We publish each week  during the Legislative session, an update on the status of pending bills affecting New Hampshire's pubilc sector labor community.  Employers have the Local Government Center at work at the State House.  Labor has Molan Milner and Krupski, PLLC. Remember, it's not all about what's on the books now, but also what we can put into law tomorrow.

June 4, update....

The legislature is almost done for the session, absent a small detail of passing a balanced budget.  As you all know by now, a special session of the legislature has been called by the Governor, so both Houses will be in session next Wednesday and it's likely more sessions will follow. Stay tuned.

The legislature did act on all remaining bills on Wednesday, passing, with one exception, all of the conference committee reports.  The major passage was the report on HB1393 which confirms that the Secretary of State has regulatory control over RSA 5-B entities, including the LGC's HealthTrust, and provides additional remedial power in the event the Secretary of State finds that excess surplus is not returned to New Hampshire's political subdivision as is required now by law.  Sound familiar?  PFFNH's class action lawsuit alleges just that -- stay tuned.  Much more on this is available on the downloads page.

As well, congratulations to the legislative efforts of the SEA in helping with the passage of SB358, a measure that is designed to allow more protections for State employees who report on waste in State government. 

We'll post a wrap up of the legislative activity affecting New Hampshire's public sector labor community once the session ends.

April 16, update....

Last week we witnessed dramatic testimony before the Finance Committee regarding the effects of the further budget cuts recommended by the Governor : SEA employees spoke eloquently about the cuts in services to the needy, the mess cuts will have in information technology and the overburdened Judicial Branch. Chief Justice Broderick is on a mission, warning Gov. Lynch that 4 million more in cuts may affect the ability to deliver the Constitutionally guaranteed access to justice for New Hampshire citizens.  More to come next week, as the budget slashing SB450 gets reviewed again by Finance, Public Works and Ways and Means committees.

Also last week, the two gambling bills received negative committee votes as well as a veto promise from the Governor who seems content to wait for the recommendation of his study committee before committing to any expanding gambling.  These bills will hit the House floor next Wednesday. Finally, the Senate last week tabled HB1579 (public employee electioneering) and passed retirement bill HB1668.

April 9, update....

No one seems happy about the Governor's plan to get to a balanced budget by , once again, cutting spending without increasing revenue.  The plan will be detailed before the Legislative Fiscal Committee on Monday (see the sidebar and downloads page for details). The usual suspects have been rounded up : the SEA can expect more layoffs, the LGC is angry over further reductions in State aid in Rooms and Meals money and another reduction in the State's contribution to municipal retirement costs, and the Judicial Branch maintains that the Constitutional guarantee for the delivery of justice is in play because of the additional 4 million dollar proposed cut.

Next week will also bring Committee votes on the gambling bills, which may well be impacted by this latest round of budget cuts without new revenue proposals. Stay tuned! 

March 26, update....

HB1664 is tabled by the House! This is great news and congratulations to those in the public sector labor community that contacted their Representatives with a strong, unified message: employees paying into the retirement system should not be taxed in order to subsidize employer rates; especially when employers have historically not paid their fair share of this obligation.  Tabling the bill effectively kills the measure to increase employee retirement rates, but other parts of the bill - including a decrease in the State's subsidy of employer rates - are likely to resurface

Also tabled were the tax caps bills - a good move that reinforces the principle that taxes should be set by elected officials, not by artificial caps.  On a down note, the House rejected two committee recommendations of 'OTP' and voted down HB1428 which would have expanded (slightly) retirement death benefits for surviving spouses.

Last week also saw the demise of HB1356, a bill that would have captured under the right-to-know law certain non-profit agencies that receive the bulk of their operating revenue from the State (i.e., taxpayer money).  In a surprisingly large margin, the House rejected the bill on fears that the requirements of transparency and openness in government would have put too many non-profits out of business.  Perhaps the bill needed some fine tuning, but its goal was laudable and labor stands ready to assist these efforts to expand the reach of RSA 91-A in the future.

March 12, update.....

Last week the firefighter certification bill (C2/F2) was passed by the Senate and looks to become law upon the Governor's signature. Nice work PFFNH and Esther Dickinson! As well, the Retiree Medical Trust (RMT) bill sailed through committee and the full Senate is likely to pass that next Wednesday.The full Senate also passed SB504, putting off the spiking charge for another year (and hopefully forever!).

Next week, the House will again be in session on Wednesday and Thursday in an effort to make it through a crowded calendar. Next week should see House floor action on Rep. Watrous' right to know bill which expands coverage of RSA 91-A to certain non-profits that , essentially, do the government's work and receive government funding. HB1356 is a positive initiative that further widens the public's constitutional right to know how and why the government spends tax dollars. Next Tuesday the House ED&A committee will take up SB357 which mirrors for certain judicial retirees the HB2 directive that State employee retirees pension checks be reduced by up to $130 per month.  The SEA has launched a constitutional challenge to this broken promise and expect a decision from the Superior court soon.  Perhaps, the ED&A committee should wait and see on this bill (?).

March 5, update.....

Senate committee action last week included unanimous approval (OTP) of the firefighter certification bill (C2/F2)(HB1131) as well as the measure to delay (again) the imposition of the ,so called, spiking assessment on cities and towns. A Senate committee also gave the nod to SB359, involving improved protections for public employee "whistleblowers". These bills will go to the full Senate next week.

Two retirement bills passed the House Finance Committee last week (HB1428 and HB1668) and should reach the House floor next week. The House did not make it very far through last week's calendar, so the House will convene two sessions next Wednesday and Thursday.


February 21, update.....

House floor action last week saw the passage of the PFFNH backed 'C2/F2' bill that seeks to uniformly apply national standards to all New Hampshire firefighters - this bill has already been scheduled for a Senate hearing on March 2d. The House also passed HB1137 with a labor backed amendment that retains the ability of a Union employee to pay dues through payroll deduction.  More good news included the defeat of the 'right to work' (so called) bill and HB1142 , a measure that would have made it more difficult to present warrant articles by petition.

New matters to watch include the Senate's joint resolution (SJR2) to endorse the formation of Retiree Medical Trusts between local governments and their bargaining units to address the growing problem of financing retiree medical insurance. As well, a new Senate bill (SB504) is out which extends out the effective date of the spiking charge (so called) to employers. This bill will be heard March 2d as well.

The legislature takes it break next week -- we will post the following weeks schedule next Friday.

February 12, update.....

Last week's Committee work featured votes on the Firefighter certification bill (or "C2/F2") and a wage withholding bill which , as introduced, threatened to delete the requirement that Employers withhold Union dues from those members that authorize that deduction. HB1131 , a PFFNH backed measure, was unanimously approved by the House Criminal Justice & Public Safety Committee and will, if passed, beef up requirements for incoming firefighters and require National Standards to apply to all professional firefighters. 

HB1137 was amended and voted 'ought to pass' by a unanimous House Labor Committee; the Labor backed amendment brought back into the bill the express statutory provision allowing payroll deductions for Union dues. The bill, as amended, simply adds an authorized deduction for 'other purposes mutually agreed upon'.  Both these bills , as well as two law enforcement bills, HB1372 (wiretap commission) and HB1492  are scheduled for next week's consent calendar.

Speaking of the consent calendar, last Wednesday again brought drama to the House floor when a certain Manchester Rep. (guess..) invoked a House Rule that permits a single member to remove any and all bills from the otherwise, single vote, consent calendar. This caused much unwarranted delay and pushed many bills off until next week's House session, including the , so called, 'right to work' bill.  Hopefully next Wednesday goes a bit smoother.

House floor action that did occur last week included, unfortunately, the killing of HB1646 (Corrections/Group II)and HB1681 (teachers). On a good note, HB1530, the most recent attack on 'earnable compensation' was defeated by a somewhat uncomfortably close margin (180-162) as was HB1682 (Rep. Kurk's 50 year 'smoothing' bill. 

The 'double dipping' bill (HB1576)- a measure addressing how/when/if retired public employees can work in NHRS certified jobs - was sent to interim study, but this may well reappear in an amendment to a Senate bill. Stay tuned.

Next week brings the tax cap bill (HB1522) up for debate on the House floor.  This bill was 'ITL'd' in Committee (12-6) so expect a lively discussion by House members Wednesday.  Because tax caps can hamper the ability to raise revenue (which pays the bills), Labor generally opposes these measures. And so does the LGC: finally, something we agree on!

Lastly, SB357 will be voted on by the full Senate Wednesday.  This bill, which passed Committee (3-0), would require deductions (65$ to 130$) out of the pension checks of current retirees from the Judicial Retirement Plan. Sound familiar?  Will the judicial retirees challenge this as the SEA has done?  We'll see.

February 5, update.....

Tuesday, the House ED&A Committee cleared its 'docket' of several retirement bills which will hit the House floor next Wednesday. The bad news : HB1277 which would have extended the eligibility date for Teachers to retire and receive the medical subsidy and HB1646 which would have put certain correctional personnel in Group II (where they belong), were both soundly rejected. The good news : death benefits were expanded for surviving spouses (HB1428), gutting earnable compensation was recommended for defeat, and the '50 year smoothing' bill was unanimously rejected. The earnable compensation bill will face a floor fight Wednesday, stay tuned!

Thursday, House Finance approved a bill (HB268) granting benefit protection to employees that transfer from the Judicial Branch and a House Labor subcommittee recommended an amendment to our wage withholding statute , but rejected a proposal that would have removed 'dues deduction' as a proper withholding from the law.  HB1137 will be voted on by the Labor Committee Feb. 9th.

Wednesday's floor action had its share of drama. House Republicans convinced the body to overturn the Finance Committee's recommendation against removing 5 million from the current budget (meals and rooms tax share) without having a cost cutting bill in place to fill that hole. The House then reversed this trend and approved the Finance Committee's recommendation not to carve another 25 million out of the budget.

Next week : The House Criminal Justice/Public Safety Committee takes up bills ranging from firefighter certification (C2/F2) to annulments (see side bar) and the retirement bills hit the House floor Wednesday!

January 30, update.....

A mixed bag last week :  while the effort to change the definition of 'earnable compensation' and the attempt to , once again, impose upon the NHRS an accounting methodology that would reduce employer rates did not get a good reception in subcommittee (both voted to recommend ITL 2-1), the effort to place deserving employees working 'behind the wall' at the Department of Corrections did not do well in subcommittee.  All these bills (and other retirement bills , see the sidebar) will be voted on by the full ED&A committee this Tuesday.

Thanks , once again, to the House Labor Committee and chairman Jeff Goley, for soundly defeating the , so called, right to work bill. This bill hits the House floor Feb. 10th. Also, the Senate committee looking at the spiking issue will present a bill to , once again , extend the effective date of this unnecessary legislation.  Stay tuned!



January 23, update.....

House ED&A Committee members heard many retirement bills including a couple sponsored by Rep. Kurk that seek to , once again, drastically reduce pension benefits earned by public employees and apply an accounting methodology that would artificially lower employer rates.  Sound familiar?  HB1530 would strike out all compensation earned by employees as a pensionable benefit except base pay.  Labor leaders , including Bill Graham (Troopers) and David Lang (Firefighters), testified that the issue of 'pension abuse' remains a myth and that empoyees have paid into the system their retirement contributions on those other wages (overtime, detail pay etc).  Next up was HB1682 , a measure that would set employer rates by 'smoothing' them over a 50 year period (now they are set using a 5 year look back - the norm throughout the country). So, on it goes : our opponents seeking to lower benefits , increase employee rates and allow employers to pay less than they owe!  Many thanks to NHRS executive director Richard Ingram who in opposition to HB1682 pointed out that a 50 year look back is simply not a sound actuarial practice - one that our State Constitution requires.  Stay tuned ...  next week all the retirement bills are headed into subcommittee for more work!

January 15, update.....

What a week it was and what a week ahead....

HB401 was defeated on the floor ! This bill would have decimated employee representation on the NHRS Board of Trustees and it took a gigantic effort from Labor to help overturn a majority House ED&A Committee report.  Great work from SEA's Jay Ward and PFFNH lobbyist Esther Dickinson.

Labor efforts were also rewarded by the defeat of HB673 (a bill that would allow cities and towns to withdraw from the NHRS without existing employee protections), HB631 (an awkward binding arb. bill), as well as the Senate ED&A issuance of a committee report recommending sending HB514 (OPEB) to interim study.

Hearings last week included a packed Judiciary Committee room which heard many complaints from nonprofit groups against a worthwhile legislative initiative to expand the right to know law to those organizations who are funded mostly with public dollars. HB1356 has a laudable goal and hopefully more work can be done on this bill in subcommittee.  As well, an effort to expand posting requirements to cover 'draft' minutes of public bodies drew much opposition from municipal types complaining of the alleged onerous burden this bill would create.  Again, this attempt (HB1284) to further open the workings of government to the light of day deserves more legislative attention.

Next week is jammed packed as well. Tuesday features the Republican backed , revised budget initiative (which contains everything from cutbacks, givebacks, and more pain for public employees -- see the side bar under Finance). Wednesday is 'NHRS' day at House ED&A as well as 'right to work' day in Rep's Hall. The legislative week closes out with the Governor's State of the State address on Thursday.  Stay tuned!

January 10, update.....

The House opened its 2010 session last Wednesday but did not make it far into its Calendar, making for a lengthy session next week.  The retained bills with the House ED&A committee should be reached next Wednesday and tops on the watch list is HB401 - we hope the democratic majority on that committee will prevail in defeating the committee report and prevent the unnecessary removal of employee Trustees on the Retirement Board. Also up for vote will be HB673 - a bill that allows members of the NHRS to leave the system without existing protections for employees.  We are hopeful that the House will ITL this bill.

What did get done included the passage of HB53 (with the amendment suggested by PFFNH!) as well as HB268 (transfers for judicial employees / referred to Finance) and HB425 (a RTK remedies bill, referred to Ways and Means).  HB631 (a problematic binding arbitration bill) was removed from the Consent Calender by its sponsor unhappy, we guess, with the unanimous committee report (ITL). So we see what the House does next Wednesday.

The House Judiciary will hold hearings next week on some interesting right-to-know bills including HB1284 a measure that would require posting of minutes sooner (5 days) and allows for minutes to be posted on official web pages -- a good bill that opens up the workings of government even more.  The LGC opposes the bill (go figure!).  Also up for hearing are HB1356 (non profits) and HB1362 (oversight commission) -- we are watching these bills closely and may propose an amendment or two next week.  Stay tuned!

December 11, update.....

The bills are coming out and given their number (hundreds) and content (retirement, municipal budgets,wage withholding, police details,right to know, firefighter certification), the upcoming session proves to be busy.  We have compiled (and will keep updated) a spreadsheet of those bills (and their status) which may be of interest to public sector labor in New Hampshire. The spreadsheet will be maintained on our downloads page throughout the session.

But first, the House will take up, on January 6th  'old business' in the form of retained bills from last session.  High on this 'watch list' are HB401 where the majority report seeks to reduce employee participation on the NHRS Board - a bad bill. Good luck to the minority position which represents the majority of Democrats on the ED&A committee. Also on the floor will be HB673, the majority suggesting that the bill be killed that would allow the withdrawal from the NHRS by Cities and Town without existing protections for employees.

On the consent calendar, we welcome passage of HB53 (a right to know bill amended with the full support of PFFNH), HB268 (SEA bill)  and the ITL of HB631 - a bill we offered testimony on that offers an unworkable solution to Labor's 'binding arbitration' quandry.

December 3, update.....

The SB108 Study Commission met yesterday and reviewed the 'spiking calculation' report issued by the New Hampshire Retirement System (NHRS) as required by HB641 (requiring NHRS to develop a methodology to assess Cities and Towns a surcharge for alleged (and fictional) "excess earnings" earned by public employees nearing retirement.)   The report is on the downloads page (dated 12/1/09) and recommends an increase in the 'loading factor' for the various Group I and Group II groups which will only raise employer (and eventually, employee) contribution rates.  We are grateful that the mood of the committee (the majority, at least) seems to be that : 1) they want to act only if there is a true 'spiking' problem (which there is not, as previously noted by the NHRS actuaries); 2)they will need more time to evaluate more recent data from NHRS ; and 3) the committee is likely to propose legislation to extend the current effective date of the spiking charge (now July 1, 2010) until July , 2011.  Remember : "There is no spiking problem!". The committee will meet again Dec. 16th.

Today the COLA commission met and discussed a draft final majority report that acknowledged the fact that the lawsuit filed by the New Hampshire Retirement Security Coalition may well have a say in any further legislation regarding COLA's - in fact , one draft minority report suggests no legislative action until the lawsuit is resolved. Details on the lawsuit and the draft majority and minorty reports are on the downloads page.  The commission is expected to wrap things up without another meeting.  A special thanks goes out to  AFT President Laura Hainey and Chief Jim Valiquet for all their good work on this commission.

Speaking of lawsuits : the SEA recently filed its reply brief (yes, it's on the downloads page) in the class action case filed on behalf of 'under 65' retirees who are now being required to pay up to 130$ per month out of their NHRS pension checks for health insurance.  This case has enormous ramifications on the other Constitutional challenges lodged by New Hampshire labor groups and should be closely watched.  Details on the downloads page and a hearing is scheduled for Dec. 17 at Merrimack County Superior Court. 

Stay tuned! 

November 20, update.....

The SB108 Study Commission met and heard (again) from the Retirement System and their actuaries. There simply is no spiking problem and it appears that the committee is unwilling to fix a problem that does not exist. (see our downloads page for the reports). Recall that this is a mere newspaper headline issue and that the NHRS already builds into current rate the expected "spike" in compensation earned by public employees in the latter years of employment.

To recap : the "spiking" or "125%" provision in current law (RSA 100-A16,III-a) (effective July 1, 2010) assesses an additional surcharge on cities or towns where employees retiree with a pension that exceeds 125% of the employee's average highest 3 years of base pay.  HB641 requires that the NHRS develop the precise calculation to implement this unnecessary law (this report is due December 1st), but the SB108 study committee is charged with taking a second look. Hopefully, the spiking assesment will be repealed. The committee meets again in a couple of weeks.

There was not much movement in the House Labor subcommitte on their retained bills. HB271 , HB631 and HB662 will be voted on next Tuesday , these bills are not expected to pass.

The House Judiciary Committee did the right thing by rejecting the attempts by the Local Government Center to exclude an "agency or authority"of government from the reach of the right-to-know law. HB53 was passed with an amendment that keeps that critical language in ! Nice work by the PFFNH and their lobbyist Esther Dickinson.  HB135 was ITL'd 18-0 (as the sponsor as introduced a new bill on the topic) as was HB328.  The Nashua bill (HB379) barely passed but expect a lively floor fight.

The House ED&A Committee surprisingly voted in favor (11-6) to recommend passage of HB401  a bill (sponsored by Rep's Hawkins Reagan and Kurk) that reduces from 8 to 2 the number of employee representatives on the NHRS Board of Trustees. A bad bill that hopefully will be killed by the House in full session on January 6th. Better news on HB673 (the bill that allows for cities and towns to withdraw from the system without the existing protections for employees) - this was ITL'd  11-6. 

See you next week!

November 6, update.....

The deadline for bill requests has come and gone -- so now the task is to analyze the language of these LSR's (over 700 right now!) and to put together the 2010 labor 'watch list'.  In the meantime, the next two weeks will be busy -- the 2009 retained/re referred bills will be taken up in earnest.

 The sidebar has the details, but the bigger bills coming up for a vote include HB53 (the tired old effort of the LGC to overturn labor Court victories) and HB673 , the retirement bill that would allow Cities and Towns to withdraw from the NHRS without existing protections for employees (bad bill).  As well, look for action from the House Labor Committee which is trying to fashion a workable binding arbitration bill.  Stay tuned!
October 11, update.......

House members have put in over 600 bill requests (LSR's) so the session coming up looks to be busy.  Look for issues ranging from retirement, State agency reorganizations to right to work . The Senate has signalled that its members will  not entertain bill requests at the last minute and an amendment to the Senate rules is under consideration :

48. Deadlines:

(a) Wednesday, October 28, 2009 – First day to file legislation for 2010 Session.

(b) The Office of Legislative Services shall not draft a Senate Bill, Senate Concurrent Resolution, or Senate Joint Resolution, unless a request by a member for drafting with complete information has been received not later than 4:00 p.m., Friday, November 06, 2009, for the 2010 Session.

(c) The last day to sign-off legislation for the above filing period shall be Wednesday, December 09, 2009, at 4:00 p.m.

So get those bills drafted !

Finally, the House ED&A subcommittee has punted consideration of its retained bills (including HB673) until January.  Stay tuned as the text of all new bills will be released soon.

Sept. 27 update.......
HB53 was front and center once again last week before the House Judiciary Subcommittee and PFFNH offered testimony (again) and convinced the committee to retain critical language in the right to know law that captures the LGC and similar quasi-governmental agencies within its reach.  

Much to the chagrin of LGC lawyers in attendance, the final language of the proposal not only  keeps in the "agency and authority" language but expands the definition of "public body" to cover any other "similar body" as well as village districts.  The revised bill (available on the downloads page)will next go to the full Judiciary committee.  Nice work PFFNH and its lobbyist Esther Dickinson!

The retained bills before the House ED&A subcommittee will be taken up again next week (including HB673 which labor opposes).  The sick leave and flex time bills received an unenthusiastic reception last week and we can expect amendments to be offered significantly watering down those proposals.

The week ahead......
Sept. 19, 2009.  Along with the Judiciary Subcommittee taking up (again) certain right to know bills (HB53!), subcommittee work will be done by House ED&A and Labor.  See the sidebar for details -- on the high priority list here is HB673 -- an LGC backed measure to make it easier for member Cities and Towns to withdraw from the Retirement System without the legal protections for employees now on the books.  Labor was there last session and will continue to fight this bad bill.  See below Archive entry for March 6 for more details.

Also, check out the labor bill watch list posted on our downloads page and keep tabs there as the session begins and bills get filed!  

"Update on RTK bills...... 

Sept. 17, 2009. House Judiciary subcommittee assigned the retained right-to-know bills took testimony on HB53  this week and the firefighters were front and center.  Attorney Milner testified, again, that the bill is not the "housekeeping" measure the LGC claims it is, but an attempt to overturn court cases that the LGC dislikes.  Thankfully, the committee members appeared to see HB53  for what it is : an unnecessary limitation on those public bodies subject to RSA91-A.  The committee will vote next week (hopefully) to recommend the bill be killed.

The committee also voted to recommend "ITL" on the study commission bil (watch for a more specific LSR on nonprofits from Rep. Watrous) and "OTP" on HB379 - labor is looking at offering an amendment to the full committee.  Stay tuned!


2009 Recap and a look ahead.....

The budget and HB2  passed and the lawsuit season began in earnest. First out of the gate were the doctors and the Governor's attempt to raid their malpractice insurance fund  - the Superior Court ruled against the State's 110 million dollar money grab, finding that this legislative action violated the Constitution (a case closely watched by the labor community).  See our downloads page  for updates on this case.  Next came the nursing homes who convinced a judge to freeze 9 million dollars in a fund that State again claimed ownership of.

Labor was next : the SEA filed a class action  on behalf of retirees under the age of 65 who are having their pension checks reduced by (a collective) 5 million dollars - an action , like in the doctor's JUA case, that violates the Constitutional provisions protecting these vested rights. The New Hampshire Retirement Security Coalition was next : this class action similarly raises legal challenges to legislative tinkering with established and protected pension benefits.  Ourdownloads page has the details.

notable bills that passed :  two retirement spiking bills became law, HB641 (attempting to make the employer assessment more equitable) and the study commission is established to review the entire issue (SB108) - a good idea because this spiking issue is a red herring, newspaper headline issue only!

SB160 increased death benefits for retirement members and HB420  added more accidental disability protections.

notable bills that were killed: the 'retirement envy ' bills championed by certain Rep's (you know who you are) were soundly defeated : HB590 (age bill Group II) , HB591 (pension cap at base pay) , and HB532 (extra duty special pay) all went down because of Labor's collaborative efforts at the State House : special thanks are deserving for Dave Lang (Firefighters) and Ellie Carpenito (NHPA).

Attempts to peel away existing rights under our collective bargaining law  were rejected by the House and (thank you) the House Labor Committee. Defeated was an unworkable dispute resolution bill (HB46)and LGC attempts to repeal labor's recent gains on 'evergreen' (HB231) and card check (HB500).

Law enforcement played some good defense as well: NHPA  was instrumental in defeating the civilian review board bill (HB92) and the 'cops on tape' bill was defeated (HB312).

On a down note, HB632 passed the House policy committee but was unjustly killed by Finance --  these certified police officers working at the New Hampshire Hospital belong in Group II ; the fight goes on.

What's ahead:  the 'right to know' bills that were retained by the House Judiciary Committee are scheduled for a work session on September 15th and need to be monitored very closely. HB53 seeks to overturn the Firefighters' court victory that  included the LGC's HealthTrust within the grasp of RSA 91-A ; but the remedies available for successful plaintiffs who open locked government files should be beefed up !  See HB135 and HB425. Watch also HB328 a study bill dealing with non profits and 91-A  (HealthTrust??).

Lastly, important dates loom ahead -- see the Side Bar for details : Last day for bill requests in the House is September 25th!  Any ideas?

----------------------------
ARCHIVE : 2009

Tuesday June 30 Update

The Governor today signed the budget into law.  Game on!  Negotiations with the SEA (and Troopers) did not conclude today , so 12,000 or so State workers will go to work tomorrow under the evergreen provision of existing contracts.  The SEA and Troopers have offered creative solutions (including furloughs) that would save the State much more than the 25 million dollars the Governor seeks.  Still, State negotiators are responding with the same old proposals of give, give, and then give some more.  Talks will continue on Thursday.

Meanwhile a Judge has issued an order freezing millions of dollars in the NHMMJUA fund which the Governor seeks to raid to raise much needed revenue. The Superior Court also froze 8.8 million dollars in excess Medicaid money in a suit filed by a group of nursing homes. 

Friday June 19 Update

Well, this Wednesday will be big -- will this budget pass?  It should be razor close in the Senate  and many House democrats (including many in the Labor caucus) have vowed to vote against it because of the failure to include any new major revenue drivers (like, gambling) .

State employees have taken the worse blow , to be sure : no bumping rights (the Governor was instrumental in nixing a compromise deal reached late Thursday night) ; a tax on retirees under 65; closure of Tobey and the Laconia correctional facility; increase retirment rates for new hires; and massive layoffs.  The SEA  is urging its members to contact legislators and urge they send the budget back to conference.

The HB2 Committe of Conference report is out -- read the gory details here.

Thursday June 18 Update.
2:15 pm ---  Retirement issues are now being resolved by the Committee of Conference --  A COLA for retirees has been agreed upon at the same level as last year!  (60 Million from the Special Account)  Nice work!

Also, the conferees have agreed NOT to raise employee rates for retirement (except for new hired State employees) and to recalculate employer rates  based upon the State's reduced contributions to the employer costs on retirement.  

We await word on State retirees health insurance costs and bumping rights.  Stay tuned for more!

11:59 PM --- The Committee of Conference is near a deal, dramatic new cuts are being considered.  Unfortunately, bumping rights and the requirement that part timers go first have been suspended and the Governor is given 25$ million in discretionary cuts in personnel.  A long (and sad) day.  More in the morning.

Monday June 15 Update. 

HB590 is voted down by the Committee of Conference!  While this victory for labor still needs to wait for final passage of the budget  , it appears the 'work more for less' bill is dead. Great news for Group II members and bad news for Group II detractors and sponsors of this 'legislation  by panic' (Reps. Hawkins , Reagan, Kurk,  etc). 

Much more to follow tomorrow as the battle continues -- and thanks to everyone that appeared today to show Labor's commitment to holding our elected officials responsible -- the 'sea' of red shirts (retired teachers) to 'SEA' members to Police and Fire  - thanks , the showing was impressive.

Friday June 12 Update.

The battle over the budget continues ...   yesterday conferees from the House and Senate did agree to the Senate's version on the unfair tax on State retirees -- 65$ and 130$ reduction in pension checks for those retirees under age 65.  Monitor coverage here.  Legal challenges are now under review.

We'll update with any news from the State House throughout the day, but the testy HB2 issues are likely to be taken up on Monday.  Stay tuned!

 Wednesday June 10 Update.
HB590 (Group II age bill) dead ?  Not so fast!  Today the House ED&A committe voted to non-concur with the Senate amendment to the 'work more for less' bill and did not even recommend a committee of conference.  Rep. Harding (D. Lebanon) voiced the sentiment of the majority of the committee - 'without a change in the multiplier, why bother with this bill'. (Yes, she is a Democrat).

So, the bill meets a deserving death right? Nope. In a rather unusal move, the full House later in the day voted 170-165 to non-concur AND request a committee of conference - breathing life (a puff perhaps) back into this bill that , as introduced, seeks to make Group II members work longer for a reduced benefit.  Reps Leishman, P.McMahon, Foster, and Gould  have been named as House conferees -- we will be watching what happens from here, stay tuned!

The House also non-concurred with the HB335 a bill that creates a study committee on State retiree health insurance.  The House apparently didn't like the Senate's amendment that simply adds members to the committee, including two under 65 retirees.  Go figure? The House would rather have this bill killed than add individuals who are stake holders to the committee (sheesh).

In other action : HB641  is headed for committee of conference -  the House non-concurred with the Senate's version of this , so called, 'spiking' bill; the House will also agree to a committee of conference on SB108  the study bill on spiking (Senate version) and also the definition of "earnable compensation" (House amendment that the Senate didn't care for) ; and the House ED&A committee voted to concur with the Senate's version of HB519.

A busy day -- and tomorrow brings the budget and HB2 -- stay tuned here for more!


Monday June 8 Update.
 The conference committees began work today and there are no surprises to report.  The schedule of events will be that HB1 (the numbers bill) will be taken up first and then the real battle will begin this Thursday when HB2 (the devil in the details) is debated. Look for gambling, taxes and fees to dominate the news , but labor is hopeful that the conferees will also relook at the legality of the suspension of bumping rights and the unfair tax on State retirees under 65.  Stay tuned. 

Thursday June 4 Update.

Senate passes its version of the budget.
- yesterday the full Senate passed its version of HB2 (available here) and the budget battle moves to a Committe of Conference where the House and Senate will attempt to craft a final package for the Governor to sign.  These talks are scheduled to begin next Monday.  [you can read the Senate Finance Committee's recommended HB2 on the downloads page.]  The sections watched closely by labor were passed by the full Senate essentially intact. The Speaker has appointed to the Committee of Conference Reps Smith, Nordgren,Eaton,Almy and Kurk with alternates Reps DeJoie, Hatch and Major.

The Senate also passed HB590 (as amended by the Senate) -- this is the Group II age bill which originally was dubbed the 'work longer for less' bill.  The Senate version only increased the number of years to 25 -- Rep. Hawkins (a sponsor of the original bill and many similar attacks on public employees) has been quoted as saying he is so disappointed in the Senate that the House should 'non-concur' (and the bill would die altogether).  That's good too!  Stay tuned.

Other stuff:

HB641  passed the Senate

SB108 has been nonconcurred by the Senate and Senators Cilley,Fuller Clark and Downing have been appointed to the Committee of Conference.

HB685 the House concurred

HB420  and HB335 passed;  HB312  was killed

the Senate concurred with SB160

Monday June 1 Update

The budget bills will be voted on by the Senate this Wednesday --  the full amendment versions (HB1 and HB2)and a labor section version of HB2 are available on the downloads  page.

Thursday May 28 Update.

The Senate Finance Committee today approved a "13th check" ($1000 to $1500) for certain NHRS  retirees (those with 15 years of service and receiving less than $20,000/ year pension) -- a modest sum but intended to take some of the sting out of the other changes (health care!) under consideration. A nice gesture indeed for those retirees living on a very modest pension.  Read the amendment to HB2 here.

Late last night (actually early this morning), the Committee narrowly defeated a drastic measure to cut another 28 million dollars from those bargaining units now negotiating new contracts with the State (SEA, Troopers).  Read the amendment here. This proposal is not expected to resurface.

Also, expanded gambling was approved (slot machines at existing race tracks and at "destination" casinos) which will bring in an estimated 180 million dollars over the next biennium.  This revenue generator was promoted by most public sector Unions.

The Senate Finance Committee is now wrapping up its work and the full Senate version of the budget will be voted on by that body on Wednesday, June 3rd.  Then, it's off to a Committee of Conference where the Senate and House will attempt to reach an accord on a final budget. 

Labor will be there fighting for all public employees.  Stay tuned!

Sunday May 24 Update.
 

The Senate budget sub-committee finished up its review of the appropriations contained HB1 and HB2  yesterday and the full Finance Committee will review the revenue side (taxes etc) first thing on Tuesday with a vote on a recommended budget that day as well.  Some estimate the current budget shortfall at 370 million dollars! The full Senate will vote on these recommendations by June 4.  Some of the (mostly) "low lites" include:

-- a 65$ monthly tax on current state employee retirees and another 65$ per month whack for married retirees;

-- the suspension of bumping rights for laid off state workers and (can you believe it?) the suspension of the requirement that part time employees be let go before full time workers!  Ouch.

-- current State Trooper vacancies will be filled by soon to be laid off border patrol personnel;

-- the closing of the Tobey school in September;

-- a study committee to look at rolling Liquor Enforcement into the State Police.

Read the proposed amendments here.

One good development came in the form of an amendment  offerd by Senators Larsen and Hassan which rolled back the increase in retirement rates, except only state employees hired after June 30, 2009.  (go figure that disitinction out??).

There will be much more next week --  stay tuned here for updates throughout the week ahead. 

Friday May 15 Update.

The budget battle will wage on big time next week with the Senate Finance Committee scheduling work sessions Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The current plan contemplates a Committee vote the following Tuesday (May 26) and a full Senate vote Thursday June 4th.  These hearings are critical as it is within the two budget bills (HB1 and HB2) that we battle over layoffs, elimination of bumping rights, the increase in employee retirement rates, the reduction in the State's retirement contributions, the increase in State retiree health insurance costs, State boards and agencies consolidation, and more.

As reported last week, the Senate killed HB532 , the Rep. Hawkins' bill that would have eliminated extra duty/special pay as a pensionable benefit.  This was done despite LGC's efforts to amend the bill to apply only to non vested employees -- the Senate did not budge!  However, the issue of earnable compensation is not likely to just go away.  We still have study bills  that may keep the issue alive over the summer and promises from some State Rep's that a wholesale review of retirement benefits is in order.  Stay tuned!

The retirement bills passed by the Senate (HB641 HB590 and HB420) will now be heard by the Senate Finance Committee. Rep. Hawkins is not pleased that his attempts to reduce pension benefits earned by hard working public employees has not succeeded.  Read the Union Leader story here.

Last week also brought about the end of HB349, the measure seeking to shield legislator's email traffic from RSA 91-A. The Senate sent the bill to the deleted folder!

Finally, hearings are scheduled for this Tuesday on HB335 (regarding the State retiree health commission) and that quirky law enforcement video bill, HB312.  Stay 'tuned' here for more.

Senate pulls through for labor !

Wednesday May 13.  The Senate today passed , as amended , HB590 on a 24 - 0 vote!  They also killed on a voice vote HB532  -- the right move indeed!  HB420 , increasing  accidental disability benefits, also passed on a voice vote.  President of Manchester Fire Local 856  Bill Clayton said, "We appreciate the Senate standing with the men and women who protect us all every day and night".  More to follow.

Friday May 8 Update.

The Senate hearing last Tuesday was jammed packed with labor leaders urging the Senate ED&A committee members to undue some of the damage done in the House on retirement.  Unionized public employees can thank their leadership as the Committee voted 4-0 to kill HB532! The fact is extra duty special pay has not caused the problems the retirement system faces today -- rather underpaying employers and the market are most to blame. 

Good news also on HB590 - the Group II age bill. The Senate comittee amended the bill (with the urging from labor) to only increase the vesting time to 25 years (up from 20) and to leave the benefit level the same (2 1/2/% multiplier).  No age requirment .... just 25 years and just for new hires!

HB420 and HB641 were also heard by the Committee. The Senate passed the measure increasing accidental disability benefits and the spiking bill which will need to be watched carefully.

The Senate will vote on these bills this Wednesday.  Stay tuned!

Friday May 1 Update.

Well, it's game time this Tuesday , with the Senate scheduling public hearings on the pending retirement bills passed by the House. HB420 (a disability-benefit bill) will be taken up along with these remaining 'big three' : HB532 (exclusion of extra or special duty pay), HB590 (Group II age/multiplier), and HB641 (the so called spiking charge). The expansion of the disability benefit bill deserves to pass, but the fight to kill the big three is now on!  Will April showers bring May flowers? We'll see!

The House ED&A committee met last Wednesday and voted out two retirement bills: SB200  is a bill that allows members of the  retirement system who die while performing qualified military service to receive ordinary death benefits, as provided in the federal Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008.  The commitee amended the Senate version by deleting the 'remarriage' discontinuance reference so as to conform with the committee's similar amendment to SB160.  The committe also acted on SB108, the Senate's retirement study bill.  Wath out! The committee amended the bill to include for "study" items such as 'earnable compenstation' as well as the entire benefit package earned by public employees.  We need to study this study bill over the summer.  These two bills go to the full House next Wednesday.

Finally, as expected, the House last Wednesday voted 283 to 46 to kill SB145  - the Senate's atempt to forbid employers from denying time off to employee board members of the NHRS. Wow!  The House did pass (as amended) SB160 on a much closer vote of 198 to 137 -- (a bill that benefits public employees). 

Let's hope that more cooler and more reasonable heads prevail in the Senate next week! 

Friday April 24 Update.

Can you believe this?  The House ED&A Committee is at it again, voting 13-6 last Monday to kill SB145 - a measure that simply forbids employers from refusing to allow NHRS Trustees time off to attend Board meetings. The mantra of 'Unfunded Mandate' was hauled out again by LGC types and those Legislators apparenly fascinated by Retirement System matters.  Well, at least the Committee did see fit to pass SB160  which expands benefits to the survivors of employees killed in the line of duty.  These bills go to the House floor next Wednesday.

Last Thursday, an overflow crowd crammed the public hearing on SB132  - the bill that seeks to advance the Governor's plan to merge several State agencies.  The merger plan - which would affect hundreds of State employees - was a major component of the Governor's budget address but faces major hurdles in the House. The House ED&A Committee meets on the bill again next Wednesday.

Next week also brings us action on HB349 - an interesting bill that seeks to shield legislator's email from the right to know law. The Senate Election Law Committee  takes the measure up on Tuesday. In the House, the ED&A Committee will vote on SB108  next Thursday, the Senate's retirement study commission plan.  Will this worthy measure meet the same fate as SB145?  We'll see!

Finally, the the two retirement disasters passed by the House (HB532 - extra duty pay and HB590 - Group II age /benefit bill) have yet to be scheduled for hearing in the Senate, but they are in the news.  According to Representative Hawkins ( the major Republican behind most of the attacks on the Retirement System and public employees), these bills don't have a chance in the Senate.  Read the Union Leader coverage here.  On this score, let's hope he is right!

Friday April 17 Update.
A rather quiet week, with the Senate holding its public budget hearings on the road and the retirement bills still not scheduled for hearings in the Senate.  You know its a quiet week when all the LGC has to complain about is the bill that forbids employers from refusing time off to employee trustees on the Retirement Board in order to attend NHRS meetings.  SB145 gets voted on by the House ED&A Committee next Tuesday along with SB160, the bill that allows the surviving spouse of a group II retirement system member who is killed or dies in the performance of duty to continue to receive a retirement system annuity after the surviving spouse remarries.

ED&A will also conduct work sessions next Wednesday on the Senate's retirement system study bill (SB108) and SB200, a bill that  allows beneficiaries of retirement system members who die while performing qualified military service to receive ordinary death benefits, as provided in the federal Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008. 
 

Friday April 10 Update.

The Budget and the Trailer Bill both passed the House as expected and in the form as recommended by the majority of the House Finance Committee.   Thus the State and municipal employers made out rather well while employees and retirees face an unfair and unequal "share of the pain". Here's the scorecard :

* return of the Rooms and Meals tax to employers -- plus 58.8  million each year of the biennium.

* 2% tax on employee contributions to the retirement system (this is up to a 40% increase) -- plus 100 million for employers as their rates will be adjusted dowward.

* let's throw in the millions the State will gain by imposing an 11.5% tax on State retirees under age 65 and the reduction in retirement contributions on behalf of municipal workers.

* and let's  pile on by adding the plus 38 million dollars employers will gain by raising the Group II retirement age and decreasing their benefit calculation. (HB590  passed, again, on Thursday).

There is no doubt,government workers and (shamelessly) retirees are being asked to balance a budget while at the same time face property tax, gas tax and other increases just like their fellow taxpayers. 

The Senate will take input next week and the unfariness of this House budget must be emphasized.

Other stuff:

The effort to include NH Hospital Campus Police in Group II was voted down by the House on the recommendation of the Finance Committee. Yes, HB632  was defeated but because this measure passed overwhelmingly by the House ED&A Committee (the Committee that is charged to set policy!), this measure could resurface as an amendment to a bill before the Senate.  Stay tuned.

Well, we have reached crossover, so the measures passed by the House now go to the Senate.  The retirement system disaster (HB532  - detail pay/earnable compensation; HB590  - Group II age requirement; HB641  - the spiking charge ; and others) is likely to get the Senate's attention all in one "retirement week".  In turn, the House ED&A Committee will take up the Senate's retirement bills next Thursday.  (See Sidebar). 

Friday April 3 Update.

The House Finance Committee delivered on its promise to make public employees "share the pain" by imposing unfair taxes on active and retired public servants.  Increases in employee retirement contributions by 2% and  deducting State employee retirees' pension checks by 11% for health insurance lead the way. Where to start?

#1 Increasing retirement rates for employees is not only unfair (see below) it's probably illegal.  How soon we forget --  in a 175 page report issued by a legislative study commission in January 2008, the NH Attorney General's office was asked whether increasing employee retirement rates was legal.  Here's the exchange:

Can employee contribution rates be increased for all active members (not just new hires)? Yes, providing there is a commensurate benefit for them. The concept of equivalency is important, and can also apply to benefit reductions. If a benefit is reduced for employees who have a contractual right, it may be ok, providing there is a fair trade-off.

So where there is no "fair trade off" the increase for vested members (at least) is a contract clause violation!

#2 Increasing the retirement contribution rates is not sound policy. Employees have paid more into the retirement system than employers (by some 230 million dollars since 1982) and the two major factors for the system's current problems involve employers not paying their proper share (and the legislature passing laws to insure this) and the overall downturn in investment returns.  Public employees did not create the problems with the retirement system and did not create the State's current budget crisis -  so , they should not be expected to shoulder an unfair burden to correct these problems.

#3 Breaking the promise made to State employee retirees is unfair and unconstitutional.   These folks worked under an agreement (by statute) that upon retirement the State would pay the premium for their health insurance.  To renege on this promise to this most  vulnerable population is shameful and , as the the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals determined just last year, may well be illegal (sound familiar?)( Union Leader coverage here  Monitor coverage here).

The House votes on the budget next Wednesday . The good news?  These decisions still need Senate approval -- stay tuned.

------------------------------------

Retirement Re-cap (or autopsy)

The two 125% / spiking bills : the moratorium bill (HB223) passed both the House and Senate. If signed into law (expected), the effective date for the spiking charge will be pushed back to July 1. 2010.  The other bill (HB641) makes further refinements including raising the floor above wich pensions may not exceed by 125% from the base rate to the AFC rate (a necessary change to an unneccessary bill) and phases in payments over a four year period.  This bill passsed the House and will 'crossover' to the Senate. Remember, even the actuaries hired by the NHRS state that this anti spiking bill is not needed and is a response to a newspaper headline, not facts!.

Earnable compensation : The House did vote against the majority report of the ED&A committee and struck extra duty/detail pay from the definition of earnable compensation. HB532 is another legislative knee jerk reaction to perceived wrongs with the retirement system.  Further, this bill affects everyone, not just new hires, so a legal challenge is likely in the event this bill passes the Senate and becomes law.  Let's hope not. 

Group II Age requirment : HB590 passed the House Finance Committee (22-1) and will be back on the House floor next Wednesday.  This bill requires new hires in Group II to work longer (age 50 with 25 years) to earn a 50% pension.  Again, a reaction to a perceived problem and not the facts as to why the system is not adequately funded.  Pension envy abounds. 

Right to know re-cap

Most of these bills were retained by the House Judiciary Committee for further study over the spring/summer including HB53 and HB673, two LGC backed proposals that need to be watched very closely. One would make the LGC exempt from 91-A and the other strips employees of necessary protections in the event an employer leaves the retirement system.  We'll be watching!

Labor bills

Many of the bills on our watch list have been retained as the Labor Committee (the '11-7' committee), will do a comprehensive review of RSA 273-A over the summer. Again, these types of study efforts need to be watched closely by labor.  Many thanks to the Committee for killing the repeal efforts on the evergreen  clause and WMA (card check).

Other stuff

HB632 and the effort to include NH HospitalCampus Police in Group II had quite a journey through the House and will be voted on (again) this Wednesday.  These folks are fully certified police officers and meet all of the statutory requirements for inclusion as "permanent policemen".  This bill passed the ED&A Committee by a 18-1 vote after hearing from , among others, Colonel Fred Booth of the NH State Police who described in detail the life threatening dangers these officers face on a daily basis (the Colonel also displayed for the Committee many of the weapons that have been confiscated from "patients" at the hospital).  The House followed suit and passed the bill on a voice vote.  Enter the Finance Committee and Rep Kurk.  Rep. Kurk moved to kill the bill because , he claims, when jurisdiction over this police force was moved from DHHS to Safety, the Legislature was "assured" no inclusion into Group II would be sought.  Huh?  We double checked and no such assurances were made. In any event, the bottom line is that these folks meet the statutory defintion for inclusion and the House's original voice vote should be restored.  We'll see.

Speaking of police officers, there sems to be an audio/video war going on between SB126 and HB312.  The Senate bill sought to remove the requirment for officers to announce audio recordings at routine stops and the House bill seeks to allow citizens to record (audio and video) officers in the course of their official duties. The Senate bill was voted down by the Senate Judiciary Committee (4-1) abd the House voted for their bill over the ITL recommendation of the House Criminal Justice Committee.  "Watching and listening" how this collision works out should be interesting. 

Finally, congratulations again to the New Hampshire Police Association  and their lobbyist extraordinaire, Ellie Carpenito for working against and killing HB92  (civilian police review boards) !

Friday Mar 27 Update.

Wednesday's floor fight on HB532 was something to see, indeed.  The House , urged on by Rep. Hawkins (LGC's rep. of the week), voted against the majority report of the ED& A Committee 151-191 -  a rare rebuke by the House .  The original bill was then voted on which excludes extra duty detail pay from the Group II pension .  The vote was close 189 - 185 and this bill will get some serious attention in the Senate .  The House did go with the recommendation of the ED&A committee and killed HB591 (pension cap) over Rep. Hawkins' vigorous challenge on the House floor.

The Labor Committee (and the labor community) fared much better as the House killed the repeal efforts on the evergreen clause (HB 231) and card check (HB500).

We'll have much more this Friday including the House Finance Committee's "share the pain" campaign which has , so far, raised employees' retirement contributions, taxed State employee retirees for health insurance (Monitor coverage here) and, if you can believe it, even overturned a House voice vote on HB632  placing NH Hospital Police in Group II (where they belong!).  Good grief, what a week, and Labor turns its weary eye toward the Senate!

retirement:

The LGC was not happy with the votes taken by the ED&A Committee, so Labor must be doing something to stay the tidal wave like, anti-pension fever that abounds there.

Extra /special duty pay : as expected, HB532  was amended to keep special duty pay as a pensionable benefit but will require employers to charge and pay for the entire contribution to the retirement system.  The debate was heated and a floor fight is expected on Tuesday.

The Committee also voted to ITL the base pay cap on pensions (HB591) and to retain the LGC's "policy bill" (HB673) making it easier to withdraw from the NHRS. Maybe next time LGC!  The so called, spiking charge bill passed (HB641) giving employers additional time to make the payments.

labor bills:

The Labor Committee  killed HB231 , the repeal effort on the evergreen clause. (LGC loses).  The repeal effort of Written Majority Authorization (card check) was also defeated. (LGC loses again). Expect floor fights on these next week. The Committee also retained a bargaining bill (HB631) in order to conduct a complete review of RSA 273-A this spring/summer.

State employees:

As the budget winds its way through the House, the SEA is fighting off layoffs, protecting bumping rights and attacking the Governor's plan to charge retirees $100/ $200 month for health insurance.  We have prepared legal memoranda ("white papers") and are working with Legislative legal staff to ward off these attacks.  The charge to retirees is especially cruel, as these folks have worked under (and earned) the promise of health insurance and we plan to make the State keep its word!

Other stuff:

The Judiciary Committee has retained all of the right to know bills, including HB53.  We'll need to watch these efforts closely over the summer. The Finance Committee not only approved the Governor's plan to reduce the State's contribution to the retirement system down from 35% to 30%, but voted to further reduce that amount in FY2011 to 25%!  This means less aid to Cities and Towns who will , no doubt, take this out on the backs of public employees.  Stay tuned and contact your Union leadership for more on how you can help.

Friday Mar 13 Update.

The Governor's Office of Economic Stimulus (NH OES )  briefed the Legislature on Monday on some of the details of how New Hampshire may benefit from the federal stimulus bill (ARRA).  Plans are out, for example, to provide aid/jobs to law enforcement (1 billions dollars nationwide) and capital improvements for firefighters  (210 million nationwide).  Good news, perhaps, for those police departments in need of more bodies and for those Towns in dire need of new fire houses.

The Retiree Health Care Commission heard from NCPERS who advocated for the creation of a statewide Retiree Medical Trust (RMT) to fund retiree health insurance.  The idea is rather simple :  local communities negotiate with Union leaders to contribute pre tax money to the RMT (you can even contribute unused sick leave) ; the RMT invests the money and the earnings are tax free; then a defined benefit (based on the health of the trust) is paid out (tax free!) for medical expenses.  The idea was well received by the Committee who established a subcommittee to further review the proposal. Speaking of retirement........

Wednesday next, the House ED&A Committee will vote on four retirement bills :

 HB532: this bill, as introduced, seeks to eliminate detail pay from the pension calculation, a dramatic dimunition of benefits for all Group II, especially police! However, focus has shifted in the subcommittee to the issue of  making sure Cities and Towns that contract out and receive payment for details pay back the State for their 35% they contribute on that money to the retirement system. Look for an amendment to come in where detail pay stays and the State gets their money!  Good work Rep. Sullivan and PFFNH President Dave Lang !

HB591:  this bill seems to be the favorite of those on the Committee who cannot get beyond the headlines and the inflated claims that pensions are artificially increased by 'gaming' the system at careers' end. However, capping pensions at 100% of base pay cheats those that will earn other compensation over their careers (overtime, coaching stipends, etc) and pay a percentage of that money into the retirement system!

Even the LGC admits that the headline stories are rare occurrences . Indeed, this bill cheats the vast majority of employees in order to address a problem that doesn't exist. Which brings us to.............

HB641: the "anti-spiking" bill.  Funny isn't it: when the Legislature attempts to reduce pensions because of headlines, the LGC is all for it, but when those same  headlines lead to bills that make the employers pay for their role in "spiking", the LGC is opposed.  This bill phases in the spike charge, but (and to be consistent!) this bill should be killed:  like HB591, this bill attempts to fix a problem that doesn't exist - as the retirement system's actuaries have stated!  But it might get even worse, as the alternative proposals to HB641 (coming out of the retirement system, if you can believe it) fix an imaginary problem by gutting the current definition of earnable compensation.  Watch out!

 HB673:  the retirement system mass exodus bill proposed by the LGC (hmm perhaps the LGC wants to get into the public pension business?). This bill should be ITL'd as it will force employer rates up and removes necessary employee protections from the existing statute  governing leaving the system.

Other stuff :  Bargaining bills - the House Labor Committee  will likely retain HB631 (a good idea) and will study this measure , along with a comprehensive look at revisions to RSA 273-A , over the spring and summer.  We'll need to watch that effort, for sure.  HB46   (a clumsy dispute resolution bill) and  HB305  (right to strike) met an expected ITL.

Next week also brings a number of votes (House Judiciary) on right to know bills (HB53,  HB135 , HB266, HB328 and HB379). 

On Wednesday the House Labor Committee  will vote on HB231 , the effort to repeal the evergreen provision won by labor last session. As well, hopefully the Committee will vote down HB500  (the effort to repeal Written Majority Authorizations).  

The House Finance Committee (Div 1) will take up on Wednesday three bills that have passed their initial vote in the House : HB420 , 590 and 632.

Finally, next week the Senate will hold a public hearing on SB108  a study committee bill on 'spiking' that may  also serve as a holding spot for House retirement bills that crossover.

Friday Mar 6 Update.
The blue print is out ... the devil is in the details of HB2  outlining the specifics of the Governor's budget.  From prison closures, layoffs to the suspension of bumping rights, this bill will be scrutinized and debated heavily.  The SEA  will be reviewing the language  on the suspension of bumping rights and assessing all available legal options.  We believe , as the Legislature did in 1992 when bumping rights were last revised, that these rights are vested property rights protected by the NH Constitution.  See Monitor coverage here . Stay tuned!

 HB673 had its public hearing and a subcommittee work session this week. We were there testifying to labor's objections to LGC's attempt to make it easier for employers to quit the retirement system, take back all the money employees have paid into the system and remove existing protections of benefits.  (See PFFNH's written submittal here). The retirement system states that this bill will result in more increases to employer rates and the bill removes the requirement that a certified actuary report detail that the employer leaving the system will provide equivalent benefits.  The subcommittee meets again on Monday -- we'll be there.

Well, the house passed HB590  increasing the age requirement and lowering benefits for new hires into Group II.  Despite the efforts of Reps. Sullivan , Perkins and Bridle who delivered moving orations on the House floor, the measure passed 279 to 90.  The bill moves to the House Finance Committee and the battle continues.

Some good news, HB53 is likely to be  retained (along with the other right to know bills ) by the Judiciary Committee .  So we have fought off (for now) LGC's attempt to unwind the victory  labor won in court getting LGC covered by RSA 91-A.

The week ahead :

Monday the HB1645 Retiree Health Care Study Committee  meets and will here from representatives from NCPERS ; (also HB673 is back in subcommittee)

House floor action on Wednesday  will include HB514 (OPEB trusts) and HB519(state employees)

Thursday the PELRB's  budget is heard in Finance (Div 1); retirement bills are being voted on in ED&A (HB289 and HB401) and the Labor Committee  will deal with a number of measures (HB46, HB305,HB631).

Another busy week.....

Friday Feb 27 Update.

The vacation is just about over and the legislature returns to full action next week.  The public hearing on HB673 should be  fun, the LGC is calling all hands on deck to support  this attempt to allow Cities and Towns to drop out of the  Retirement System. Not a good bill . On Thursday a House Judiciary Committee subcommittee will consider several right to know bills, including the heavily watched HB53.  (Scroll down to our Jan. 14 and 16 updates).  We submitted testimony on behalf of PFFNH urging that the bill be killed.  Stay tuned!

Action on the House floor Wednesday will include the battle over HB590 , the bill that increases the retirement age and service requirements for Group II (police/fire) members . Good luck to Rep. Sullivan delivering the minority report!

retirement:

The so called 'spiking charge' issue is still causing much concern for employers and employees alike.  (See, HB1645 and HB641)  The retirement system's own actuaries recently confirmed in a report that the fear that employees are gaming the system is not real, but the creature of media headlines; and that the system's current billing arrangement (and 'loading factors') adequately funds pensions that are increased by end of service type payments. The actuaries believe no 'spiking charge' to employers is necessary but, surprisingly, the actuaries have compiled other languange attempting to fix a problem they do not believe exists.  These proposals include gutting the current defintion of 'earnable compensation' and applying caps on pensions.  Good grief! (and stay tuned).

medical subsidy

July 1, 2009 is the current date by which Group I members (teachers and employees) must retire to receive the medical subsidy!  While two bills headed for passage in the House on Wednesday fix certain glitches in current law, (HB633 and HB685),  the larger issue remains  --  no more subsidy past July 1, 2009! And there is no pending legislation seeking to fix this other than the HB1645 Health Commission .  It's very unlikely that the Commission will craft a solution by July. Maybe time to retire?

State employee layoffs

The lists of positions facing layoffs July 1 are being put together, and layoff notices are probably not far behind.  While the SEA is working with the Governor and legislative leaders to assess whether these layoffs are necessary, we are preparing for battle in the event seniority and bumping rights are not honored. (See Monitor coverage here.)

Friday Feb 20 Update.

The Governor ,this week, presented a few more details concerning his proposed budget to the Finance Committee and referenced an approximate 160 million dollars in state aid coming to New Hampshire from the federal stimulus package  approved by Congress. The hope is this money will help fend off the knee jerk reaction to cut jobs at the State and Local level.  The Finance Committee will , again, take the budget 'on the road' with hearings scheduled around the State.  As far as the Governor's proposed reductions in this year's budget, that effort sailed through the Legislature and , the buzz is, the proposed budget is likely to do the same.

As expected the so called  'spike charge' moratorium passed the House and now awaits action in the Senate.  Perhaps a renewed effort to kill the bill is next - a measure both Labor and Management agree upon.  An attempt to beef up the right to know law was derailed a bit as HB425  was retained by the House Judiciary Committee, meaning no further action on this bill this year.

Lastly, good news that Hb257  was voted ITL by the House Municipal and County Government Committee , as this bill would cause undue 'sticker shock' for voters considering warrant articles, including funding for collective bargaining agreements.  Also, hurray that the Senate bolstered the death benefits  for Group II members.  It's break week at the Legislature but much lies ahead, including the highly anticipated public hearing on HB673  which would allow cities and towns to withdraw from the retirement system! Stay tuned.

Friday Feb 13 Update.

retirement:

Certain members of the  House ED+A Committee are going after Group II benefits and employee representation on the NHRS Board of Trustees. Labor presented strong testimony against HB590 and HB591 which seek to make Group II members work longer and get less at retirement.  Fire and Police employees pay into the retirement system on every dollar they earn and do not qualify for Social Security.  The 45/20 threshold to receive a 50% pension (the average pension is under 20k per year) in such labor intensive and dangerous occupations should not be disturbed. 

Our opponents also want to strip employee representation on the Board of Trustees, attempting to blame them for the recent downturn in the market.  HB289 wants to rid the board of employees in favor of those with "expertise"; even though the employee trustees voted no on the switch to a questionable funding model which caused much of the mess; "experts" have had a big hand in the current economic crisis; and where out of the nearly 3000 public pension plans, only 4 have no employee representation on those Boards.

The moratorium bill (HB223) on charging cities and towns the so - called "spike charge" is likely to pass -- it goes to the House floor next week.  The technical change to the spike charge (HB641) garnered mixed support from cities and towns (and the LGC) because, as to both bills, a repeal of that entire section of HB1645 is what should happen.  Labor took no official position on these, but there is general agreement that the spike charge does nothing to maintain the stability of the sysytem.

other stuff:

The repeal effort of  'Written Majority Authorization'  (HB500)  received a luke warm reception before the House Labor Committee - and for good reason.  The statute  in effect has worked well and offers public employees an inexpensive and hassle free process to organize and bargain.  The committee will vote on this measure next week. 

Going to sub-committee is HB46, a dispute resolution bill that , while well intentioned to end the 'road to nowhere' that is the current bargaining scheme, has some technical difficulties.  Stay tuned.

Finally, congratulations to the SEA and the NH Hospital Campus Police for garnering majority support of the ED+A committee to enter Group II of the Retirement System.  Perhaps more groups that are certified police / correction officers should also belong?  Stay tuned.

Friday Feb 6 Update.

a big week for retirement

What a week -and next week will be just as crucial for retirement bills at the Legislature.  We'll have more details soon (webmaster in Florida!), but be aware that next Wednesday, the House ED+A Committee will be having a marathon work session on many important (and potentially devastating) retirement bills - and votes will be taken on Thursday.   HB590  leads the way where certain legislators again are attempting to increase the age for Group II eligibility (while decreasing the multiplier).  Also, special detail pay is under attack. See AP Coverage here.     Some good news ... NHPA  efforts pay off , the civilian review board bill  is unanimously voted down. 

Also to watch next week is the repeal effort of the right of public workers to install a bargaining representative by "Written Majority Authorization".  This newly created statutory change to RSA 273-A is important to those employee groups starting out and allows bargaining rights to begin without long, expensive hearings before the PELRB.  HB500 should be defeated.  As should a troublesome dispute resolution bill, HB46.  The right to strike bill is on for hearing on Wednesday -- should be fun to watch.

Friday Jan 30 Update.

retirement under siege

This is bad, maybe worse than last session.
The attack on benefits are many -- in fact, Feb 11 could go down as Black Wednesday if these proposals gain steam.  From reducing earnable compensation to increasing age/time requirements these bills leave no stone unturned.

also, the , so -called, 125% penalty fix, is out. Check out HB641 -- it seems to do the trick, we'll see. 

In other news : HB249 (medic/hospital bill) is likely headed for the scrap heap as the House HHS committee voted unanimously last Tuesday to kill it.  The bill - intended to prohibit Hospitals from interfering with paramedics on scene from making standard of care decisions- was viewed as duplicative because the well operating system on statewide protocols adequately  handles this issue.  Also headed for defeat is HB114 - a measure designed to give more substance to the 'deliberative session' - ; the bill, the commitee decided, did not give due regard to the adverse affect the bill might have in SB2 communities. 

Friday Jan 23 Update.

bills, bills, and more bills....

HB500, just out, seeks to repeal important majority sign up provisions of RSA 273-A that were won by labor last session.  Bad bill.

HB532, another attack on the Retirement System.  A bill that reduces vested benefits -- can they do that?

HB46, another plan to address impasse reolution.

HB349,  are the emails sent to our elected officials private or public?

HB92, volunteer civilian police review boards --  NHPA came out big against, a very bad bill indeed.

SB108, more on retirement (and more to come!).

Friday Jan 16 Update.

 Here's a brief overview of bills introduced so far.......

HB30, the governor's plan to institute budget cutbacks was unveiled.  This affects more than State employees --  police and fire State academies are in the cross fire as well.  The bill is expected to be voted on by the House Finance Committee next week.

 HB53 needs to be killed.  The LGC should not be allowed to overturn important and  valid court decisions by legislation (see below).  (Union Leader coverage here.) 

 There are two bills that would remove employee positions from the Retirement System Board -- the board that oversees the money!  We need to watch HB401 and HB 289.   The 125% penalty facing cities and towns (and making it difficult to negotiate contracts) may be delayed if HB223 passes.

Other stuff : paramedic protocols and how hospitals deal with them; law enforcement faces losing the protections of privacy  laws; other right to know bills;  town meeting bills; and an attempt to kill labor's evergreen bill victory . It's a busy legislative session (already).

_________________________________

HB 53 : housekeeping bill or is there more to the story?

January 14, 2009. The Judiciary committee heard what appeared to be a 'grammar correcting' bill regarding the the Right-To-Know Law (RSA 91-A) and the section defining who is covered by this important law. (RSA 91-A:1-a VI (d)).  But, the LGC did not get away with it : labor and right to know advocates turned out in force to set the record straight.  This bill is not a housekeeping bill but may well constrict the reach of our Constitutional rights to a free and open government. 

 Cola commission hears more from actuary.

January 13, 2009.  More numbers considered from the experts, but the mood remains somber : employees will pay for a most modest COLA.  Interesting legal issues arise , however : can a new hire be required to fund the COLA for a soon to be retiree with no guarantee for the same benefit?  Stay tuned.

HB 30 ...   Ouch!

January 8, 2009.  Well, here are the details, take a peek.  Retirement System contributions cut 1.5 million ; Fire Standards and Training - 2 million; Police Standards and Training - 2 million; Department of Safety - 1.6 million.  This could hurt.  Stay tuned the Finance Committee takes the bill up January 13 and 14th. 

Cola commission starting to narrow its focus.

December 12, 2008.  The news isn't that good --  taking a dim but perhaps realistic view of what employers and current employees can afford as far as increase in rates, the majority of the committee seems ready to recommend a COLA proposal along these lines : 1. 100% funded by employees 2. COLA's to be delayed until 3 to 5 years after retirement 3. COLA's only on the first $30,000 of the pension and 4. a 15 year service eligibility requirement.  And all of that for a 2% COLA!.  (Yikes!).  The committee will meet again once the actuaries have compiled the numbers.  Stay tuned.




Health commission sets busy agenda.

December 10, 2008.  Senator Janeway has scheduled a busy agenda for the Health Commission, scheduling hearings into March 2009.  The Committee also splt into two sub-groups to more fully analyze potential options.  The initial goal appears to be to gather sufficient baseline information, schedule expert presentations and to analyze other multi-employer , public retirement systems to see how they fund these important benefits. Stay tuned.

HB1645 study commissions issue their Interim reports.

December 4, 2008.  The interim reports are out.  COLA report and Health Commission report.

Last day to file bills in the Senate.

November 24, 2008 : The last day to file bills in the Senate has been announced as December 5, 2008.

HB1645- quick update.

October 15, 2008 : The Health Commission today heard from representatives from WageWorks , a big time private firm that administers many health plans, with an emphasis on HSA's and FSA's. The committee received an overview of the types of plans utilized around the country to provide retiree health insurance.  The committee will next split into two sub groups : one will analyze the current framework in place to assess whether existing vehicles (such as the State's self insurance program) can be expanded or modified to meet the need and the other will review models employed in other States which provide this essential benefit.

 The COLA commission continues its work next week and the emphasis (unfortunately)appears to be centered on employee only contributions to fund future COLAS.  The COLA issue also presents complex legal issues concerning the constitutional protections that retirees enjoy that restrict the ability of the legislature to go back on promises made in the past.  Stay tuned. 

retirement study commissions will post information and data they receive on the WEB.

In order to keep everyone up to date on their work, both study commissions have set up pages on the State's website. Check it out. Health benefit page.  COLA page. The documentation is available and the testimony received at hearings will be recorded and available as well.

Retirement study commissions begin work.

The two study commissions established by HB1645 are underway - one to look at the future of COLA's and the other is charged the simple task of tackling retiree health insurance. The COLA commission met August 19, 2008 and elected rep. Peter Schmidt as chair. The commitee will meet on Thursdays. The health committee met Tuesday August 26, 2008 and Senator Janeway was elected chair. Check the Hearing Dates sidebar and our downloads page for more.  Stay tuned for future updates --  we're watching it!


a look back

Here's a quick review of how labor fared in the last legislative session:

Retirement :   HB1645 --  Labor Unions united, defeat attack on pensions earned by public employees.

Bargaining  :   HB1127 --  Now bargaining available for units less than ten in number.

Free Speech :  HB436 --    Free speech protections expanded to all public employees.

State Employees :  SB327 -- Added protections for state workers injured in the line of duty.

Evergreen clause :   HB1436 -- Step increases now must be paid when contract expires.

Important Dates

Thursday        April 29,2010

Finance            LOB 210-211

SB450             (budget cuts)

Wednesday    April 28, 2010

Senate Judiciary     SH 103

HB1372       (wiretap comm.)

Tuesday         April 27, 2010

SB450             (budget cuts)

Ways and Means,Public Works and Finance.

House ED&A          LOB 204

SB470               (retirement)

House Judiciary      LOB 208

SB425                    (RTK)

Thursday         April 22,2010

Finance             LOB 210-211

SB450            (budget cuts)

Tuesday          April 20, 2010

House ED&A          LOB 306

SB322             (State Police)

SB357   (judicial retirement)

SB470               (retirement)

SB504                    (spiking)

Finance             LOB 210-211

SB450               (budget cuts)

Thursday         April 15, 2010

Joint Finance      LOB 210-211

SB450               (budget cuts)

House Loc./Reg.Rev. LOB 303

SB489                 (gambling)

Tuesday        April 13, 2010

House ED&A           LOB 306

SJR2                      (RMT)

House Loc./Reg.Rev. LOB 303

SB490                 (gambling)

Senate Commerce    LOB 102

HB1137     (wage withholding)

Monday        April 12, 2010

Fiscal Comm.     LOB 210-211

Governor's Budget Reductions

Tuesday          April 6, 2010

House Labor             LOB 307

SB358           (whistleblower)

House Loc./Reg.Rev.  LOB 305

SB489                 (gambling)

SB490                 (gambling)

Senate ED&A             LOB 101

HB1579        (electioneering)

HB1668     (Group II medical)

Thursday         April 1, 2010

SB504                    (spiking)

Tuesday       March 30, 2010

Senate Judiciary     SH 103

HB425                    (RTK)

House ED&A          LOB 306

SB322              (State Police)

SB357     (judicial retirement)

SB470                (retirement)

House Judiciary      LOB 208

SB425                    (RTK)

House Labor          LOB 307

SB358           (whistleblower)

Tuesday       March 16, 2010

House ED&A          LOB 306

SB357   (judicial retirement)

Monday          March 8, 2010

Senate ED&A          LOB 101

SJR2                     (RMT)

Thursday        March 4, 2010

Senate Pub/Mun Aff.  LOB103

SB487                 (tax caps)

SB488                 (tax caps)

House Finance        LOB 210

HB1428             (retirement)

HB1668     (Group II medical)

House CJ&PS          LOB 204

HB1579         (electioneering)

Tuesday        March 2, 2010

Senate ED&A          LOB 101

HB1131       (firefighter cert.)

SB504                    (spiking)

Tuesday   February 16, 2010

House ED&A          LOB 306

HB1182     (state employees)

Senate Commerce  LOB 102

SB358         (whistleblower)

Thursday    February 11, 2010

House CJ&PS       LOB 204

HB1134     (law enforcement)

Tuesday      February 9, 2010

HB1131       (firefighter cert.)

HB1372       (wiretap comm.)

HB1492     (law enforcement)

HB1533            (annulments)

House ED&A          LOB 306

HB1182     (state employees)

House Labor           LOB 307

HB1137    (wage withholding)

Thursday    February 4, 2010

House Finance LOB 210-211

HB268       (state employees)

House Judiciary  LOB 208

HB1284     (RTK - minutes)

HB1356   (RTK - nonprofits)

HB1362   (RTK Commission)

House Labor           LOB 307

HB1137   (wage withholding)

Tuesday      February 2, 2010

House CJ&PS  LOB 204

HB1131       (firefighter cert.)

HB1680       (corrections)

House ED&A    LOB 306

 Retirement bills (exec):

HB1277     (Group I medical)

HB1428     (death benefits)

HB1530     (earnable comp.)

HB1576    (restore to service)

HB1646     (corrections)

HB1668     (Group II medical)

HB1681     (teachers)

HB1682     (smoothing)

---------

HB1579        (electioneering)

Thursday    January 28, 2010

House CJ&PS  LOB 204

HB1492    (law enforcement)

House Labor   LOB 307

HB1614     (State employees)

HB1645       ("right to work")

Wednesday January 27, 2010

House ED&A    LOB 306

HB1512      (judicial ret.)

House Finance LOB 210-211

HB268       (state workers)

Tuesday      January 26, 2010

House ED&A    LOB 306

 Retirement bills :

HB1277     (Group I medical)

HB1428     (death benefits)

HB1530     (earnable comp.)

HB1576    (restore to service)

HB1646     (corrections)

HB1668     (Group II medical)

HB1681     (teachers)

HB1682     (smoothing)

  Other bills:

HB1275    (State employees)

HB1579        (electioneering)

House Finance LOB 210-211

HB1128

HB1274

HB1670

House Mun./County Gov LOB301

HB1142       (warrant art.)

Monday      January 25 , 2010

SB108 Committee -(spiking charge) 

SH103         9:00 am

House CJ&PS  LOB 204

HB1372       (wiretap comm.)

HB1533       (annulments)

Thursday    January 21, 2010

House CJ&PS  LOB 204

HB1131       (firefighter cert.)

HB1619     (law enforcement)

House ED&A   LOB 306

(retirement bills)

HB1646

HB1681

HB1682

House Labor   LOB 307

HB1168       (unemployment)

Wednesday January 20, 2010

House CJ&PS  LOB 204

HB1680     (law enforcement)

House ED&A   LOB 306

(retirement bills)

HB1277

HB1428

HB1530

HB1576

HB1668

House Labor   Rep's Hall

HB1645       ("right to work")

LOB 307

HB1368      (workers' comp.)

HB1614     (State employees)

Tuesday     January 19, 2010

House ED&A    LOB 306

HB1275    (State employees)

HB1579        (electioneering)

House Finance LOB 210-211

HB1128

HB1274

HB1664

HB1670

HB1672

Tuesday     January 12, 2010

House Judiciary  LOB 208

HB1284     (RTK - minutes)

HB1356   (RTK - nonprofits)

HB1362   (RTK Commission)

House ED&A    LOB 306

HB1579        (electioneering)

Thursday     January 7, 2010

House CJ&PS    LOB 204

HB1131       (firefighter cert.)

HB1135       (NH FST comm.)

HB1372       (wiretap comm.)

House Labor           LOB 307

HB1137   (wage withholding)

HB1368   (workers' comp.)

HB1403    (wrongful term.)

HB1614  (State employees)

Wednesday  January 6, 2010

House in Session

Wednesday    Dec. 16, 2009

SB108 Committee -(spiking charge)

Wednesday    Dec. 2, 2009

SB108 Committee -(spiking charge) 

 SH103         1:00 PM

Tuesday        Nov. 24, 2009

House  Labor     LOB 307

HB271       (workers' comp)

HB631       (bargaining)

HB662       (sick leave)

Thursday      Nov. 19, 2009

House ED&A    LOB 306

10 AM

HB268       (state workers)

HB401       (retirement)

HB617       (State health ins)

HB673        (retirement)

Tuesday        Nov. 17, 2009

House Judiciary  LOB 208

9:45  am   Right to Know

 HB53    ("public body")    

 HB135    (remedies)

 HB328    (study bill)

 HB379     (coll.barg.)

 HB425    (remedies)

Tuesday        Nov. 10, 2009

House  Labor     LOB 307

10 am

HB271       (workers' comp)

HB631       (bargaining)

HB662       (sick leave)

HB663       (flex time)

Boards Consolidation Committee   (HB2)

 LOB306       9 AM

Monday       Nov. 9, 2009

SB108 Committee -(spiking charge) 

 SH103         1:30PM

Wednesday  Oct. 28 2009

House Labor    LOB 306

HB631          (bargaining)

Thursday      Oct 22 2009

COLA Commission

 LOB 203      2PM

Tuesday       Oct. 20 2009

Senate ED&A     LOB 101

HB514       (retirement)

Thursday      Oct 15 2009

Retiree Health Commission

 LOB 307       1PM

Tuesday       Oct. 13 2009

House Labor      LOB 303

HB662       (sick leave)

Wednesday  Sept 30 2009

House ED &A     LOB 307

HB268       (state workers)

HB401       (retirement)

HB617       (State health ins)

HB673        (retirement)

Wednesday  Sept 23 2009

House ED &A    LOB 306

HB268       (state workers)

HB401       (retirement)

HB617       (State health ins)

HB673        (retirement)

Tuesday     Sept 22 2009

House Judiciary  LOB 208

10 am   Right to Know

 HB53    ("public body")

 HB135    (remedies)

 HB425    (remedies)

House  Labor     LOB 307

10 am

HB662       (sick leave)

HB663       (flex time)

Tuesday   Sept 15   2009

House Judiciary  LOB 208

11 am   Right to Know

 HB53    ("public body")    

 HB135    (remedies)

 HB328    (study bill)

 HB379     (coll.barg.)

 HB425    (remedies)

--------------------------

ARCHIVE 2009

Wednesday June 10 2009

Budget briefing - House Finance Committee  - Reps Hall 10 am

Tuesday   May 26 2009

Senate Finance (budget)

Tuesday   May 19  2009

HB312       (police/video)

HB335      (retirement)

Tuesday   May 5  2009

HB420        (retirement)

HB532        (retirement)

HB590       (retirement)

HB641       (retirement)

Tuesday   April 28 2009

HB349   (right to know)

Wednesday April 29 2009

SB132   (agency merger)

Thursday    April 30 2009

SB108    (retirement)

Monday   April 13 2009

Budget presentation to Senate --State House

Tuesday   April 14 2009

Senate/Budget

5-7pm, Laconia Middle School Cafeteria, 150 McGrath St.

Wednesday April 15 2009

Senate/Budget

5-7pm, Concord, Representatives Hall, State House

Thursday    April 16 2009

Senate/Budget

5-7pm, Manchester, City Hall.

-------------------

SB108            (retirement)

SB145            (retirement)

SB160            (retirement)

SB200            (retirement)

House floor action

Wednesday, April 8

HB1              (budget)

HB2          (trailer bill)HB420        (retirement)HB590        (retirement)HB632        (Group II)

Hearing Dates

Monday  Mar 23 2009

Retiree Heath Care

Wed.        Mar 18 2009

HB231       (bargaining)

HB420        (retirement)

HB500       (WMA repeal)

HB532       (retirement)

HB590        (retirement)

HB591       (retirement)

HB632        (Group II)

HB641        (retirement)

HB673       (retirement)

Tuesday  Mar 17 2009

HB53         (right to know)

SB108       (retirement)

SB126        (police/video)

SB200        (retirement)

HB135       (right to know)

HB266       (right to know)

HB328       (right to know)

HB379       (right to know)

Thursday  Mar 12 2009

HB2            (Claremont)

HB46         (bargaining)

HB289       (retirement)

HB305       (right to strike)

HB349        (leg. emails)

HB401       (retirement)

HB631       (bargaining)

Monday  Mar 9 2009

HB2           (budget/Salem)

HB223       (retirement)

HB532        (retirement)

HB591        (retirement)

HB673        (retirement)

Retiree Heath Care

Stimulus (ARRA) briefing

Thursday Mar 5 2009

HB53         (right to know)

HB135       (right to know)

HB163       (firemen's rule)

HB312       (police/video)

HB328       (right to know)

HB379       (right to know)

HB586       (police ALS)

HB645       (police/training)

Tuesday  Mar 3 2009

SB151       (quorum)

HB349       (leg. emails)

HB514       (retirement)

HB519       (state workers)

HB673       (retirement)

HB686       (HRC)

Thursday Feb 19 2009

HB231       (bargaining)

HB305       (right to strike)

HB312       (police/video)

HB500       (WMA repeal)

HB631       (bargaining)

HB645       (police/training)

Tuesday   Feb 17 2009

SB126       (police/video)

SB145       (retirement)

SB160       (retirement)

HB257       (town meeting)

HB268       (state workers)

HB335       (retirement)

HB425       (right to know)

HB519       (state workers)

HB617       (State health ins)

HB633       (retirement)

HB685       (retirement)

Thursday Feb 12 2009

exec sessions

HB223       (retirement)

HB420       (retirement)

HB590       (retirement)

HB632       (Group II)

Wed.         Feb 11 2009

HB30         (budget)

HB46         (bargaining)

HB223       (retirement)

HB268       (state workers)

HB289       (retirement)

HB305       (right to strike)

HB335       (retirement)

HB343       (wage/hour)

HB420       (retirement)

HB500       (WMA repeal)

HB590       (retirement)

HB591       (retirement)

HB632       (Group II)

HB633       (retirement)

HB641       (retirement)

HB661       (family leave)

HB662       (sick leave)

HB663       (flex time)

HB685       (retirement)

Tuesday   Feb 10 2009

HB268       (state workers)

HB608       (memorial)

HB617       (State health ins)

Thursday Feb 5  2009

HB223       (retirement)

HB268       (state workers)

HB514       (retirement)

HB532       (retirement)

HB586       (police ALS)

HB590       (retirement)

HB608       (memorial)

HB632       (Group II)

Wed         Feb 4 2009

HB92        (civ. rev. boards)

Tuesday  Feb 3  2009

HB257       (town meeting)

HB343       (wage/hour)

HB401       (retirement)

HB420       (retirement)

HB661       (family leave)

HB662       (sick leave)

HB663       (flex time)

Thursday Jan 29 2009

HB252       (rulemaking)

HB271       (w/comp)

HB379       (right to know)

Tuesday   Jan 27 2009

HB72         (town meeting)

HB114       (town meeting)

HB163       (firemen's rule)

HB225       (ff scholarship)

HB249       (medic protocols)

HB268       (SEA / transfers)

HB328       (right to know)

HB425       (right to know)

HB 30 Budget Reductions

Jan. 13, 2009

Jan. 14, 2009

Jan. 21, 2009 (work session)

Jan. 22, 2009 (exec session)

HB 1645 COLA Commission

Sept. 25, 2008  

October 2, 2008 

October 8, 2008

October 21, 2008

October 29, 2008

November 20, 2008 (ppd)

November 25, 2008

December 11, 2008

January 13, 2009

HB 1645 Health Commission

October 1, 2008

October 15, 2008

November 6, 2008

November 17, 2008

December 10, 2008

January 16, 2009

January 30, 2009

February 9, 2009

March 9, 2009

March 23, 2009

HB 249 (paramedics)

Jan. 21, 2009 (hearing)