The NAIFA-New Hampshire Government Relations Committee partners with J. Grimbilas Strategic Solutions, LLC. to lobby on the issues important to our industry, our products and services, and our clients. J. Grimbilas Strategic Solutions, LLC. has been front line advocates to advance NAIFA-New Hampshire's legislative and regulatory priorities for many years. They've provided this week's update on recent committee meetings, bills they are following, and legislative issues they've identified as being of interest to NAIFA.
House Commerce will hold a subcommittee on HB 774 next Tuesday and an executive session on a number of bills on Wednesday. There will be a lot of interest from the business community on HB 195 (privacy). Similar bills have passed the House in recent sessions, only to be killed in the Senate. You may recall that significant privacy legislation was passed last year. There are many House members who do not think it went far enough. The bill includes a specific reference to the insurance industry as part of one of the definitions.
The official versions of House Bill 1 and House Bill 2, the budget bills, are expected to be released today. The House Finance and House Ways & Means Committees have been meeting regularly with state agencies to understand their budget proposals and revenue projections. That work will continue throughout March, as the budget must be passed out of the House by April 10th and sent to the Senate. Once HB 2 is released, should we seen any provisions that could be of interest to NAIFA-NH, we will send them along. There has been a debate in one of the Divisions regarding repealing the voluntary Paid Family Leave Program. No decisions have been made yet.
Committee Reports
HB 378-FN, relative to an employee’s unused earned time. MAJORITY: INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE. MINORITY: OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT.
Link for Amendment to HB 378 - 2025-0333h
Rep. Andrew Prout for the Majority of Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services. The bill would require employers to provide a number of items regarding vacation time and unused earned time. These include written policies, an undescribed means to request and approve usage of this time and an accounting of what has been used and what is remaining. While not being opposed to some of these requirements if they were more succinctly outlined, this would require an extra expense to many small business owners. The most significant concern is that the bill would require that all vacation time and unused earned time be considered compensation and therefore wages. Not all employers offer vacation time or earned time. Some employers offer a certain number of hours to be used for a combination of sick time, vacation and other personal time. Some employers allow for this time to be converted to payment upon termination of employment and some do not. Earned time does not mean payable on demand for all NH employers. Allowing the employers to determine how they are going to consider these benefits is the NH way and results in a more vibrant business environment. Employers will adjust as needed to keep and maintain happy employees. Vote 11-9.
Rep. Michael Cahill for the Minority of Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services. The bill would provide for the payment of earned unused time when due to layoff, closure or sale of the business. These circumstances being beyond the control of the employee who as a result had no opportunity to request and use their earned time.
SB 120-FN, relative to insurance coverage for biomarker testing. Ought to Pass with Amendment, Vote 5-0.
Link for Amendment to SB 120 - 2025-0554s
Senator Birdsell for the committee.
This bill requires health insurance coverage for biomarker testing and requires the state Medicaid plan to include coverage for biomarker testing. Upon discussion and collaboration among concerned parties, an amendment has been adopted to reflect a compromise between stakeholders.
SB 121-FN, requiring notice to the insurance department of the discontinuance of certain types of insurance, including Medicare Advantage Plans. Ought to Pass with Amendment, Vote 5-0.
Senator Avard for the committee.
This bill, a request of the Insurance Department, will require insurance carriers to notify the Department when they cease writing an entire line of business or in certain circumstances regarding Medicare Advantage Plans. This is intended to prevent confusion between the Department and carriers in the future. An amendment from the Insurance Department has been adopted to address concerns from carriers in the property and casualty space. Therefore, we recommend this bill ought to pass with amendment.
SB 122-FN, relative to financial eligibility for the Medicare savings program. Ought to Pass, Vote 5-0.
Senator Prentiss for the committee.
This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to remove asset limits and increase income thresholds for the Medicare Savings Program and to submit any amendment to the State Medicaid Plan required for implementation. This will help ensure that the growing population of older adults in New Hampshire have access to affordable healthcare. Therefore, we recommend this bill ought to pass.
SB 131-FN-A, relative to long-term care eligibility and making an appropriation therefor. Ought to Pass, Vote 5-0.
Senator Rochefort for the committee.
This bill establishes provisional eligibility for Medicaid nursing facility services as part of the long-term care application process and makes an appropriation to the Department of Health and Human Services for this purpose. This revolving fund will help alleviate the financial burden on nursing homes and the long-term care health system as a whole by making sure those applying for Medicaid nursing facility services are paid for while their applications are pending.