Governor Chris Sununu Statement on SB 437, SB 541, SB 564, HB 1102, HB 317, HB 1550, HB 1415, HB 2018

Press Release

Today, Governor Chris Sununu issued the following statements after the House and Senate passed several important items of his legislative agenda:

SB437: relative to the robotics education development program.

"Expanding access to robotics programs for students has been a significant focus of my administration. This legislation allows for additional state aid for these programs to more schools in the event that funding is available. The effort that we have made to make robotics programs available in our schools this term has been unprecedented and this legislation keeps the door open to do even more."

SB541: relative to the presumption under workers' compensation requiring the reimbursement of costs associated with firefighters who have cancer.

"New Hampshire is deeply appreciative of our state's firefighters who put their safety at risk and are often exposed to chemicals and substances that increase their risk of cancer in order to keep their neighbors and our communities safe. SB 541 has been an important priority for my administration, and we must provide these courageous Granite Staters and their families the protections they need and the peace of mind they deserve. I'm proud to have had the opportunity to work with our state's firefighters to move this critical legislation forward, and I look forward to signing it into law."

SB564: relative to a business tax exemption and a workforce development program for regenerative manufacturing businesses.

"New Hampshire has signaled to the rest of the country that we are at the forefront of innovative, life-saving technological developments. We have a long history of making smart long-term investments in New Hampshire. We are poised to become the global hub of regenerative medicine, continuing our long history on the forefront of science and technology. I look forward to signing this bill into law."

HB1102: enabling the department of health and human services to contract with certain certified physicians and authorizing the department of corrections to establish additional expenditure class lines with fiscal committee and governor and council approval.

"This bill provides New Hampshire with much needed subject matter expert input into review, evaluating and reporting of medication assisted treatment services (MAT), a treatment that is followed by thousands of residents facing substance use disorder. I commend the House and Senate for passing this important tool in combating the opioid crisis, and will sign it once it crosses my desk."

HB317: relative to changes in the system benefits charge.

"New Hampshire's energy customers pay some of the highest electricity rates in the United States. This bill will ensure that any proposed increase in the System Benefits Charge will be subject to legislative approval and is in the best interest of the people and businesses of New Hampshire."

HB1550: requiring electric bills to include the cost of compliance with renewable energy standards.

"New Hampshire's ratepayers are entitled to understand the factors driving some of the highest electric rates in the nation. HB 1550 will empower consumers to educate themselves on the costs and benefits of New Hampshire's energy policies, and I applaud the House for passing this bill today -- a win for the ratepayers."

HB1415: making an appropriation to the public school infrastructure fund to improve security in public schools.

"If we cannot put our children on the school bus and know they are safe, nothing else matters. This year for the first time in history, we dedicated state funds to help secure our schools by providing nearly $20 million in funding direct to local communities. This legislation will enable us to do even more by funding an additional $10 million in school safety projects that are critical investments in making our schools and children safe."

HB2018: relative to the state 10-year transportation improvement program and establishing a committee to study the removal of the Merrimack tolls.

"The 10-Year Highway bill passed today -- built upon the plan I proposed in January -- is good news for New Hampshire's taxpayers, and addresses our infrastructure needs. It rightly focuses on preservation, maintenance, and safety of existing pavement and bridge infrastructure throughout the State, while living within our means and not increasing tolls on motorists."

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