Legislative Update for February 28, 2020

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.