THIS WEEK AT THE STATE HOUSE
The Senate will meet in session on Thursday, January 30 at 10 a.m.The House will meet in session on Thursday, February 6, at 10 a.m.
Outside of our priority bills listed below, we applaud and support the bills that our members are testifying on behalf of. It is this type of member engagement that strengthens the union’s political power and propels us forward. You can read more on that below.
You can find the complete House and Senate calendars below:
RETIREMENT
Hearing set for Tuesday on NHRS fees
During the 2019 SEA/SEIU Local 1984 Convention, members endorsed a number of resolutions to bring forward to the legislature. The resulting bills are now making their way through the legislative process, including HB 1326, which deals with transparency about fees the New Hampshire Retirement System pays. This bill is sponsored by two of our member representatives and, if adopted, it would require that NHRS include descriptions of investment fees in its quarterly report.
As the process unfolds, we will be asking members how they can support these efforts. The public hearing for this bill is on Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the House Executive Departments and Administration Committee, Legislative Office Building Room 306.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING FOR
Here are other bills we’re tracking this week
Hazardous duty pay: Senate Bill 639 would increase hazardous duty pay for certain employees of the state prison and NH Hospital from $25 to $100 monthly. The Senate Finance Committee will hold a public hearing Tuesday at 1 p.m. in State House Room 103.
Peer support program: Senate Bill 634 would establish a peer support program in the Department of Health and Human Services. The Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday at 9:40 a.m. in Room 101 of the Legislative Office Building.
MEMBERS IN ACTION
Chapter 17 Vice President Dan Brennan testified in support of House Bill 1494, which would provide a death benefit for public works heavy equipment operators. Citing dangerous on-the-job working conditions and the nature of 24-hour on-call work, he urged the lawmakers to expand the definition to cover state and municipal public works employees, who are considered emergency service personnel.
The House held hearings on several retirement bills last Wednesday, including HB 1235 to study the retirement system and HB 1205 relative to the reduction in the calculation of state retirement system annuities at age 65. We thank Retirement Committee Chair Melvin Friese and Committee Member Eric Ferren for taking the time to testify before the committee and share the importance of protecting NH’s retirement system and keeping our promise to public servants.