March 28, 2019 Contact Name: Sara Persechino Phone: (603) 271-3479 Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 290-FN, 14-10, which would make improvements to the New Hampshire Granite Advantage Health Care Program, clarifying the work and community engagement requirement. Prime sponsor Senator Cindy Rosenwald (D-Nashua) released the following statement after the vote: “With the Trump administration’s continued efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, it is incumbent upon every New Hampshire legislator to put systems in place to protect the health and wellbeing of Granite Staters. SB 290-FN clarifies and improves the bipartisan work and commu
March 28, 2019 Contact Name: Sara Persechino Phone: (603) 271-3479 Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 168. This bill increases new solar in New Hampshire to 5.4% of our renewable portfolio standards, which requires electric suppliers to get their electricity generation from specific renewable sources. Prime sponsor Senator Dan Feltes (D-Concord) released the following statement after the vote: “New Hampshire is currently in a competitive disadvantage with surrounding states outpacing our investments in the solar industry. By ramping up new solar in New Hampshire to 5.4% of our renewable portfolio standards by 2025, SB 168 takes the equiva
March 28, 2019 Contact Name: Sara Persechino Phone: (603) 271-3479 Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 165, relative to net energy metering by low-moderate income community solar projects. Prime sponsor Senator Dan Feltes (D-Concord) released the following statement after the vote: “It’s time to build an economy that works for everyone, expands solar savings to everyone, and combats climate change. SB 165 builds on bipartisan legislation passed two years ago to establish community solar projects in New Hampshire and will give everyone access to the benefits of solar power, including people who live in manufactured home parks and multi-fami
March 28, 2019 Contact Name: Sara Persechino Phone: (603) 271-3479 Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 106 and SB 156, closing loopholes in election law that will increase transparency and accountability. SB 106 revises the definition of political expenditure and political advocacy organization to require those that make expenditures, relating to a particular candidate, within 60 days before a primary or general election, to disclose who they are, where the money comes from, and what the money is being spent on. SB 156 closes the LLC contribution loophole and requires that a political contribution by a limited liability company be allocate
March 28, 2019 Contact Name: Sara Persechino Phone: (603) 271-3479 Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 67, 14-10. The bill is designed to address concerns with HB 1264, which was enacted in 2018 and changed the definition of “residency” in New Hampshire to omit the phrase “for the indefinite future” and, in doing so, aimed to link this new “residency” standard to the “domicile” standard that is used to determine voter eligibility under New Hampshire law. Prime sponsor Senator Melanie Levesque (D-Nashua) released the following statement after the vote: “In today’s mobile society, more students attend college out-of-state and service personn
March 28, 2019 Contact Name: Sara Persechino Phone: (603) 271-3479 Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire Senate voted 14-10 in favor of SB 8, the Independent Redistricting Act. SB 8 would establish an independent redistricting commission, made up of members of the public, which would draw boundaries for state and federal elections in New Hampshire. Prime sponsor Senator Shannon Chandley (D-Amherst) released the following statement after the vote: “The will of voters is easily distorted when partisan lines are drawn and elected officials decide which Granite Staters have the opportunity to vote for them. Our democracy needs a system in which voters choose the
March 27, 2019 Contacts: Sara Persechino Phone: (603) 271-3479 Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us CONCORD, NH—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 260-FN, which directs the NH Department of Health and Human Services to develop a prescription drug assistance program to pay out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for seniors who have reached the gap in standard Medicare Part D coverage. Senator Feltes (D-Concord), prime sponsor of SB 260-FN, released the following statement after the vote: “Many New Hampshire seniors struggle with prescription drug costs and fall into the so-called donut hole where they don’t have prescription drug coverage under Medicare Part D and can’t afford the med
March 27, 2019 Contact Name: Sara Persechino Phone: (603) 271-3479 Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 314, relative to the release of a defendant pending trial. Prime sponsor Senator Martha Hennessey (D-Hanover) released the following statement after the vote: “Last year’s bipartisan bail reform bill set about to accomplish three key goals – to prevent people from being detained pre-trial simply because they cannot afford cash bail, to expand prosecutors’ ability to detain people pre-trial without bail if they are a danger to themselves or others, and protect property tax payers from needlessly footing the bill for people in prison pre-tr
New Hampshire Senate Democrats Fight to Protect Health Care Access for People with Pre-existing Cond
March 27, 2019 Contacts: Sara Persechino Phone: (603) 271-3479 Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us CONCORD, NH—Today, the New Hampshire Senate voted 22-1 to pass SB 4, an important backstop to the Affordable Care Act that enshrines into state law health insurance coverage protections for people with pre-existing conditions and essential health benefits, including maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance use disorder services, preventive and wellness services, and more. Following the vote, Senator Dan Feltes (D-Concord), Senator Dr. Tom Sherman (D-Rye), and Senator Cindy Rosenwald (D-Nashua) released the following statements: "The Trump administration’s relentless attempts t
Senator Sherman Applauds NH Senate’s Approval of Effort to Restrict Use of Restraints to Transport P
March 27, 2019 Contact Name: Sara Persechino Phone: (603) 271-3479 Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 177, which would restrict the use of physical restraints on persons who are involuntarily committed. Prime sponsor Senator Dr. Tom Sherman (D-Rye), who served on a study committee to examine the use of physical restraints on people who are involuntarily committed while service as a state representative, released the following statement after the vote: “Shackles and handcuffs stigmatize a population that is already misunderstood and marginalized. SB 177 is a critical step toward decriminalizing mental illness by shifting the decision-makin
Senator Feltes Leads Letter to Governor Sununu Urging Him to Join Lawsuit to Block President Trump&#
March 25, 2019 Contact Name: Sara Persechino Phone: (603) 271-3479 Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us CONCORD—Today, Senate Majority Leader Dan Feltes led Senators Martha Fuller Clark, David Watters, Jon Morgan, and Dr. Tom Sherman in a letter to Governor Chris Sununu urging him to direct the Attorney General of New Hampshire to join the lawsuit filed by sixteen other states challenging President Trump's emergency declaration. The emergency declaration threatens to raid $224 million in funding for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The Senators are urging the Governor to join this lawsuit because the declaration is not constitutional and could hurt both the Shipyard and American national sec
March 22, 2019 Contact Name: Sara Persechino Phone: (603) 271-3479 Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us CONCORD—Yesterday, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 258, which would expand telemedicine in New Hampshire. This bill allows primary care physicians and pediatricians to bill Medicaid and private insurers for telemedicine services, previously only allowed by health care specialists. It also allows billing for in-home patient monitoring, as well as storing and forwarding of information for examinations. Prime sponsor Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene) released the following statement after the vote: “Telemedicine expansion is important not just for rural health care delivery. It will accelerate
March 21, 2019 Contact Name: Sara Persechino Phone: (603) 271-3479 Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 310, relative to casino gambling. Near the end of session, Senator D’Allesandro moved to take the bill of the table, and after a motion of “Inexpedient to Legislate” was defeated, SB 310 was passed with an amendment, 13-11. Senator Lou D’Allesandro (D-Manchester), prime sponsor of SB 310, released the following statement after the vote: “Gambling is happening all around us but New Hampshire is seeing none of the benefits. Today the Senate recognized the state’s persistent need for revenue and pushed forward with a way to do that in a non-
March 21, 2019 Contact Name: Sara Persechino Phone: (603) 271-3479 Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 247-FN, establishing a sunny-day fund in the department of business and economic affairs. Ten million in revenue in excess of the revenue stabilization reserve account cap shall be credited to the sunny day fund, for use over the next 5 years. Senator Jeanne Dietsch (D-Peterborough), prime sponsor of SB 247, released the following statement after the vote: “By funding innovation grants and university research grants the Sunny-Day Fund would increase innovation, competitiveness, productivity, and workforce attraction. My company was able t
NH Senate Moves Forward with Expanded Eligibility for MEAD (Medicaid for Employed Adults with Disabi
March 21, 2019 Contact Name: Sara Persechino Phone: (603) 271-3479 Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 259-FN, to expand eligibility for the Medicaid for employed adults with disabilities act (MEAD). Prime sponsor Senator Watters (D-Dover) released the following statement after the vote: “New Hampshire’s MEAD program allows workers with disabilities to keep their Medicaid coverage even as they work. However, once the worker turns 65, they are forced to choose between continue to work or keeping their Medicaid coverage. SB 259 is an important step forward to ensure people with disabilities who wish to continue to work past their retirement
Senate Passes SB 230, Staff for NH Attorney General’s Office to Strengthen Election law, Campaign Fi
March 21, 2019 Contacts: Sara Persechino Phone: (603) 271-3479 Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us CONCORD, NH—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 230, requiring the Attorney General to hire staff to supervise election law, campaign finance law, and lobbying matters. Senator Dan Feltes (D-Concord), prime sponsor of SB 230, released the following statement after the vote: “If we’re serious about election law, campaign finance reform, and lobbying law enforcement, we need the staff to do the enforcement. Today’s passage of SB 230 is a critical step forward to ensure the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office has the resources to enforce our laws and ensure there is the necessary over
Senate Approves Legislation to Exclude Lobbying and Political Activity from the Rates of Public Util
March 21, 2019 Contacts: Sara Persechino Phone: (603) 271-3479 Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us CONCORD, NH—Today, the New Hampshire Senate voted 24-0 to pass SB 206, excluding the cost of lobbying and political activity from the rates of public utilities. Senator Dan Feltes (D-Concord), prime sponsor of SB 206, released the following statement after the vote: “New Hampshire energy ratepayers can’t afford to be subsidizing political activity. SB 206 is a common sense reform that will make sure the costs of lobbying and candidate contributions are not part of Granite Staters’ energy bills.”
March 21, 2019 Contact Name: Sara Persechino Phone: (603) 271-3479 Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 10, 14-10, to re-establish and raise New Hampshire’s minimum wage. The legislation would raise the minimum wage to $10/hour in 2020 and $12 or $11/hour in 2021 depending upon additional benefits provided by employers, like paid sick days. SB 10 also sets the tipped minimum wage at $4/hour, with workers making below the new minimum wage with tips being compensated for the difference by their employer. Prime sponsor Senator Soucy (D-Manchester) released the following statement after the vote: “When it comes to ensuring decent wages for our
March 21, 2019 Contact Name: Sara Persechino Phone: (603) 271-3479 Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us CONCORD—Today, Senate Majority Leader Dan Feltes (D-Concord) responded to a press conference hosted by Governor Sununu regarding his pet project budget. “While I respect the mayors who are advocating for their cities, New Hampshire needs to craft a budget that works for all communities – not just special projects for the politically well-connected,” said Senator Dan Feltes (D-Concord). Senator Feltes added: “Rather than real property tax relief for municipalities and New Hampshire homeowners, Governor Sununu is promising sports fields and skate parks. The governor’s proposed pork barrel
March 20, 2019 Contact Name: Sara Persechino Phone: (603) 271-3479 Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 219-142 to pass SB 1, establishing paid family and medical leave insurance. Senator Dan Feltes (D-Concord), prime sponsor of SB 1, released the following statement after the vote: “At this point there is only one roadblock to paid family and medical leave becoming a reality in New Hampshire—Governor Chris Sununu. The governor shouldn’t stand in the way of bipartisan legislation that’s been worked on for several years that creates a public-private partnership for paid leave. It’s time to pick a side. My hope is Governor Sunun