Granite State Times

The New Hampshire General Court has resumed its sessions after a brief recess, preparing for the upcoming Crossover Deadlines. By March 27, the Senate must pass bills to the House, while the House has until April 10 to send legislation to the Senate. This process will continue until late June when lawmakers aim to finalize pending bills and resolve differences.

Governor Ayotte introduced her two-year budget proposal in February, emphasizing efficiency and cost reduction without introducing new taxes. The proposed budget allocates $16.5 billion in spending over two years, an increase from the current $15.2 billion. NFIB NH commended this focus on fiscal responsibility and expressed hope for continued business tax cuts.

The governor's budget anticipates a quick recovery in business tax revenue and predicts a smaller deficit than other projections suggest. Some legislators expect a wider deficit and lower revenue, raising questions about future financial forecasts.

NFIB NH is closely monitoring several legislative proposals:

- HB 299 would have allowed attorney fees in workers’ compensation cases but was deemed inexpedient.

- HB 378 mandates payout of unused vacation time under certain conditions; it faced opposition due to potential financial strain.

- HB 379 proposes restrictions on work hours for minors during school weeks; it also received opposition.

- HB 487 requires advance notice of work schedules for employees; it was opposed by NFIB NH.

- HB 503 seeks to reverse past tax reforms, increasing various taxes; NFIB NH opposed this bill.

- HB 542 aims to raise unemployment insurance payouts but could trigger tax hikes; it was opposed.

- HF 744 proposes increasing disability workers’ comp claims payouts, potentially raising premiums; it faced opposition.

- SB 176 suggests setting a statewide minimum wage at $15/hour by July 2026; analysis indicates potential negative impacts on employment metrics.

SB 246, known as "Momnibus 2.0," supports working mothers with newborns but faced criticism from business groups like NFIB NH for potentially disrupting employer-employee relationships.

SB 256 addresses Pharmacy Benefit Managers' practices regarding specialty drugs delivery and handling. It aims to balance patient access with cost-effective drug administration settings. NFIB NH supported this bill as it could enhance health coverage value while controlling drug costs.