2016 Efforts

The Council continues to monitor legislation that falls under the Fix it Five Areas of policy concern: (1) promote and facilitate access to capital, (2) promote state level funding for innovation, (3) support for STEM education and workforce development, (4) attention to a competitive tax climate (5) attention to a non-burdensome regulatory environment.

June 2016

Michellineby Michelline Dufort, NHHTC, Director of Business Relations

The 2016 legislative session is now behind us. Much of the debate and discussion, and political capital, were placed on human service issues, namely the state’s opioid crisis and the expansion of the NH Health Protection Program (a.k.a. Medicaid Expansion).

The Council continued to monitor and weigh in on issues that affected tech companies’ way of doing business throughout the session and into the Committees of Conference process, which is when final “deals” are made on hanging on to bills from handpicked legislative committees composed of members from both parties.

To view where priority legislative issues for the Council landed, visit our Legislative Priorities Tracker below.

Meanwhile, all of the posturing has led to a stage setting for vast changes in our state’s legislative body. In the current NH Senate, the Republicans hold the majority (14-10), however, eight members are not seeking re-election; two of them are Democrats and six are Republicans. While the Republicans will fight to hold their four seat majority, it is widely acknowledged that many districts are gearing up to look like competitive races. Regardless of party outcome, this will change the legislative landscape dramatically.

In the NH House, the Republicans hold a 79 seat majority, (235-160), but the upcoming elections will here, too, prove to be interesting. In recent years, the House has gone through massive swings, and the presidential elections will have a strong bearing on overall results.

Given that the tech sector in New Hampshire is crucial to our state’s future economic growth, the Council will be working with all elected members of both houses to educate and familiarize them with not only the sector’s impact, but the Council’s role and areas of concern. The Council will be holding member meetings in the fall in different districts, and will be inviting current legislators to listen as we do an intake on areas of interest and priorities with current and prospective members.

Given the impending elections, the Council will be holding a Town Hall Forum for the gubernatorial candidates on September 7, and a later Forum with candidates for US Congress.

What does all of this mean? It’s a time of change, and the Council is preparing to be at the ready with legislative efforts that will support innovation, funding and growth of the industry. It also means the broader and deeper input, the better. We encourage Council members to share specific legislative concerns and consider joining our Legislative Affairs Committee. Please be sure to reach out to me directly at michelline@cooksonstrategies.com if interested.

 

(1) Regulatory/Administration (2) Taxes & Fees (3) Access to Capital (4) NH Business Innovation/Promotion (5) Identifying & Building a Skilled Workforce – Priority Key: 1-actively lobby, 2-passively lobby, 3 – monitor

Bill Number

Bill title/purpose

Sponsor

CommitteeCategory

Priority

 
 BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW     
HB1696Re-authorization of the Healthcare Expansion ProgramRep. Joel Lachance (R – Manchester)House Health Human Serv

4

2

Signed into Law
HB1290Aligns NH filing dates for business taxes with federal dates, request of Dept of AdminRep. Norman Major (R – Plaistow)House Ways & Means

2

3

Signed into law
SB342Makes changes to BPT provisions affecting a business organization when owners sell or exchange ownership interestsRep. Jeb Bradley
(R – Wolfeboro)
House Ways & Means

2

1 – support concept

Enrolled
SB405Clarifies and makes changes to the limited liability companies operating agreements and the rights of LLC membersSen. Jeb Bradley
(R-Wolfeboro)
House Commerce

2

1 – support

Enrolled
HCR12Urging support of the 65/25 initiativeRep. Wayne Burton (D – Durham)Sen. Rules, Enrolled Bills & Internal Affairs

5

2

Enrolled
HB1198Valuation of utility poles and conduits for property tax purposesRep. Patrick Abrami (R – Stratham)Senate Ways & Means

2

3

Enrolled
HB1289Makes technical corrections to certain tax laws, request of Dept of AdminRep. Norman Major (R-Plaistow)House Ways & Means

2

3

Enrolled
SB429Changing statutory references from “Workplace Investment Act” to the “Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act”Sen. Dan Feltes
(D – Concord)

House Rules

1

3

Enrolled
HB1697Requiring the Dept of Safety to regulate the operation and insurance of transportation network companiesRep. Hunt
(R-Rindge)
Senate Transportation

5

2

Enrolled
HB2016Capitol Corridor inclusion in 10 year plan$4m for CC project study included in the 10 year transportation planSenate Transportatoin

5

2

Enrolled
 NO ACTION BILLS     
HB1252Allowing companies to pay employees weekly or biweeklyRep. Laurie Sanborn (R – Bedford)Senate Commerce

1

1 -support

Laid on the table, no pending motion
HB1385Regarding the sale of exchange of an interest in a business organization under the BPTRep. Patricia Lovejoy
(D -Stratham)
Senate Ways & Means

2 or 4

1-support concept

Non-Concurrence in C of C
HB602Drone legislationRep. Neal Kurk
(R – Weare)
Senate Judiciary

4

2

Non-Concurrence in C of C
 BILLS KILLED FOR 2016     
HB1376Requires employers to offer permanent work to temporary workers after six months of full time temp workRep. Michael Cahill (D – Newmarket)House Labor

1

1 – oppose

ITL’d in House
HB1442Allows JLCAR to object to proposed agency rulesRep. Laurie Sanborn (R-Bedford)House EDA

1

1 – monitor

ITL’d in House
HB1443Allows the DRA to use averages in reasonable compensation and shifts burden of proof to the businessRep. Susan Almay (D-Lebanon)House Ways & Means

2

1-oppose

ITL’d in House
HB1218Levies penalities on officers who fail to post notice on the sale of shares in a corporationRep. James Belanger (R-Hollis)House Judiciary

1

2

ITL’d in House
HB1258Provides exemptions from the BPT and BET for new businesses, for three years, with certain conditionsRep. Benjamin Baroody
(D-Mancester)
House Ways & Means

4

2

ITL’d in House
HB1262Allowing home-based businesses in residential zoned areasRep. Max Abramson
(R – Seabrook)
House Municipal County Govt

1

2

ITL’d in House
HB1495Establishes insurance incentives within managed care to lower costs of healthcareRep. Neal Kurk
(R – Weare)
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

4

2

ITL’d in House
HB1111Requires the S.O.S to form an advisory council around each allegation of fraud in securities salesRep. Michael Brewster
(R – Barnstead)
House Commerce

1

3

House ITL’d
HB1254Exemption from BPT and BET for certain manufacturing businesses in certain counties (i.e.Coos, Carroll)Rep. Jim McConnell (R – North Swanzey)House Ways & Means

2

3

ITL’d in House
HB1535Requires employers to pay for criminal record background checks or drug tests for potential employeesRep. Jordan Ulery (R-Hudson)House Labor, Industry

1

3

ITL’d in House
HB1538Creates a BET flat tax of 2%, eliminates the BPT and MET, and adjusts other taxes while calling for reformRep. Paul Ingbretson (R-Pike)House Ways & Means

2

3

ITL’d in House
SB373Study to determine if school aid could be used to build out tech infrastructure for future virtual classroomsSen. Gary Daniels
(R-Milford)
Education

5

3

ITL’d in House
 BILLS SENT TO INTERIM STUDY      
HB1441Requires business impact notes within all proposed legislationRep. Laurie Sanborn (R – Bedford)House Leg/ Admin

1

1 – support

House sent to Interim Study
HB1658Directs DRED to establish one-stop business permittingRep. Neal Kurk
(R – Weare)

House EDA

1

1 – support

House sent to Interim Study
HB1602Road usage fee as a revenue alternative in transportationRep. Norm Major
(R – Plaistow)
Public Works

2

2

House sent to Interim Study
HB1108Prohibits employees asking about criminal history before offering conditional employmentRep. Frank Heffron (D – Exeter)House Labor

1

3

House sent to Interim Study
HB1572Establishing a broadband deployment tax credit against the BPT and the BET for broadband companies making investment in accessRep. Charles Townsend
(R – Canaan)
House Ways & Means

4

3

House sent to Interim Study
HB1512Establishing the definition of employee, versus independent contractor, for the purpose of workers comp and unemployment insuranceRep. Keith Murphy (R-Bedford)House Labor

1

3

House sent to Interim Study
SB479Establishing a credit BET & BPT on employee profit sharingSen. David Pierce
(R – Lebanon)
Ways & Means

2

2

Senate sent to Interim Study
HB1633Separation of the Family and Medical Leave Act and Workers CompensationRep. James Webb (R-Derry)Senate Commerce

1

3

Interim Study