VAPING:  The Senate passed HB 511 with amendment on a voice vote.  As amended, the bill would add vaping to the Indoor Smoking Ban.  Current law makes no mention of vaping.  If this bill passes, vaping will be prohibited indoors in places of public accommodation.  The bill now goes back to the House for consideration of the Senate amendment. 

PLASTIC BAGS AND STRAWS:  On Tuesday, April 30 the Senate Commerce Committee will hear two bills to roll back the use of plastic bags and straws.  HB 558 would prohibit food service businesses from providing a plastic straw to a customer unless specifically requested.  HB 560 would prohibit stores and restaurants from providing single-use plastic bags except to distribute their remaining 2018 inventory.  It would allow stores and restaurants to provide reusable plastic or recycled paper bags to customers for 10 cents, to be retained by the business.   NHLRA opposes both bills.

ALLOWING TOWNS TO ADOPT A LOCAL ROOMS TAX:  On Wednesday, May 1 the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee will hear HB 641, which would allow cities and towns to collect a daily charge of up to $2 per room containing occupied beds, or as a percentage of the price of the room, provided that the rate doesn’t exceed $2 per occupancy per 24-hour period.  NHLRA opposes this bill.

WORKERS COMPENSATION:  The House Labor Committee has voted 12-8 to recommend passage of SB 99 with amendment.  As amended, the bill would clarify the definition of gainful employment.  When someone goes off temporary partial disability workers compensation and returns to work at a different position, this bill would ensure that the employer would have to return the worker to a position that pays the employee similarly to what they were being paid prior to the work injury.  A provision to remove the 262 week limit on payments for temporary and permanent partial disability was taken out by the House Labor Committee.  This provision could have increased workers compensation by between 5-30 percent.  NHLRA opposes the bill.

​Contact the NHLRA with your legislative questions or concerns at 603-228-9585 or info@nhlra.com.

STATE BUDGET / TOURISM PROMOTION:  On Monday, April 22, the Senate  Finance Committee will hear from the NH Division of Travel & Tourism about its proposed budget for 2020-2021.  The House-passed version of the budget that the Senate has before them keeps the Governor’s proposed increase of $3 million per year in the state budget to promote NH as a destination spot.  $10.8 million would be appropriated each year.  This is the first time in a long time that a budget is advancing with funding tourism promotion at the statutory amount equaling 3.15% of the rooms and meals taxes collecting in the prior year.  This is a big victory for those in the tourism industry.  The Senate will vote on its version of the budget by June 6. 
 
SPORTS BETTING:  On Wednesday, April 24 the Senate Ways & Means Committee will hear HB 480, which would authorize the NH Lottery Commission to conduct sports betting directly or through authorized agents.  Authorized agents would be chosen by a competitive bid process.

VAPING:  The Senate Commerce Committee has voted 3-2 to recommend passage of HB 511 with amendment.  As amended, the bill would add vaping to the Indoor Smoking Ban.  Current law makes no mention of vaping.  If this bill passes, vaping will be prohibited indoors in places of public accommodation.  The full Senate will vote on the bill next Thursday, April 26. 

MINIMUM WAGE:  On Wednesday, April 24 the House Labor Committee will hear SB 10, which would increase the minimum wage to $10 on January 1, 2020 and to $11 on January 1, 2022 if an employer offers its employees at least 10 paid sick days to employees, and to $12 if the employer does not offer at least 10 paid sick days to an employee.  It would also increase the tipped wage to $4.00 upon the bill’s passage and require an employer to make up any difference between the tip wage and $12/ hour to guarantee that tipped employees earn at least $12/hour.  This last provision of the bill is a big victory to NHLRA.
 
 
 ​Contact the NHLRA with your legislative questions or concerns at 603-228-9585 or info@nhlra.com.

STATE BUDGET / TOURISM PROMOTION:  The House passed its version of the State Budget on a vote of 225-159.  The vote was strictly on party lines.  No republicans voted for it and all democrats voted for in favor.  The House version keeps the Governor’s proposed increase of $3 million per year in the state budget to promote NH as a destination spot.  $10.8 million would be appropriated each year.  This is the first time in a long time that a budget is advancing with funding tourism promotion at the statutory amount equaling 3.15% of the rooms and meals taxes collecting in the prior year.  This is a big victory for those in the tourism industry.  The bill now goes to the Senate.
 
CASINO GAMBLING:  The House Ways & Means Committee will hear SB 310 next Thursday, April 18.  The bill would allow two casinos in the State. 

SPORTS BETTING:  On Wednesday, April 24 the Senate Ways & Means Committee will hear HB 480, which would authorize the NH Lottery Commission to conduct sports betting directly or through authorized agents.  Authorized agents would be chosen by a competitive bid process.

​Contact the NHLRA with your legislative questions or concerns at 603-228-9585 or info@nhlra.com.