Died on Table, Session ended 10/10/2024 HJ 17
Died on Table, Session ended 10/10/2024 HJ 17
Died on Table, Session ended 10/10/2024 HJ 17
This bill directs the New Hampshire Department of Energy to conduct a study on the benefits and risks of supporting clean or non-carbon emitting power generation. The investigation must examine topics such as customer costs, grid reliability, cybersecurity, and how other states handle clean energy standards. After consulting with utilities and other stakeholders, the department is required to submit a report to the legislature within one year offering recommendations on financial and regulatory support. The bill aims to balance economic growth, energy security, and electricity rates for existing customers.
This bill would require New Hampshire schools to provide at least one free meal daily to every student whose family income is at or below 350 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. To support this requirement, the state would use funds from the education trust fund to pay for the meals, ensuring that school districts do not bear the full cost. The legislation also directs the state board of education to set minimum nutritional standards and clarify the income thresholds used to determine eligibility. Although the bill was introduced to expand access to free school lunches, it ultimately did not become law as the session ended without final passage.
This New Hampshire House Concurrent Resolution formally applies to the U.S. Congress to call a limited constitutional convention for the sole purpose of proposing an amendment to protect free and fair elections. The bill argues that current election systems are imbalanced due to special interest influence and cites Supreme Court rulings as a reason for needing constitutional reform. It specifies that delegates to this potential convention would be current state and local officials or elected representatives, while explicitly barring anyone currently or formerly holding federal office from serving. The resolution also commits New Hampshire to work with other states that have passed similar applications until two-thirds of the states have applied, which would trigger the convention.
HB 1683, titled the Children's Body Autonomy Act, would have restricted coverage of circumcision under New Hampshire's Medicaid plan to cases deemed medically necessary. The bill defines specific medical conditions for newborns and minors that would qualify for coverage, such as recurrent urinary tract infections, certain congenital anomalies, and specific infections or obstructions. Additionally, it requires health care providers to obtain pre-authorization before performing any covered circumcision. Although the bill included definitions for health care providers and children, it did not become law as it died on the table when the legislative session ended in October 2024.
This bill proposes to double the annual amount of money taken from the real estate transfer tax and sent to the affordable housing fund, increasing the contribution from $5 million to $10 million. The change would directly affect the state's budget by shifting $5 million less from the general fund and education trust fund to the affordable housing fund each year starting July 1, 2025. The legislation does not alter who pays the tax or how the fund is used, but rather changes the specific portion of tax revenue that must be allocated to housing projects.
This bill proposes amending the state constitution to require a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers before passing laws that create new taxes, increase existing taxes, or issue state bonds. It also mandates that the legislature must set aside funds from the general budget to pay interest and principal on any state debt. If approved by voters, these changes would make it more difficult to raise revenue through taxation and would ensure that debt payments are prioritized in the state budget. The bill is currently procedural, as it was submitted for a vote but did not pass before the legislative session ended.
This bill would require municipalities to send any excess money collected from the statewide education property tax to the state's education trust fund instead of keeping it locally. It also prohibits the state revenue commissioner from setting negative tax rates on real property to offset other taxes. These changes aim to ensure that surplus education funds are directed toward the state education trust while preventing specific tax rate adjustments. Although the bill was introduced, it was laid on the table and did not become law during the 2024 legislative session.
This bill is a resolution expressing support for a federal proposal called the "Dignity Through Prosperity Act," which aims to help people with permanent health conditions. The resolution directs New Hampshire's federal representatives to advocate for this federal legislation, which would extend design patent terms to individuals described as "eternally embrittled" by their health issues. By supporting this federal measure, the bill seeks to provide long-term financial stability and reduce reliance on public assistance for those with enduring health challenges.
HB 1292 proposes to expand health insurance coverage under the state retiree plan to include dependent children aged 19 to 25 who are full-time students, in addition to minors and disabled children. The bill would require these eligible young adults to pay a premium equal to the full cost of the plan benefits to maintain their coverage. Although the legislation also mentions federal immigration enforcement in its title, the provided text only details changes to insurance eligibility rules. Ultimately, the measure did not become law as it was laid on the table and died when the legislative session ended.
