Capitol Insight: Weekly Legislative Update 1/31/25
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tate House observers saw another action-packed week. Members spent as much time as possible hearing legislation to keep the trains rolling on time. The Senate held their first session day on Thursday while the House used that time on committee work.
Another (Potential) Round of Tax Cuts
New Hampshire Republicans have prioritized business tax reductions since their overriding of then Governor Maggie Hassan’s budget veto in 2015. Since then, members of the GOP have adopted legislation that repeatedly triggered reductions in the Business Enterprise Tax (BET) and Business Profits Tax (BPT). This year, the House Deputy Majority Leader is back with another attempt to reduce the BET, without a clear picture of whether the legislation will have the support to make it across the finish line. Governor Kelly Ayotte has expressed skepticism that the state could afford such a decrease with already lower than anticipated revenues. While some members of the House Ways and Means Committee expressed concerns about the bill during this week’s public hearing, there was no testimony in opposition. The Legislature will face a tough challenge in offsetting the costs of another tax decrease; however, it wouldn’t be the first time that consideration had to be made.
Options for End of Life Care
For the second year in a row, physician assisted suicide is back for consideration by the House Judiciary Committee. An issue that always generates large crowds and passionate debate, the public hearing was moved to Representatives’ Hall rather than the traditional committee room in the Legislative Office Building. Similar legislation passed the House of Representatives by three votes in 2024, only to be sent to a polite death in the Senate. Advocates for the bill testified that terminally ill individuals who often endure such unbearable suffering should be granted the right to end their lives on their own terms. The Catholic Diocese of Manchester, the New Hampshire Coalition of Suicide Prevention, New Hampshire Right to Life and other religious and healthcare organizations opposed the bill. They argued that the proposal created a slippery slope that could harm vulnerable populations, lacks adequate safeguards and threatens the fundamental value of human life. Advocates hope for more success this year, but as lawmakers consider the legislation, they will not only need to weigh its moral and ethical implications but also its potential impact on society as well.
Guess Who’s Back?
The Senate met in session this week to vote on their first bills of the year. The calendar was short but not without contentious debate, particularly on Judiciary Committee matters. Republicans held true to their top priorities by passing a ban on sanctuary cities and invalidating out-of-state driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants. Another bill establishing a mandatory minimum sentence for those convicted of manufacturing or selling fentanyl resulting in a person’s death was also hotly contested. There is no question that every lawmaker would like to end the opioid epidemic once and for all, but there ultimately continues to be disagreement on how to get it done. The legislation was overwhelmingly adopted by the body but will have a tougher time in the House, where members have other ideas related to criminal justice reform.
Week Ahead
The Senate holds 61 public hearings next week on a wide variety of issues ranging from parental rights to alteration of terrain permits. House committees will continue with their hearings as well and hold their first Session of the year on Thursday. The House Finance and Ways and Means Committees will finish up agency presentations ahead of the Governor’s budget address, scheduled for February 13th.
About Rath, Young and Pignatelli
Capitol Insight is produced with the support of the Chamber’s government relations consultant: Rath, Young and Pignatelli (RYP). RYP merges traditional legal practice areas with legislative and public policy expertise. They have earned a reputation for achieving client success through skillful and creative advocacy in private party negotiations, before courts, regulatory agencies, and legislatures.
Their professionals are leaders in key sectors of the economy where business and government intersect including business and finance, energy, tax, health care, environmental, and insurance.
About The Greater Manchester Chamber
Incorporated in 1911, the Greater Manchester Chamber (GMC) is the largest business organization in New Hampshire, focusing its efforts primarily on Manchester and the surrounding communities of Auburn, Bedford, Candia, Derry, Goffstown, Hooksett, Litchfield, Londonderry, and Merrimack. It is the Chamber’s mission to be the voice of business, shaping economic success to enhance the quality of life in Greater Manchester. For more information visit www.manchester-chamber.org.
