Senate Approves Landfill Site Evaluation Committee And Childcare Tax Credit

By PAULA TRACY, InDepth NH

CONCORD, NH — The Senate approved the creation of a site evaluation committee for landfills, a bill one teachers union calls "censorship in the classroom," and a day care tax credit for businesses, among others on Thursday.

Childcare Tax Credit

On its way to the governor's desk where it is expected to be signed into law is House Bill 1433. It passed the Senate on a bipartisan, voice vote.

Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte thanked Senators for supporting what she called "a commonsense solution to increase access to childcare and support business growth.

“I’m thrilled to see bipartisan legislation creating a tax credit for businesses that invest in childcare coming to my desk. I am grateful to members of the House and Senate from both parties who came together to get this done for Granite State families. Working with our business community, we will continue to expand access to affordable childcare.”

House Bill 1433 establishes the Child Day Care Creation tax credit, which can be applied to the Business Enterprise Tax and the Business Profits Tax.

To be eligible for the credit, a business must be a licensed program, expand or create seats that were not available prior to January 1, 2027, and successfully apply for and be approved for the credit by the Department of Revenue Administration.

Happy to see it pass also is the state's business community.

Mike Skelton, president of the New Hampshire’s Business and Industry Association, said by incentivizing more businesses to invest in childcare for their workforce, we’re ensuring New Hampshire remains the best place for businesses to grow and families to thrive.

No New Funding For Housing Champions

A Democratic effort to spend $2.5 million to again fund the Housing Champions program was brought to the Senate for consideration as an amendment to House Bill 1010, but failed on a vote of 8-15.

State Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka, D-Portsmouth, said there is practically no more money in the fund and this would replace what has been spent on leveraging funding for housing needs in the state.

Republicans said it is a not a timely financial request.

Sen. James Gray, R-Rochester, said the request did not go to the Finance Committee and there is no time left to do so now in this session.

Critical Race Theory Teaching Prohibition Approved

Passed on a voice vote with more Republican voices than Democrats was House Bill 1792 prohibiting the teaching of critical race theory which if signed would eliminate civil penalties that passed in 2021.

Sen. Daryl Abbas, R-Salem, said it addresses a court finding and fixes the law.

Sen. Debra Altschiller, D-Stratham, said the bill does nothing to progress things but is a "litigation lightning rod." She said transgender children are again the target as it relates to the school having to get parental permission to calling children by a different name, as is in the bill.

Sen. Sue Prentiss, D-Lebanon, said this is meddling in day to day business of the schools.

The bill prohibits educators from using a different name for a student from what is on their birth certificate without parental permission.

She said she worries what this would do to educators and does not show them respect.

Sen. Cindy Rosenwald, D-Nashua, asked Prentiss about the public hearing and it was extensive and mostly opposed she was told.

Sen. David Watters, D-Dover, noted the state has been sued on this subject and what was the chance that this would change course.

Altschiller said to expect more litigation and over $9 million has been lost in past litigation.

Sen. Tim Lang, R-Sanbornton, said if you believe that the state should not allow teaching that one's sex, race, disability or other protected class is inherently superior to anyone else's status, you would support this bill.

"None of those things should be taught to our children," he said.

Altschiller said divisive concepts have been rejected by the courts and that it was so unpopular it had to be jammed into a budget. Prentiss said the word "purposeful" in the bill is important and whether she, as a teacher, could be sanctioned in some way was problematic.

By the language in the bill there is nothing to say that someone is inherently inferior, Watters said.

Educators said this is a classroom censorship bill which would make changes to the existing “banned concepts” law that is under appeal in federal court. This comes after a lower court already deemed it unconstitutional.

HB 1792 goes back to the House next for a vote to concur, non-concur, or request a Committee of Conference.

Megan Tuttle, president of NEA-New Hampshire, issued a statement after the vote.

“It is incredibly disappointing that some lawmakers continue to push for classroom censorship under the guise of reform. HB 1792 is not only dangerously vague and unworkable; it is a direct threat to students, educators, and the integrity of public education.

This bill does not clarify or remedy the vague and confusing language in New Hampshire’s so-called “banned concepts” law, which has already been ruled unconstitutional. Instead, it doubles down on the same flawed approach, creating a chilling effect that will silence educators, suppress honest dialogue, and undermine the development of critical thinking skills students need to succeed.

"Granite Staters have made their priorities clear: nearly 90 percent of students attend public schools, and communities overwhelmingly trust their local educators. But this bill represents another baseless attack on those educators—professionals who are dedicated to providing students with a complete, accurate, and robust education.

"Lawmakers should be standing with educators and families—not targeting them. It’s time to stop these divisive and unfounded efforts and reaffirm our trust in educators and parents, not politicians, to ensure the best outcomes for students.”

Solid Waste Site Eval Committee Approved

The Senate almost unanimously passed an amended HB 707-FM to create a new committee that those who crafted it say delivers a public benefit and considerations not currently in the regulatory framework.

Sen. Howard Pearl, R-Loudon, said the bill creates a committee to consider new solid waste sites and creates an opportunity for local voices at the same time as industry input.

He said it elevates the concept of public health in consideration of such siting and it clarifies credentials of members to that end. Pearl said in the case of post-certificate issuance, the Department of Environmental Services must still enforce violations.

It acknowledges the difference between new and expanded facilities.

Watters said he appreciated all the hard work Pearl put into it.

On the subject of local control, he asked if there is anything in the amendment that overrides existing contracts. Pearl said no, and that there would be no pre-determined outcome.

Sen. David Rochefort, R-Littleton, said a lot of work has been done over seven years on landfills and was pleased that it puts forth a comprehensive plan to go forward and site these things. Many in his district are particularly concerned about this subject.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte weighed in on the topic and released the following statement:

“I’m proud to see the Senate advance legislation that gives local communities a say in the site evaluation process for landfills. I’ve said from day one that we would not let beautiful areas of our state become a dumping ground for out-of-state trash, and I thank the advocates from the North Country and across our state who worked together to get this done. New Hampshire’s natural beauty is central to who we are, and I will always fight to protect what makes our state unique.”

North Country activist Adam Finkel of Dalton, who called it "the new and improved HB 707" said “this bill is an important initial step towards bringing NH solid waste policy and science into the late 20th Century, and more in line with the rest of the world."

"At last, the Senate, House, Governor, and DES have agreed with the experts that it makes no sense to risk destroying a pristine 'greenfield' with a landfill when we have existing landfills that can safely expand, and closed ones that can be remediated and safely re-opened."

Creating a broad-based Solid Waste Evaluation Committee is absolutely needed, he said, because DES has failed.

Free, Reduced Lunch Expanded

HB 1574 would allow it to be extended to children who are up to age 22. It passed the Senate unanimously.

Also...

Included in a list of more than a dozen bills was SB 592-FN which would allows the Winnipesaukee River Basin program to transfer to local control.

This article first appeared on InDepthNH.org and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.