununu Youth Services Center property. Passed the House 186-157.
-
SB669 — On-premises licensing for barbershops and salons. A motion to reconsider an interim study referral failed by just two votes, 147-196 (the motion needed a majority to succeed), making it one of the day’s closest margins.
-
HB1374 — Changes procedures for towns withdrawing from cooperative school districts, potentially making it easier for dissatisfied towns to leave regional systems. Passed the Senate 14-8 on a party-line vote.
To see how your representatives voted, visit nhpolitics.org/find-your-rep.