HB1137, Relative to withholding of wages. Original bill modified purposes for withholding wages. The bill was amended to allow withholding of wages specifically for legal plans and identity theft plans with written authorization. ABC supported original bill and the amended bill.

HB1166, Relative to procurement procedures of the director of plant and property management for supplies, and relative to approval of design build projects over $500,000. Bill was requested by Department of Administrative Services to improve procurement and purchasing authority through the use of purchasing cards. The bill also included minor housekeeping changes to the Design Build approval process. ABC supported the bill.

HB1239, Relative to Department of Environmental Services field citations and cease and desist orders. Raises fines for fill and dredge permit violations and allows Department of Environmental Services to suspend review of applications until violation corrected. Requires the Department of Environmental services to approve, deny, schedule a public hearing or extend the time for rendering a decision on wetlands permit applications. ABC opposed the bill, concerned about additional permitting delays.

HB1271, Creates new task force on work and family. Task force to study social issues and impact on working families, employer policies and practices and any recommendations for legislation. ABC opposed this bill which is a continuation of a task force that has met, discussed, studied and has introduced legislation that has not made it out of committee. The task force seems to be focused on the passage of legislation establishing workplace practices, including flex time, sick days, extended FMLA and other issues.

HB1301, Relative to the regulation of fuel gas fitters. Makes changes to regulations, including reciprocity, regulation of trainees, reinstatement and other issues not addressed in the existing statute. ABC supported the bill.

HB1368, Relative to the definition of "employee" for workers' compensation purposes. Attempts to clarify documentation allowed to demonstrate employer/employee relationship and the penalty for misrepresenting the misclassification of an employee as an independent contractor. ABC understands the effort to clarify the intent of existing language in the statute that is unclear and creates an enforcement issue. However, ABC opposed the bill as written and did not support the amended bill as it passed. Concerned that the solution will create more problems than it is trying to solve by not defining misrepresentation.

HB1429, Establishing a committee to study the inclusion of universal design requirements in the state building code, specifically accessibility elements. ABC monitored this bill.

HB1462, Establishing a shore land advisory committee. Committee made up of five shorefront owners and several others from organizations and state agencies, including the Home builders and Remodelers Association and the Department of Environmental Services. The committee will meet at least 4 times a year and will suggest rule changes, statutory changes and be presented any rule or statutory change proposed by the commissioner of the Department of Environmental Services. ABC monitored this bill.

HB1486, Prohibiting the mandating of fire sprinkler systems in one or two family dwellings prior to July 1, 2011 (see HB1191). ABC monitored this bill.

HB1688, Relative to the regulation of the installation and operation of boiler and pressure vessels. Requires building code review board to adopt code requirements for biomass burning boilers. ABC monitored bill.

SENATE

SB390, Relative to health insurance premium only cafeteria plans. Permits employers with 2 or more employees and which do not offer employer sponsored health insurance to all employees to establish a health coverage only cafeteria plan. ABC monitored.

SB409, Requiring buildings or structures over 25,000 sq ft constructed or renovated using state funding to adhere to certain energy efficiency and building standards, determined by the Department of Environmental Services and the Dept of Administrative Services. Standards must show that the building can recoup the cost of implementing the requirements as measured by reduced energy cost over a 10 year period. Exempts renovations less than $1 million and the University System of NH. ABC opposed as originally written with no energy efficiency standard or measure but did not oppose the amended bill.

SB443, Relative to rulemaking authority of the electrician’s board. Requires rules to be adopted by an affirmation vote of at least 3 of 5 appointed board members. ABC monitored.

SB 480, Relative to appeals of decisions by the department of environmental services. Allows for involvement of Attorney Generals office in appeals process and clarification of various appeal procedures. Requested by Department of Environmental Services and AGs Office. ABC supported the bill.

SB 486, Relative to the school building aid program. Suspends any school building aid being approved from June 30, 2010 to June 30, 2011, except life safety issues. Put funding on hold while school funding formula study process determines a solution. Original bill called for a two year suspension. ABC opposed bill as a construction job killer and stressed the opportunity for school projects to get competitive pricing now. Bill was amended to a one year suspension.

SB 491, Relative to in-state preferences on state vendor contracts and criteria for debarment of vendors. Does not include DOT or public works projects. This bill was requested by Administrative Services. ABC monitored.

SB 495, Relative to study of state competitive bidding practices. Establishes a task force on state procurement policies and procedures and what factors in addition to bid price should be considered in purchasing decisions. Includes study of "best value" practices and the identification of and criteria for implementing "best value" pilot projects. ABC opposed the original bill and amended bill as passed. ABC will participate at all task force meetings.