ALLOWING TOWNS TO ADOPT A LOCAL ROOMS TAX:  on a vote of 174-113 the House passed  HB 1160.  The bill 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.  A similar bill passed the House last year and was tabled in the Senate.  NHLRA opposes this bill.  We will have to reach out to the entire Senate again to stop this there.

REQUIRING EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE NURSING MOTHERS WITH ACCESS TO SUFFICIENT SPACE AND BREAK TIME:   The Senate Finance Committee has voted 4-1 to recommend that  SB 618 be sent to interim study.  As amended the bill would require employers with 6 or more employees to provide nursing employees with an unpaid break of at least 30 minutes for every three hours of worked performed, and access to sufficient space for expression of milk during work hours.  This would have to be allowed for a period of one year from the date of birth of the child.  The bill also would provide a tax credit of up to $5,000 against the NH Business Enterprise Tax for costs an employer would incur to make sufficient space available.  The full Senate will vote on the bill next Thursday, March 19.

REQUIRING EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMODATIONS FOR PREGNANT EMPLOYEES:  The Senate passed SB 759 with amendment.  As amended, the bill would require an employer to provide a pregnant employee with reasonable accommodations and/or permit the employee to take a leave of absence for the period of temporary physical disability resulting from pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, unless such employer can demonstrate that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the business of the employer.  The bill now goes to the House.

PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE:  The Senate voted on two competing bills establishing paid family and medical leave.  SB 730 is the Governor’s bill and would enable private employers to voluntarily participate in a state-run program.  The Senate sent this bill to interim study.  Meanwhile, the Senate voted along party lines to pass HB 712, which is the Democratic-lead legislative version that would establish a mandatory program for employers.  The legislature is not passing the Governor’s bill, and the Governor will veto the legislature’s bill, so this issue isn’t likely to go anywhere this year. 

LIMITING THE USE OF PAPER RECEIPTS:  The House sent HB 1508 to interim study.   The bill would have required a business to provide a customer with proof of purchase only at the customers’ option.  No business could have printed a paper receipt unless the customer asked for one.  No paper receipt printed by a business could contain bisphenol A or bisphenol S. 

BEDBUGS:  The House killed HB 1428.  The bill would have required Town Health Officers, upon a complaint of a guest of an inn, hotel, motel or other establishment which provides lodging to transient guests, to enter the premises to evaluate whether bedbugs are present. 

FOOD RECOVERY:  The House passed HB 1703.  The bill would establish a 17-member food recovery working group to reduce food waste and increase food recovery.  NHLRA is named as one of the stakeholders on the working group.  The working group would be directed to look at current regulations and policies that may be hindering food recovery and to make suggestions for changes.  The bill now goes to the Senate.

FOOD ALLERGIES:  The House passed HB 1102 with amendment.  As amended the bill would require food service establishments to include on all menus and menu boards a notice to customers of the customers obligation to inform their server of his or her food allergies.  It would also require food service establishments to have a person in charge at all times of operation trained and certified as a food protection manager.  This last provision is already a requirement of the new food code.  The bill now goes to the Senate.

SINGLE USE PLASTIC STRAWS:  On a vote of 197-135 the House passed HB 1472 with amendment.  As amended, will prohibit food service establishments from providing a single use plastic straw to a customer unless specifically requested.  The bill now goes to the Senate.

ALLOWING DOGS ON RESTAURANT PATIOS:  The House passed HB 1483.  As amended the bill would allow dogs on open air restaurant patios.  Access to the patio would have to be from the exterior of the restaurant.  The bill now goes to the Senate.

PROHIBITING THE USE OF POLYSTYRENE FOAM:  The House passed HB 1564 with amendment.  As amended, the bill would ban the use of polystyrene foam containers designed for one-time use in food service businesses such as restaurants and grocery stores.  The bill now goes to the Senate.

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

REQUIRING EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE NURSING MOTHERS WITH ACCESS TO SUFFICIENT SPACE AND BREAK TIME:   The Senate passed SB 618 with amendment.  As amended the bill would require employers with 6 or more employees to provide nursing employees with an unpaid break of at least 30 minutes for every three hours of worked performed, and access to sufficient space for expression of milk during work hours.  This would have to be allowed for a period of one year from the date of birth of the child.  The bill also would provide a tax credit of up to $5,000 against the NH Business Enterprise Tax for costs an employer would incur to make sufficient space available.  The bill now goes to the Senate Finance Committee for more review.

REQUIRING EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMODATIONS FOR PREGNANT EMPLOYEES:  The Senate Commerce Committee has voted 5-0 to recommend passage of SB 759 with amendment.  As amended, the bill would require an employer to provide a pregnant employee with reasonable accommodations and/or permit the employee to take a leave of absence for the period of temporary physical disability resulting from pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, unless such employer can demonstrate that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the business of the employer.  The full Senate will vote on the bill next Wednesday, March 11.

PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE:  Next week, the Senate will vote on two competing bills establishing paid family and medical leave.  SB 730 is the Governor’s bill and would enable private employers to voluntarily participate in a state-run program.  The Senate Commerce Committee voted along party lines to recommend that this bill be sent to interim study.  Meanwhile, the Committee voted along party lines to recommend passage of HB 712, which is the Democratic-lead legislative version that would establish a mandatory program for employers.  The legislature is not likely to pass the Governor’s bill, and the Governor will veto the legislature’s bill, so this issue isn’t likely to go anywhere this year. 

REGULATION OF FOOD TRUCKS:  The Senate passed SB 479 with amendment.  As amended, the bill would establish a committee to study and review state and municipal regulation of food trucks and to evaluate ways to reduce state and local barriers to operating food trucks in NH.  The Committee would be charged will filing a report by November 1, 2020.  The bill now goes to the House.

DOGS IN OUTDOOR AREAS OF BREW PUBS:  The Senate passed SB 450 with amendment.  As amended, the bill would allow brew pub licensees to enable patrons to bring their dogs onto outdoor patios provided that the access to the patio is from the exterior of the building.  The bill now goes to the House. 

ADDING THE SALE OF SKI TICKETS TO THE MEALS AND ROOMS TAX:  The House killed HB 1652 on a vote of 323-7.  The bill would have added the sale of ski tickets under the meals and rooms tax.  NHLRA opposed the bill. 

LIMITING THE USE OF PAPER RECEIPTS:  The House Commerce Committee has voted 19-0 to recommend that HB 1508 be killed.  The bill would require a business to provide a customer with proof of purchase only at the customers’ option.  No business could print a paper receipt unless the customer asks for one.  No paper receipt printed by a business could contain bisphenol A or bisphenol S.  The full House will vote on the bill next Wednesday, March 11.

BEDBUGS:  The House Health & Human Services Committee has voted 18-0 to recommend killing HB 1428.  The bill would require Town Health Officers, upon a complaint of a guest of an inn, hotel, motel or other establishment which provides lodging to transient guests, to enter the premises to evaluate whether bedbugs are present.  The full House will vote on the bill next week.

FOOD RECOVERY:  The House Health & Human Services Committee has voted 19-1 to recommend passage of HB 1703.  The bill would establish a 17-member food recovery working group to reduce food waste and increase food recovery.  NHLRA is named as one of the stakeholders on the working group.  The working group would be directed to look at current regulations and policies that may be hindering food recovery and to make suggestions for changes.

FOOD ALLERGIES:  The House Commerce Committee has voted 16-4 to recommend passage of HB 1102 with amendment.  As amended the bill would require food service establishments to include on all menus and menu boards a notice to customers of the customers obligation to inform their server of his or her food allergies.  It would also require food service establishments to have a person in charge at all times of operation trained and certified as a food protection manager.  This last provision is already a requirement of the new food code.  The full House will vote on the bill next week.

SINGLE USE PLASTIC STRAWS:  The House Commerce Committee has voted 12-8 to recommend passage of HB 1472 with amendment.  As amended, will prohibit food service establishments from providing a single use plastic straw to a customer unless specifically requested.  The full House will vote on the bill next week.

ALLOWING DOGS ON RESTAURANT PATIOS:  The House Commerce Committee has voted 14-6 to recommend passage of HB 1483.  As amended the bill would allow dogs on open air restaurant patios.  Access to the patio would have to be from the exterior of the restaurant.  The full House will vote on the bill next week.

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

REQUIRING EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE NURSING MOTHERS WITH ACCESS TO SUFFICIENT SPACE AND BREAK TIME:   The Senate Commerce Committee voted 5-0 to recommend passage of SB 618 with amendment.  As amended the bill would require employers with 6 or more employees to provide nursing employees with an unpaid break of at least 30 minutes for every three hours of worked performed, and access to sufficient space for expression of milk during work hours.  This would have to be allowed for a period of one year from the date of birth of the child.  The bill also would provide a tax credit of up to $5,000 against the NH Business Enterprise Tax for costs an employer would incur to make sufficient space available.  The full Senate will vote on the bill next Thursday, March 5.

REQUIRING EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMODATIONS FOR PREGNANT EMPLOYEES:  On Tuesday, March 3 the Senate Commerce Committee will hear SB 679, which would require an employer to provide a pregnant employee with reasonable accommodation if the employee so requests with the advice of the employees’ health care provider. 

PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE:  On Tuesday, March 3 the Senate Finance Committee will hear two bills establishing paid family and medical leave.  SB 730 is the Governor’s bill and would enable private employers to voluntarily participate in a state-run program.  HB 712 is the Democratic-lead legislative version that would establish a mandatory program for employers.  The legislature is not likely to pass the Governor’s bill, and the Governor will veto the legislature’s bill, so this issue isn’t likely to go anywhere this year. 

REGULATION OF FOOD TRUCKS:  The Senate Commerce Committee voted 5-0 to recommend passage of SB 479, which would establish a committee to study and review state and municipal regulation of food trucks and to evaluate ways to reduce state and local barriers to operating food trucks in NH.  The Committee would be charged will filing a report by November 1, 2020.  The full Senate will vote on the bill on March 5.

DOGS IN OUTDOOR AREAS OF BREW PUBS:  The Senate Commerce Committee has voted 4-1 to recommend passage of SB 450, which would allow brew pub licensees to enable patrons to bring their dogs onto outdoor patios provided that the access to the patio is from the exterior of the building.  The full Senate will vote on the bill on March 5. 

ADDING THE SALE OF SKI TICKETS TO THE MEALS AND ROOMS TAX:  The House Ways & Means Committee has voted 20-0 to recommend that HB 1652 be killed.  The bill would add the sale of ski tickets under the meals and rooms tax.  NHLRA opposes this bill.  The full House will vote on the bill next Thursday, March 5.

LICENSING OF MUSHROOM HARVESTERS:  The House passed HB 1692 with amendment.  As amended, the bill would establish a licensing program for wild mushroom harvesters within the NH Department of Health & Human Services so that such mushrooms will be considered as being an “approved source” and thereby able to be purchased by food establishments.  The bill has now been referred to the House Executive Departments & Administration Committee for further review.    

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

REGULATION OF FOOD TRUCKS:  The Senate Commerce Committee voted 5-0 to recommend passage of SB 479, which would establish a committee to study and review state and municipal regulation of food trucks and to evaluate ways to reduce state and local barriers to operating food trucks in NH.  The Committee would be charged will filing a report by November 1, 2020.  The full Senate will vote on the bill on March 5.

DOGS IN OUTDOOR AREAS OF BREW PUBS:  The Senate Commerce Committee has voted 4-1 to recommend passage of SB 450, which would allow brew pub licensees to enable patrons to bring their dogs onto outdoor patios provided that the access to the patio is from the exterior of the building.  The full Senate will vote on the bill on March 5. 

ADDING THE SALE OF SKI TICKETS TO THE MEALS AND ROOMS TAX:  The House Ways & Means Committee has voted 20-0 to recommend that HB 1652 be killed.  The bill would add the sale of ski tickets under the meals and rooms tax.  NHLRA opposes this bill.  The full House will vote on the bill on March 5.

LICENSING OF MUSHROOM HARVESTERS:  The House Environment Committee has voted 19-1 to recommend passage of HB 1692 with amendment.  As amended, the bill would establish a licensing program for wild mushroom harvesters within the NH Department of Health & Human Services so that such mushrooms will be considered as being an “approved source” and thereby able to be purchased by food establishments.  The full House will vote on the bill on March 5. 

MOTORIST SERVICE SIGNS NORTH OF CONCORD:  The House passed HB 1363.  The bill would allow logos of restaurants, lodging establishments and campgrounds to be placed on the large blue motorist service signs on limited access highways north of Concord.  Currently, the logos are only allowed on signs on highways Concord and south.  The bill now goes to the Senate.  

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

RESTAURANT DELIVERY OF ALCOHOL:  On Tuesday, February 18 at 1:30 p.m. the Senate Commerce Committee will hear SB 512, which would allow restaurants to obtain a special alcohol delivery license that would enable the restaurant to deliver up to 192 ounces of beer or up to 1.5 liters of wine with the delivery of a meal prepared by the license.  It also would allow restaurants engaged in take-out-service to include wine and beer in the take-out order.  NHLRA supports this bill. 

REGULATION OF FOOD TRUCKS:  On Wednesday, February 19 at 2:15 p.m. the Senate Commerce Committee will hear SB 479, which would establish a committee to study and review state and municipal regulation of food trucks and to evaluate ways to reduce state and local barriers to operating food trucks in NH.  The Committee would be charged will filing a report by November 1, 2020. 

DOGS IN OUTDOOR AREAS OF BREW PUBS:  On Wednesday, February 19 at 2:00 p.m. the Senate Commerce Committee will hear SB 450, which would allow brew pub licensees to enable patrons to bring their dogs onto outdoor patios provided that the access to the patio is from the exterior of the building.
 
ADDING THE SALE OF SKI TICKETS TO THE MEALS AND ROOMS TAX:  The House Ways & Means Committee has voted 20-0 to recommend that HB 1652 be killed.  The bill would add the sale of ski tickets under the meals and rooms tax.  The full House will vote on the bill next Wednesday, February 19.

BEDBUGS:  A subcommittee of the House Health & Human Services Committee has voted to recommend killing HB 1428.  The bill would require Town Health Officers, upon a complaint of a guest of an inn, hotel, motel or other establishment which provides lodging to transient guests, to enter the premises to evaluate whether bedbugs are present.  The full committee will vote on the bill soon.

LICENSING OF MUSHROOM HARVESTERS:  The House Environment Committee has voted 19-1 to recommend passage of HB 1692 with amendment.  As amended, the bill would establish a licensing program for wild mushroom harvesters within the NH Department of Health & Human Services so that such mushrooms will be considered as being an “approved source” and thereby able to be purchased by food establishments.  The full House will vote on the bill next Wednesday, February 19. 

MOTORIST SERVICE SIGNS NORTH OF CONCORD:  The House Transportation Committee has voted 19-0 to recommend passage of HB 1363, which would allow logos of restaurants, lodging establishments and campgrounds to be placed on the large blue motorist service signs on limited access highways north of Concord.  Currently, the logos are only allowed on signs on highways  Concord and south.  The full House will vote on the bill next Wednesday, February 19. 
 
Contact the NHLRA with your legislative questions or concerns at 603-228-9585 or info@nhlra.com.

ALLOWING TOWNS TO ADOPT A LOCAL ROOMS TAX:  On Wednesday, February 12 at 10:30 a.m. the House Municipal & County Government Committee will continue its work on  HB 1160, 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.  A similar bill passed the House last year and was tabled in the Senate.  This bill is likely to pass the House again this year.  NHLRA opposes this bill.  We will have to reach out to the entire Senate again to stop this there.

ADDING THE SALE OF SKI TICKETS TO THE MEALS AND ROOMS TAX:  The House Ways & Means Committee has voted 20-0 to recommend that HB 1652 be killed.  The bill would add the sale of ski tickets under the meals and rooms tax.  NHLRA opposes this bill.  The full House is expected to vote on the bill on February 20.

ALLOWING DOGS ON RESTAURANT PATIOS:  On Wednesday, February 12 at 1:00 p.m. the House Commerce Committee will hear HB 1483, which would allow dogs on open air restaurant patios.  Access to the patio would have to be from the exterior of the restaurant.  

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

ALLOWING TOWNS TO ADOPT A LOCAL ROOMS TAX:  On Wednesday, January 22 at 10:00 a.m. the House Municipal & County Government Committee will hear HB 1160, 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. 

ADDING THE SALE OF SKI TICKETS TO THE MEALS AND ROOMS TAX:  On Tuesday, January 21 at 1:00 pm, the House Ways & Means Committee will hear HB 1652, which would add the sale of ski tickets under the meals and rooms tax.  

FOOD ALLERGIES:  On Wednesday, January 22 at 11:00 am the House Commerce Committee will hear HB 1102, which would require food service establishments to include on all menus and menu boards a notice to customers of the customers obligation to inform their server of of his or her food allergies.  It also directs the Department of Health & Human Services to develop a voluntary program for food service establishments to receive a designation as “food allergy friendly” and maintain such list on the Department’s website.  Finally, it would require food service establishments to have a person in charge at all times of operation trained and certified as a food protection manager.  This last provision is already a requirement of the new food code.  NHLRA is going to raise a few concerns with the bill.

SINGLE USE PLASTIC BAGS, CUPS AND STRAWS:  On Thursday, January 23 the House Commerce Committee will hear two bills related to plastic bags, cups and straws.  HB 1472 will prohibit food service establishments from providing a single use plastic straw to a customer unless specifically requested.  HB 1194 would permit any merchant to charge $.05 per single use plastic cup and bag to discourage the use of them and encourage the use of reusable ones.  Single use bags used for bulk items or to prevent leaking of food items would be exempt. 

LIMITING THE USE OF PAPER RECEIPTS:  On Thursday, January 23 the House Commerce Committee will hear HB 1508, which would require a business to provide a customer with proof of purchase only at the customers’ option.  No business could print a paper receipt unless the customer asks for one.  No paper receipt printed by a business could contain bisphenol A or bisphenol S. 

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

MINIMUM WAGE:  The House and Senate Committee of Conference on SB 10 agreed to send to their respective chambers next week a bill to raise the minimum wage to $12 over three years.  It would go to $10.00 on January 1, 2020, and then to $12.00 on January 1, 2022.  It would keep the tip wage at 45% of the minimum, bringing it to $4.50 when the minimum goes to $10.00 and to $5.40 when the minimum goes to $12.00.  The bill would also require employers to make up the difference to any tipped employee that does not earn at least $12.00 in tips and cash from the employer combined.  NHLRA lobbied to conferees to go along with the Senate version of the tip wage which would have frozen the tip wage at $4.00 and would have required employers to make up the difference to any tipped employee that did not earn at least $12 with tips and cash wage combined.  The House had wanted to raise the tip wage from 45% to 50% of the minimum.  They compromised by keeping it at 45%.  The full House and Senate will likely approve it next Thursday.  NHLRA will be asking the Governor to veto the bill. 

STATE BUDGET / TOURISM PROMOTION:  The House and Senate conferees to the budget agreed to increase the amount budgeted for tourism promotion, but still not at the statutory called for amount of 3.15% of the rooms and meals tax.  The Governor had proposed and the House passed a budget that allocated an amount equal to 3.15% of the rooms and meals tax.      This was a big victory for those in the tourism industry.  But, led by Senator Dan Feltes, the Senate Finance Committee voted to reduce the House-passed version by $1 million the first year, and by $500,000 in the second year.  This results in appropriation of $9.8 million in the first year, and $10.3 million in the second year.  It’s still a $2 million increase in the first year and $2.5 million increase in the second year over the existing budget.  The House and Senate will now vote on the budget next Thursday.  They will pass it and then it’s likely that the Governor will veto it. 
 
REGULATION OF SWIMMING POOLS / SPAS:  Included in the budget is language that would change the way the State regulates pools.  Pool operators will have to register with the Department of Environmental Services.  Operators will have to annually self-certify that they are in compliance with a laundry list of regulations.  Along with the self certification, a $250 per pool fee (up to a maximum of $1500) will be annually.  In addition, the operator must have someone who has completed a certified pool and spa operator certification program.  The full House and Senate will vote on the budget next Thursday.

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

ALLOWING TOWNS TO ADOPT A LOCAL ROOMS TAX:  The Senate voted to lay HB 641 on the table.  The bill would allow cities and towns to collect a daily charge of up to $2 per occupancy, 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.  If the bill remains on the table after June 6 it will require a 2/3 vote of the Senate to pass.  All 10 republicans oppose the bill so that will not happen.    

MINIMUM WAGE:  The Senate voted re-refer HB 186 back to committee for further review.   HB 186 would increase the minimum wage to $9.50 on January 1, 2020; to $10.75 on January 1, 2021; and to $12.00 on January 1, 2022.  It would also increase the wage for tipped employees from 45% of the minimum to 50% of the minimum.  Lastly, it would set a youth wage that would be $1 less than the minimum.  This vote to re-refer the bill means that there is ony one other bill still in play to raise the minimum wage.  – SB 10.  This Senate Bill would raise the minimum wage to $12 over three years.  It would go to $10.00 on January 1, 2020, and then on January 1, 2022 to $11.00 for employers that offer their employees at least 10 paid sick days, and $12 for employers who don’t offer their employees 10 paid sick days.  It would also separate the tip wage from the minimum.  Instead setting the tip wage to a percentage of the minimum (currently 45%), it would set it at $4.00.  It would guarantee that tipped employees would earn at least $12.00/hour through tips and wages combined.  If not, the employer would have to make up the difference.  The House Labor Committee has voted to gut the Senate version and replace it with their House-passed HB 186 version (see above).  The full House will likely go along with this next Thursday when they meet in Session.  The differences between the House and Senate versions will have to be resolved in a committee of conference in a few weeks.

STATE BUDGET / TOURISM PROMOTION:  The Senate Finance Committee voted to reduce from the House version the amount targeted to tourism promotion.  Earlier this Session, the House proposed an increase of $3 million per year in the state budget to promote NH as a destination spot.  A total of $10.8 million would be appropriated each year.  This was the first time in a long time that a budget was approved in one body of the legislature with funding tourism promotion at the statutory amount equaling 3.15% of the rooms and meals taxes collecting in the prior year.  This was a big victory for those in the tourism industry.  Led by Senator Dan Feltes, the Senate Finance Committee voted to reduce the House-passed version by $1 million the first year, and by $500,000 in the second year.  This would result in appropriation of $9.8 million in the first year, and $10.3 million in the second year.  The full Senate will vote on their version of the budget next Thursday, June 6. 
 
 Contact the NHLRA with your legislative questions or concerns at 603-228-9585 or info@nhlra.com.

CASINOS:  By one of the largest margins in recent memory, the House killed SB 310 on a vote of 289-63.  It then voted to indefinitely postpone the bill which prevents the House from considering it this year or next without a 2/3 majority vote.  This pretty much kills it for good through the 2020 Session.    

PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE:  As expected, Governor Sununu vetoed the Democratic legislature’s version of paid family medical leave.  It would require 16 votes in the Senate to override his veto, and there are only 14 Democrats, and all the republicans will vote to sustain his veto so it looks like the Democrats version is dead.  The Democrats want a paid family leave program that covers all employees.  It would be paid for through a payroll deduction.  Sununu has called this an income tax.  He prefers a voluntary program.  His version was stripped out of the budget and is not in play right now.  It appears this issue will end in a draw with nothing moving forward. 

MANDATING CHANGING STATIONS IN PUBLIC BATHROOMS:  The Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee has voted 5-0 to recommend re-referring HB 520 back to Committee for further review.  HB 520 would require public accom­modations built after January 1, 2021 to install and maintain at least one diaper changing station that is accessible to all genders.  It would also apply to any single renovation of an existing building or facility which is proposed to be constructed on or after January 1, 2021, if the cost of such renovation exceeds $50,000.  The Committee noted that State Building Code Review Board will be taking this matter up at an upcoming meeting and therefore, the Committee recommends re-referring the bill to allow them the opportunity to address this issue.  The full Senate will vote on the bill next Wednesday, May 15.
 
PLASTIC BAGS AND STRAWS:  The Senate Commerce Committee voted 4-1 to recommend killing two bills that would 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.  The full Senate will vote on the bills next Wednesday, May 15.  

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