Revision: May 10, 2018, 9:42 a.m.
HB 1817-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
8Feb2018... 0345h
21Mar2018... 1067h
05/03/2018 1842s
05/03/2018 1905s
05/03/2018 1931s
05/03/2018 1900s
05/03/2018 1873s
05/03/2018 1897s
2018 SESSION
18-2958
05/04
HOUSE BILL 1817-FN
AN ACT establishing the position of state demographer and a commission on demographic trends; requiring state agencies to prepare 10-year current services cost projections; relative to the inclusion of a demographic analysis as part of the legislative fiscal note process; relative to salary increases for state employees and making appropriations therefor; making an appropriation for red list bridge projects; making an appropriation to the revenue stabilization account; relative to disproportionate share hospital payments and making an appropriation therefor, and relative to the uncompensated care and Medicaid fund.
SPONSORS: Rep. Hennessey, Graf. 1; Rep. Kurk, Hills. 2; Rep. F. McCarthy, Carr. 2; Rep. Walz, Merr. 23; Sen. Woodburn, Dist 1; Sen. Feltes, Dist 15; Sen. Innis, Dist 24
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill:
I. Establishes the position of state demographer in the office of strategic initiatives and establishes a commission on demographic trends.
II. Requires certain state agencies to prepare 10-year current services cost projections for identified programs.
III. Requires the legislative budget assistant to include a demographic analysis as part of the fiscal note for certain legislation.
IV. Provides salary increases for state employees and makes appropriations therefor.
V. Makes an appropriation to the department of transportation for red list bridge projects.
VI. Makes an appropriation to the revenue stabilization account.
VII. Makes an appropriation for the purpose of funding disproportionate share hospital payments if there is a shortfall.
VIII. Revises the formula for reimbursing hospitals for uncompensated care costs.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
8Feb2018... 0345h
21Mar2018... 1067h
05/03/2018 1842s
05/03/2018 1905s
05/03/2018 1931s
05/03/2018 1900s
05/03/2018 1873s
05/03/2018 1897s
18-2958
05/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eighteen
AN ACT establishing the position of state demographer and a commission on demographic trends; requiring state agencies to prepare 10-year current services cost projections; relative to the inclusion of a demographic analysis as part of the legislative fiscal note process; relative to salary increases for state employees and making appropriations therefor; making an appropriation for red list bridge projects; making an appropriation to the revenue stabilization account; relative to disproportionate share hospital payments and making an appropriation therefor, and relative to the uncompensated care and Medicaid fund.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Subdivision; Office of Strategic Initiatives; State Demographer; Commission on Demographic Trends. Amend RSA 4-C by inserting after section 35 the following new subdivision:
State Demography
4-C:36 State Demographer; Position Established.
I. There is established within the office of strategic initiatives, the position of state demographer.
II. The state demographer shall be professionally competent in demography and possess demonstrated ability based on past performance. An appropriately qualified economist may hold the position.
III. The responsibilities of the demographer shall include, but not be limited to, developing demographic projections and working with the United States Census Bureau.
IV. The state demographer shall provide assistance and data to the legislative budget assistant in the preparation of demographic analyses requested pursuant to RSA 14:46, VII.
4-C:37 Commission on Demographic Trends.
I. There is established a commission on demographic trends. The commission shall work with the state demographer to develop long-term net migration goals, review and recommend programs and legislation designed to meet the net migration goals, and monitor the success of any such programs.
II. The members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Six New Hampshire citizens who have expertise to support the mission of the commission, appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the governor.
(b) Four members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(c) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(d) The state demographer or designee of the director of the office of strategic initiatives.
III. The commission shall elect a chairperson from its membership, and any other officers it deems necessary. The terms of the elected members of the commission shall be coterminous with their terms in office; the terms of all other appointed members shall be 3 years. In the event of a vacancy, a new member shall be appointed for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Seven members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
IV. The commission shall report at least annually to the governor, speaker of the house of representatives, president of the senate, clerk of the house of representatives, clerk of the senate, and the state library. The annual report shall be posted on the general court website.
V. The commission shall create a biennial scorecard on New Hampshire’s demographic condition and trends, which shall be distributed to the governor, speaker of the house of representatives, president of the senate, clerk of the house of representatives, clerk of the senate, county commissioners, and the state library. The scorecard also shall be posted on the general court website.
2 New Sections; Budget and Appropriations; Ten-Year Current Services Cost Projections; Legislative Reporting Requirement. Amend RSA 9 by inserting after section 9:9-c the following new sections:
9:9-d Ten-Year Current Services Cost Projections.
I. Each of the following state agencies shall provide 10-year cost projections for the identified service or program:
(a) The department of administrative services: state retiree health insurance, and in conjunction with the department of revenue administration, state revenues.
(b) The state treasurer: debt service.
(c) The department of education: adequate education grants.
(d) The New Hampshire retirement system: state employer retirement contributions.
II. The cost projections shall be based on current policy, programs, and tax rates, and shall be adjusted only for demographically-induced changes in demand for public services and projected effects on state government revenues and expenditures.
9:9-e Department of Health and Human Services; Ten-Year Current Services Cost
Projections.
I. The department of health and human services shall provide 10-year cost projections for the identified service or program:
(a) Uncompensated care.
(b) Medicaid care management.
(c) Medicaid-funded home and community based waiver services: Choices for Independence, Developmental Services, Acquired Brain Disorder, and Children's In Home Services.
(d) Nursing home services.
II. The cost projections required in paragraph I for years one through 5 shall be based on the best available data and information available to the department to ensure accurate and reliable information is provided to the public and the general court.
III. The cost projections required in paragraph I for years 6 through 10 shall be based on current policy, programs, and federal and state law, and shall assume economic and other external factors remain static.
IV. The department shall issue the cost projections by September 30, 2019 and shall issue new projections every 2 years thereafter, or upon notice to the department by the state demographer of demographically-induced changes in demand for public services and projected effects on state government revenues.
9:9-f Legislative Report of 10-Year Current Services Cost Projections. On or before February 1 of each budget year, prior to the transmission of the budget to the legislature under RSA 9:2, the legislative budget assistant, in consultation with the state demographer, shall provide to the house and senate finance committees, a report with the 10-year current services cost projections described in RSA 9:9-d and RSA 9:9-e and any other relevant factors identified by the legislative budget assistant or state demographer. The report also shall be posted on the general court website.
3 New Paragraph; Preparation of Fiscal Notes; Demographic Analysis. Amend RSA 14:46 by inserting after paragraph VI the following new paragraph:
VII.(a) The speaker of the house of representatives, the minority leader of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, or the minority leader of the senate may request the legislative budget assistant to prepare and include in the fiscal note a demographic analysis on bills and resolutions having an effect on the demographics of the state. Each requestor shall be entitled to no more than 5 such requests during each annual legislative session.
(b) When possible, the demographic analysis contained in a fiscal note pursuant to subparagraph (a) shall be prepared and incorporated prior to the introduction of the bill or resolution. The demographic analysis shall accompany the bill throughout its course of passage through the general court and to the governor for action and shall be amended as necessary to correct errors or to agree with substantive amendments to the bill.
(c) In preparation of demographic analyses required pursuant to subparagraph (a), the legislative budget assistant shall seek the assistance and data from the state demographer or may request assistance from any other source of data which is deemed reliable, including but not limited to private individuals, research and educational organizations, corporations, and associations located within or outside the state.
4 Phase-in, Funding for Position of State Demographer. The position of state demographer shall be a part-time contract position in fiscal year 2019 and a full-time position beginning in fiscal year 2020. For fiscal year 2019, appropriations to the office of strategic initiatives in 2017, 155 shall be used to fund the part-time position.
5 Classified Salaries; June 8, 2018. RSA 99:1-a is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
99:1-a Salaries Established. The salary ranges for all unrepresented classified employees and all classified employees represented by an employee organization having an agreement with the state for the biennium ending June 30, 2019 shall be established as follows commencing June 8, 2018.
GRADE STEP 01 STEP 02 STEP 03 STEP 04 STEP 05 STEP 06 STEP 07 STEP 08
01 20,923.50 21,489.00 22,054.50 22,717.50 23,361.00 24,063.00 24,706.50 25,369.50
02 21,489.00 22,054.50 22,717.50 23,361.00 24,063.00 24,706.50 25,369.50 26,071.50
03 22,054.50 22,717.50 23,361.00 24,063.00 24,706.50 25,369.50 26,071.50 26,890.50
04 22,717.50 23,361.00 24,063.00 24,706.50 25,369.50 26,071.50 26,890.50 28,704.00
05 23,361.00 24,063.00 24,706.50 25,369.50 26,071.50 26,890.50 28,704.00 29,776.50
06 24,063.00 24,706.50 25,369.50 26,071.50 26,890.50 28,704.00 29,776.50 30,868.50
07 24,706.50 25,584.00 26,617.50 27,631.50 28,704.00 29,776.50 30,868.50 32,136.00
08 25,584.00 26,617.50 27,631.50 28,704.00 29,776.50 30,868.50 32,136.00 33,364.50
09 26,617.50 27,631.50 28,704.00 29,776.50 30,868.50 32,136.00 33,364.50 34,651.50
10 27,631.50 28,704.00 29,776.50 30,868.50 32,136.00 33,364.50 34,651.50 35,997.00
11 28,704.00 29,776.50 30,868.50 32,136.00 33,364.50 34,651.50 35,997.00 37,459.50
12 29,776.50 30,868.50 32,136.00 33,364.50 34,651.50 35,997.00 37,459.50 39,097.50
13 30,868.50 32,136.00 33,364.50 34,651.50 35,997.00 37,459.50 39,097.50 40,696.50
14 32,136.00 33,364.50 34,651.50 35,997.00 37,459.50 39,097.50 40,696.50 42,471.00
15 33,364.50 34,768.50 36,172.50 37,635.00 39,097.50 40,696.50 42,471.00 44,167.50
16 34,768.50 36,172.50 37,635.00 39,097.50 40,696.50 42,471.00 44,167.50 46,059.00
17 36,172.50 37,635.00 39,097.50 40,696.50 42,471.00 44,167.50 46,059.00 47,950.50
18 37,635.00 39,097.50 40,696.50 42,471.00 44,167.50 46,059.00 47,950.50 49,939.50
19 39,097.50 40,696.50 42,471.00 44,167.50 46,059.00 47,950.50 49,939.50 52,045.50
20 40,696.50 42,471.00 44,167.50 46,059.00 47,950.50 49,939.50 52,045.50 54,717.00
21 42,471.00 44,167.50 46,059.00 47,950.50 49,939.50 52,045.50 54,717.00 57,096.00
22 44,167.50 46,059.00 47,950.50 49,939.50 52,045.50 54,717.00 57,096.00 59,572.50
23 46,059.00 48,048.00 50,193.00 52,377.00 54,717.00 57,096.00 59,572.50 62,244.00
24 48,048.00 50,193.00 52,377.00 54,717.00 57,096.00 59,572.50 62,244.00 64,974.00
25 50,193.00 52,377.00 54,717.00 57,096.00 59,572.50 62,244.00 64,974.00 67,918.50
26 52,377.00 54,717.00 57,096.00 59,572.50 62,244.00 64,974.00 67,918.50 70,843.50
27 54,717.00 57,096.00 59,572.50 62,244.00 64,974.00 67,918.50 70,843.50 74,022.00
28 57,096.00 59,572.50 62,244.00 64,974.00 67,918.50 70,843.50 74,022.00 78,000.00
29 59,572.50 62,244.00 64,974.00 67,918.50 70,843.50 74,022.00 78,000.00 81,666.00
30 62,244.00 64,974.00 67,918.50 70,843.50 74,022.00 78,000.00 81,666.00 85,410.00
31 64,974.00 68,055.00 71,233.50 74,470.50 78,000.00 81,666.00 85,410.00 89,427.00
32 68,055.00 71,233.50 74,470.50 78,000.00 81,666.00 85,410.00 89,427.00 93,463.50
33 71,233.50 74,470.50 78,000.00 81,666.00 85,410.00 89,427.00 93,463.50 97,500.00
34 74,470.50 78,000.00 81,666.00 85,410.00 89,427.00 93,463.50 97,500.00 101,517.00
35 78,000.00 81,666.00 85,410.00 89,427.00 93,463.50 97,500.00 101,517.00 105,553.50
The salary ranges provided herein for academic positions shall apply to those state employees in academic positions who work for an academic year which does not exceed 180 working days. Those academic employees working more than an academic year shall receive a pro rata increase in their salary based upon the number of additional working days per year. The intent of this section is to adjust the salaries of employees in academic positions. It is not intended to cause changes in academic work schedules.
6 Classified Salaries; January 4, 2019. RSA 99:1-a is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
99:1-a Salaries Established. The salary ranges for all unrepresented classified employees and all classified employees represented by an employee organization having an agreement with the state for the biennium ending June 30, 2019 shall be established as follows commencing January 4, 2019:
GRADE STEP 01 STEP 02 STEP 03 STEP 04 STEP 05 STEP 06 STEP 07 STEP 08 STEP 09
01 21,255.00 21,820.50 22,386.00 23,068.50 23,712.00 24,433.50 25,096.50 25,759.50 26,481.00
02 21,820.50 22,386.00 23,068.50 23,712.00 24,433.50 25,096.50 25,759.50 26,481.00 27,300.00
03 22,386.00 23,068.50 23,712.00 24,433.50 25,096.50 25,759.50 26,481.00 27,300.00 29,152.50
04 23,068.50 23,712.00 24,433.50 25,096.50 25,759.50 26,481.00 27,300.00 29,152.50 30,225.00
05 23,712.00 24,433.50 25,096.50 25,759.50 26,481.00 27,300.00 29,152.50 30,225.00 31,336.50
06 24,433.50 25,096.50 25,759.50 26,481.00 27,300.00 29,152.50 30,225.00 31,336.50 32,623.50
07 25,096.50 25,974.00 27,027.00 28,060.50 29,152.50 30,225.00 31,336.50 32,623.50 33,871.50
08 25,974.00 27,027.00 28,060.50 29,152.50 30,225.00 31,336.50 32,623.50 33,871.50 35,178.00
09 27,027.00 28,060.50 29,152.50 30,225.00 31,336.50 32,623.50 33,871.50 35,178.00 36,543.00
10 28,060.50 29,152.50 30,225.00 31,336.50 32,623.50 33,871.50 35,178.00 36,543.00 38,025.00
11 29,152.50 30,225.00 31,336.50 32,623.50 33,871.50 35,178.00 36,543.00 38,025.00 39,702.00
12 30,225.00 31,336.50 32,623.50 33,871.50 35,178.00 36,543.00 38,025.00 39,702.00 41,320.50
13 31,336.50 32,623.50 33,871.50 35,178.00 36,543.00 38,025.00 39,702.00 41,320.50 43,114.50
14 32,623.50 33,871.50 35,178.00 36,543.00 38,025.00 39,702.00 41,320.50 43,114.50 44,830.50
15 33,871.50 35,295.00 36,718.50 38,200.50 39,702.00 41,320.50 43,114.50 44,830.50 46,761.00
16 35,295.00 36,718.50 38,200.50 39,702.00 41,320.50 43,114.50 44,830.50 46,761.00 48,672.00
17 36,718.50 38,200.50 39,702.00 41,320.50 43,114.50 44,830.50 46,761.00 48,672.00 50,700.00
18 38,200.50 39,702.00 41,320.50 43,114.50 44,830.50 46,761.00 48,672.00 50,700.00 52,845.00
19 39,702.00 41,320.50 43,114.50 44,830.50 46,761.00 48,672.00 50,700.00 52,845.00 55,555.50
20 41,320.50 43,114.50 44,830.50 46,761.00 48,672.00 50,700.00 52,845.00 55,555.50 57,954.00
21 43,114.50 44,830.50 46,761.00 48,672.00 50,700.00 52,845.00 55,555.50 57,954.00 60,469.50
22 44,830.50 46,761.00 48,672.00 50,700.00 52,845.00 55,555.50 57,954.00 60,469.50 63,180.00
23 46,761.00 48,769.50 50,953.50 53,176.50 55,555.50 57,954.00 60,469.50 63,180.00 65,949.00
24 48,769.50 50,953.50 53,176.50 55,555.50 57,954.00 60,469.50 63,180.00 65,949.00 68,952.00
25 50,953.50 53,176.50 55,555.50 57,954.00 60,469.50 63,180.00 65,949.00 68,952.00 71,916.00
26 53,176.50 55,555.50 57,954.00 60,469.50 63,180.00 65,949.00 68,952.00 71,916.00 75,133.50
27 55,555.50 57,954.00 60,469.50 63,180.00 65,949.00 68,952.00 71,916.00 75,133.50 79,170.00
28 57,954.00 60,469.50 63,180.00 65,949.00 68,952.00 71,916.00 75,133.50 79,170.00 82,894.50
29 60,469.50 63,180.00 65,949.00 68,952.00 71,916.00 75,133.50 79,170.00 82,894.50 86,697.00
30 63,180.00 65,949.00 68,952.00 71,916.00 75,133.50 79,170.00 82,894.50 86,697.00 90,772.50
31 65,949.00 69,088.50 72,306.00 75,601.50 79,170.00 82,894.50 86,697.00 90,772.50 94,867.50
32 69,088.50 72,306.00 75,601.50 79,170.00 82,894.50 86,697.00 90,772.50 94,867.50 98,962.50
33 72,306.00 75,601.50 79,170.00 82,894.50 86,697.00 90,772.50 94,867.50 98,962.50 103,057.50
34 75,601.50 79,170.00 82,894.50 86,697.00 90,772.50 94,867.50 98,962.50 103,057.50 107,152.50
35 79,170.00 82,894.50 86,697.00 90,772.50 94,867.50 98,962.50 103,057.50 107,152.50 111,247.50
The salary ranges provided herein for academic positions shall apply to those state employees in academic positions who work for an academic year which does not exceed 180 working days. Those academic employees working more than an academic year shall receive a pro rata increase in their salary based upon the number of additional working days per year. The intent of this section is to adjust the salaries of employees in academic positions. It is not intended to cause changes in academic work schedules.
7 Classified Increases; June 8, 2018. RSA 99:3 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
99:3 Increase in Salary. Notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 273-A or any other provision of law to the contrary, classified employees of the state as of June 8, 2018, shall be placed in the corresponding steps in the new salary ranges as their length of service justifies and their salaries shall be in accordance with the salary scales set forth in RSA 99:1-a. The provisions hereof shall not be construed as affecting so-called longevity payments which shall be in addition to the regular salary scale.
8 Classified Increases; January 4, 2019. RSA 99:3 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
99:3 Increase in Salary. Notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 273-A or any other provision of law to the contrary, classified employees of the state as of January 4, 2019, shall be placed in the corresponding steps in the new salary ranges as their length of service justifies and their salaries shall be in accordance with the salary scales set forth in RSA 99:1-a. The provisions hereof shall not be construed as affecting so-called longevity payments which shall be in addition to the regular salary scale.
9 Compensation for Certain State Officers; Unclassified State Employees; June 8, 2018. RSA 94:1-a, I(a) is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
I.(a) The following salary ranges shall apply to the following grades:
GRADE STEP 01 STEP 02 STEP 03 STEP 04 STEP 05 STEP 06
AA 54,607.28 58,168.76 61,729.72 65,289.12 68,849.04 72,410.00
BB 56,781.40 60,483.28 64,187.76 67,891.72 71,594.64 75,297.56
CC 59,415.72 63,297.00 67,177.76 71,058.52 74,938.76 78,820.56
DD 62,555.48 66,642.68 70,731.44 74,819.68 78,906.88 82,993.56
EE 66,251.12 70,587.92 74,923.16 79,258.92 83,594.68 87,932.52
FF 70,833.36 75,473.84 80,115.88 84,757.40 89,399.96 94,039.40
GG 76,462.36 81,476.72 86,492.12 91,505.96 96,521.36 101,536.24
HH 83,258.76 88,726.04 94,193.32 99,661.12 105,128.40 110,596.20
II 88,026.64 93,811.64 99,597.68 105,382.68 111,168.20 116,953.20
JJ 92,794.00 98,896.20 104,999.96 111,102.68 117,205.40 123,310.20
KK 95,165.72 101,427.56 107,689.40 113,951.24 120,213.08 126,475.44
LL 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 130,183.56
MM 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 134,581.72
NN 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 139,747.40
OO 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 145,786.68
PP 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 153,006.36
QQ 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 161,694.00
10 Compensation for Certain State Officers; Unclassified State Employees; January 4, 2019. RSA 94:1-a, I(a) is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
I.(a) The following salary ranges shall apply to the following grades:
GRADE STEP 01 STEP 02 STEP 03 STEP 04 STEP 05 STEP 06 STEP 07
AA 55,426.80 59,041.32 62,655.84 66,268.80 69,882.28 73,496.28 77,110.28
BB 57,633.16 61,390.68 65,150.80 68,910.40 72,668.96 76,427.52 80,186.08
CC 60,307.00 64,246.52 68,185.52 72,124.52 76,063.00 80,003.04 83,943.08
DD 63,494.08 67,642.64 71,792.76 75,942.36 80,090.92 84,238.96 88,387.00
EE 67,245.36 71,647.16 76,047.40 80,448.16 84,848.92 89,251.76 93,654.60
FF 71,896.24 76,606.40 81,318.12 86,028.80 90,741.04 95,450.16 100,159.28
GG 77,609.48 82,699.24 87,789.52 92,878.76 97,969.56 103,059.32 108,149.08
HH 84,507.80 90,057.24 95,606.68 101,156.12 106,705.56 112,255.52 117,805.48
II 89,347.44 95,219.28 101,092.16 106,963.48 112,835.84 118,707.68 124,579.52
JJ 94,186.04 100,379.76 106,575.04 112,769.28 118,963.52 125,160.36 131,357.20
KK 96,593.64 102,949.08 109,305.04 115,661.00 122,016.44 128,372.92 134,729.40
LL 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 139,007.96
MM 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 143,704.34
NN 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 149,219.98
OO 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 155,668.50
PP 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 163,377.50
QQ 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 172,654.04
11 Salary Wages for Councilors and Commissioners; June 8, 2018. RSA 94:1-a, II is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
II. The salary wages for the positions set forth below shall be as follows commencing June 8, 2018:
Maximum
Governor's councilors $16,999.84
Racing and charitable gaming commissioners $13,185.12
Sweepstakes commission, chairman $19.176.56
Sweepstakes commission, members $10,794.68
12 Salary Wages for Councilors and Commissioners; January 4, 2019. RSA 94:1-a, II is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
II. The salary wages for the positions set forth below shall be as follows commencing January 4, 2019:
Maximum
Governor's councilors $17,514.12
Racing and charitable gaming commissioners $13,584.22
Sweepstakes commission, chairman $19,756.62
Sweepstakes commission, members $11,121.50
13 Department of Justice; Attorney Salaries; June 8, 2018. RSA 94:1-a, I(c) is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
I.(c) For attorney positions in the department of justice, except for the attorney general and
deputy attorney general, the following shall apply commencing on June 8, 2018:
Minimum Market anchor Maximum
$50,562 $120,681
Attorney $60,950
Assistant attorney general $83,024
Senior assistant attorney general $102,502
Associate attorney general $112,891
14 Department of Justice; Attorney Salaries; January 4, 2019. RSA 94:1-a, I(c) is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
I.(c) For attorney positions in the department of justice, except for the attorney general and deputy attorney general, the following shall apply commencing on January 4, 2019:
Minimum Market anchor Maximum
$53,990 $125,080
Attorney $65,082
Assistant attorney general $88,653
Senior assistant attorney general $109,451
Associate attorney general $120,544
15 Legislative Employees; June 8, 2018. Legislative employees shall receive 1.5 percent salary increases effective June 8, 2018, if such increases are approved by the appointing authority.
16 Legislative Employees; January 4, 2019. Legislative employees shall receive 1.5 percent salary increases effective January 4, 2019, if such increases are approved by the appointing authority.
17 Increases in Salary; Other Non-Classified or Unclassified Employees, Unrepresented New Hampshire State Troopers. All other non-classified or unclassified employees or unrepresented New Hampshire state troopers not covered by the provisions for salary increases in this act shall be granted a salary increase of 1.5 percent effective June 8, 2018, and an additional salary increase of 1.5 percent effective January 4, 2019.
18 Judicial Salaries; June 8, 2018. RSA 491-A:1 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
491-A:1 Salaries Established. The salaries for the positions set forth below shall be as follows:
Chief justice, supreme court $169,781
Associate justices, supreme court $164,674
Chief justice, superior court and administrative
judges appointed pursuant to supreme
court rule 54 $164,674
Associate justices, superior court $154,442
District court justices prohibited
from practice pursuant to
RSA 502-A:21-a $154,442
Probate judges prohibited from
practice pursuant to RSA 547:2-a $154,442
19 Judicial Salaries; January 4, 2019. RSA 491-A:1 is repealed and reenacted to read as
follows:
491-A:1 Salaries Established. The salaries for the positions set forth below shall be as follows:
Chief justice, supreme court $181,290
Associate justices, supreme court $175,837
Chief justice, superior court and administrative
judges appointed pursuant to supreme
court rule 54 $175,837
Associate justices, superior court $164,911
District court justices prohibited
from practice pursuant to
RSA 502-A:21-a $164,911
Probate judges prohibited from
practice pursuant to RSA 547:2-a $164,911
20 Judges; State Employee Health Plan; Application. The cost sharing and plan design for judges who participate in the health plans offered by the state shall be the same as those for individuals covered by the collective bargaining agreement between the state of New Hampshire and the State Employees’ Association of New Hampshire, Inc.
21 Judicial Employees; June 8, 2018. All unrepresented judicial employees shall receive 1.5 percent salary increases on June 8, 2018.
22 Judicial Employees; January 4, 2019. All unrepresented judicial employees shall receive 1.5 percent salary increases on January 4, 2019.
23 Appropriation. The following sums are appropriated from the following sources for the purposes of sections 5-22 of this act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019:
FY 2019
All Liquor General Federal Highway Turnpike Fish & Game Other
$27,023,000 $943,000 $12,743,000 $4,546,000 $2,719,000 $469,000 $236,000 $5,367,000
The department of administrative services is authorized to make rounding adjustments of up to +$.01 per hour as needed to properly process the employee’s payroll within the currently designed human resources/payroll system (NH FIRST).
24 Floating Holidays and Bonus Days.
I. Floating holidays: Unrepresented classified employees shall be authorized 3 floating holidays. Employees shall accrue one day on July 1, one day on October 1, and one day on January 1 of each fiscal year.
II. Bonus days: Bonus days shall sunset for all unrepresented classified employees after the fiscal year 2018 accrual. Any bonus time previously accrued shall remain to the employees’ credit not to exceed 64 hours.
25 Appropriation; Department of Transportation; Red List Bridge Projects. The sum of $20,000,000 is hereby appropriated to the department of transportation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, for the purposes of funding state red list bridge projects. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
26 Appropriation; Revenue Stabilization Account. The sum of $10,000,000 is hereby appropriated to the revenue stabilization account established pursuant to RSA 9:13-e, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, for the purposes of said fund. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
27 New Paragraph; Community Development Finance Authority; Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiatives Tax Credit. Amend RSA 162-L:4 by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph:
I-a. The authority shall dedicate the contributions received pursuant to RSA 162-L:10, I-a exclusively to investing or lending to nonprofit organizations that deliver recovery friendly workplace programs. Such contributions shall not exceed $1,000,000 in any state fiscal year. In this section, "recovery friendly workplace programs" means programs that educate employers in evidence-based practices that reduce substance misuse in the workplace and create work environments that are conducive to enabling persons in addiction and mental health recovery to sustain and re-enter the workforce as productive members of society. Such programs shall include the training of all employees, including specialized training for human resources personnel, and shall be consistent with Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) standards. The term "recovery friendly workplace programs" also includes the propagation of public awareness and information that supports health and safety for employees, while promoting active community engagement that will assist in reducing the negative impact of unaddressed substance misuse and untreated mental health. On or by September 30, 2020, the authority shall make public on its website and provide a report to the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives concerning the effectiveness of the recovery friendly workplace initiatives tax credit, including, but not limited to, how many workers in recovery were attracted to and retained in the workforce.
28 New Paragraph: Community Development Finance Authority; Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiatives Tax Credit. Amend RSA 162-L:10 by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph:
I-a. A recovery friendly workplace initiatives tax credit equal to up to 75 percent of the contribution made during the period of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2020 may be carried forward for no more than 5 succeeding tax years and shall be allowed against any of the following individually or in combination:
(a) Taxes imposed by RSA 77-A.
(b) Taxes imposed by RSA 400-A.
(c) Taxes imposed by RSA 77-E.
29 Community Development Finance Authority; New Investment Tax Credit; Annual Limit. Amend RSA 162-L:10, IV(b) to read as follows:
(b) Contributions received by the authority for which credit is to be taken shall not exceed [$5,000,000] $6,000,000 in any state fiscal year. Contributions received by the authority in excess of [$5,000,000] $6,000,000 in any state fiscal year shall not be eligible for credit in such fiscal year but may be carried forward to the next succeeding fiscal year or years and shall be given priority in determining the total contributions eligible for credit in such fiscal year.
30 New Paragraph; Business Profits Tax; Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiatives Tax Credit. Amend RSA 77-A:5 by inserting after paragraph XV the following new paragraph:
XVI. The recovery friendly workplace initiatives tax credit as computed in RSA 162-L:10, I-a.
31 New Section; Business Enterprise Tax; Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiatives Tax Credit. Amend RSA 77-E by inserting after section 3-d the following new section:
77-E:3-e Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiatives Tax Credit. The recovery friendly workplace initiatives tax credit, as computed in RSA 162-L:10, I-a, shall be allowed against the tax due under this chapter.
32 Applicability. The tax credits authorized in sections 27-31 of this act shall apply to tax years beginning on and after January 1, 2019.
33 Definitions; Average Daily Membership in Attendance. Amend RSA 198:38, I(a) to read as follows:
I.(a) "Average daily membership in attendance" or "ADMA" means the average daily membership in attendance, as defined in RSA 189:1-d, III, of pupils in kindergarten through grade 12, in the determination year, provided that no kindergarten pupil shall count as more than 1/2 day attendance per school year except in school districts where the kindergarten pupil is attending a full-day school district operated kindergarten program. ADMA shall only include pupils who are legal residents of New Hampshire pursuant to RSA 193:12 and educated at school district expense which may include public academies or out-of-district placements, or in the case of kindergarten programs only during fiscal year 2019 a combination of school district expense and private payments. For the purpose of calculating funding for municipalities, the ADMA shall not include pupils attending chartered public schools, but shall include pupils attending a charter conversion school approved by the school district in which the pupil resides.
34 Tax on Transfer of Real Property; Rate; Exception Added. Amend RSA 78-B:1, I(b) to read as follows:
(b) Except as provided in RSA 78-B:1-b, the rate of the tax is $.75 per $100, or fractional part thereof, of the price or consideration for such sale, grant, or transfer; except that where the price or consideration is $4,000 or less there shall be a minimum tax of $20. The tax imposed shall be computed to the nearest whole dollar.
35 New Section; Rate of Transfer Tax for First-time Home Buyers. Amend RSA 78-B by inserting after section 1-a the following new section:
78-B:1-b Rate of Transfer Tax for First Time Home Buyers. Notwithstanding RSA 78-B:1, I(b), beginning January 1, 2018 the rate of the tax is $.50 per $100, or fractional part thereof, of the price or consideration for such sale, grant, or transfer applicable to the buyer for the purchase of a qualifying first home, as follows:
I. The rate of tax provided for in this section shall be applied to the amount of tax owed by and actually paid by the buyer pursuant to RSA 78-B:1 and shall not apply to any amounts paid by the buyer on behalf of the seller.
II. For purposes of this section, the term:
(a) "Qualifying first home" shall mean:
(1) The purchase of residential real estate, the price of which does not exceed $300,000;
(2) That will be utilized as the buyer's principal residence as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 121 and related Treasury Regulations; and
(3) That is the buyer's first purchase of residential real estate.
(b) "Buyer'' shall mean the purchaser, grantee, assignee, or transferee of any real estate or any interest in real estate.
36 Applicability Date. RSA 78-B:1-b, as inserted by section 2 of this act, shall apply to transfers occurring on and after January 1, 2018.
37 Payment of Tax; Exception Added. Amend RSA 78-B:4, III to read as follows:
III. Except as provided in RSA 78-B:1-b, the rate of tax established in RSA 78-B:1 shall apply to both the purchaser, grantee, assignee or transferee and the seller, grantor, assignor or transferor.
38 Prospective Repeal. RSA 78-B:1-b, relative to a transfer tax rate for first-time home buyers, is repealed.
39 Exception Deleted. Amend RSA 78-B:1, I(b) to read as follows:
(b) [Except as provided in RSA 78-B:1-b,] The rate of the tax is $.75 per $100, or fractional part thereof, of the price or consideration for such sale, grant, or transfer; except that where the price or consideration is $4,000 or less there shall be a minimum tax of $20. The tax imposed shall be computed to the nearest whole dollar.
40 Exception Deleted. Amend RSA 78-B:4, III to read as follows:
III. [Except as provided in RSA 78-B:1-b,] The rate of tax established in RSA 78-B:1 shall apply to both the purchaser, grantee, assignee or transferee and the seller, grantor, assignor or transferor.
41 Report Required; Department of Revenue Administration. On or before January 1, 2019 and on or before January 1, 2020, the commissioner of revenue administration shall report to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, and the governor on the number of first-time home buyers using the lower transfer tax rate provided in RSA 78-B:1-b and the department's assessment of whether the number of first-time home buyers increased or decreased as a result of the reduced tax rate.
42 Appropriation; Housing Finance Authority; Affordable Housing Fund.
I. The sum of $5,000,000 is hereby appropriated to the housing finance authority for the biennium ending June 30, 2019, for deposit in the affordable housing fund established in RSA 204-C:57. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
II. The purpose of the appropriation made in this section shall be to provide safe, affordable, and stable transitional housing opportunities to those leaving mental health and substance use disorder treatment facilities. Locations of the housing opportunities shall be determined using data, recognizing that many of the needs are in rural areas of New Hampshire. Within 30 days of the effective date of this section, the housing finance authority shall form a working group of subject matter experts with knowledge and experience in addressing substance use disorder treatment and mental health needs as they relate to and impact transitional housing. The working group shall develop a data-driven process to award the funds, guidelines for accountability, and metrics for demonstrating results that maintain employability and sustained treatment effects as priorities.
III. Beginning on January 1, 2019, and each January 1 thereafter, the housing finance authority shall submit a report to the governor, the senate president, and the speaker of the house of representatives regarding the findings and recommendations of the working group and disbursement of the funds appropriated in this section for transitional housing.
43 Supplemental Appropriation; State Loan Repayment Program. In addition to any other sums appropriated to the department of health and human services in 2017, 155, accounting unit 05-95-90-901010-7965, line 073, grants-non-federal, there is hereby appropriated the sum of $1,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, for the state loan repayment program. The department may exceed this amount if new federal funds become available to the program. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
44 Appropriation; Department of Business and Economic Affairs. The sum of $100,000 for the biennium ending June 30 2019 is hereby appropriated to the department of business and economic affairs for the purpose of supporting the education and acceleration programs within New Hampshire's non-profit business technology incubators. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
45 Department of Health and Human Services; Bureau of Adult and Elderly Services; Congregate Housing Services. Amend 2017, 156:78 to read as follows:
156:78 Department of Health and Human Services; Bureau of Adult and Elderly Services; Congregate Housing and Services. Congregate housing provided for under the Medicaid waiver pursuant to RSA 151-E and congregate services provided for in RSA 161-F:37 are suspended for the [biennium] fiscal year ending June 30, [2019] 2018.
46 Appropriation; Department of Health and Human Services; Congregate Housing and Services. There is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services the sum of $750,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, which shall be for the purpose of providing congregate housing and services. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
47 Department of Health and Human Services; Foster Grandparent Program. Amend 2017, 156:235 to read as follows:
156:235 Department of Health and Human Services; Foster Grandparent Program. The reimbursements to the foster grandparent program through the senior volunteer grant program, established in RSA 161-F:40, are hereby suspended for the [biennium] fiscal year ending June 30, [2019] 2018.
48 Appropriation; Department of Health and Human Services; Foster Grandparent Program. There is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services the sum of $100,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, which shall be for the purposes of the foster grandparent program. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
49 Appropriation; Department of Health and Human Services.
I. Notwithstanding RSA 167:64, the commissioner of the department of health and human services shall make disproportionate share hospital payments in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018 in an amount equal to 92.2 percent of the total Medicaid enhancement tax collected for that fiscal year, and in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 an amount equal to 90.2 percent of the total Medicaid enhancement tax collected for that fiscal year. Such payments shall be a charge against amounts budgeted under account 05-95-47-470010-7943 pursuant to 2017, 144:1 and the uncompensated care and Medicaid fund established pursuant to RSA 167:64. The commissioner is authorized to accept and expend any matching federal funds without further approval from the fiscal committee of the general court.
II. For the biennium ending June 30, 2019, in the event estimated Medicaid enhancement tax revenue under account 05-95-47-470010-7948 is less than budgeted as a result of payments authorized in paragraph I, the amount necessary to address the shortfall is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for such sum of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
50 Uncompensated Care and Medicaid Fund. Amend RSA 167:64, I(a) to read as follows:
(a)(1) The commissioner shall provide reimbursement for uncompensated care costs [in accordance with the approved schedule of payments] from the uncompensated care and Medicaid fund through either Medicaid rate adjustments or disproportionate share hospital payment adjustments, or a combination thereof, provided however that no hospital shall receive any such reimbursement for uncompensated care costs unless it is a qualified hospital as defined in subparagraph (b)(1). Funds available under this section shall also be used to make provider payments and to support Medicaid services and programs administered by the department in amounts directed by the budget in each year of the biennium.
[(2) Expenditure of revenues deposited to the uncompensated care and Medicaid fund shall be made for the following purposes in the following order of priority in fiscal year 2015:
(A) To support medical provider payments as budgeted in each year of the biennium;
(B) To make disproportionate share hospital payments to support up to 75 percent of the uncompensated care costs of New Hampshire's hospitals with critical access designation consistent with the requirements of 42 U.S.C. section 1396r-4(g) and any relevant federal regulations promulgated thereunder as budgeted in each year of the biennium based on available funding, to be shared among such hospitals in proportion to the amount of uncompensated care provided;
(C) To make disproportionate share hospital payments to support the uncompensated care costs of New Hampshire's general hospitals without critical access designation shared among such hospitals consistent with the requirements of 42 U.S.C. section 1396r-4(g) and any relevant federal regulations promulgated thereunder in proportion to the amount of uncompensated care provided with funds available from net Medicaid enhancement tax revenue received by the state in fiscal year 2015 in excess of $190,300,000; and
(D) To make a disproportionate share hospital payment to each hospital that meets the criteria set forth for "deemed disproportionate share hospitals" as that term is defined under 42 U.S.C. section 1396r-4 up to an amount as budgeted in each year of the biennium based on available funding. ]
[(3) Subject to subparagraph (a)(3)(D),]
(2) Expenditure of revenues deposited to the uncompensated care and Medicaid fund shall be made for the following purposes in the following order of priority in fiscal years [2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, and in addition in fiscal years 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, if New Hampshire hospitals' total aggregate uncompensated care costs as reported to the department in any such fiscal year is less than $350,000,000, the state shall pay New Hampshire's hospitals not less than $175,000,000 in disproportionate share hospital payments, shared among such hospitals in proportion to the amount of uncompensated care provided; provided that New Hampshire hospitals with a critical access hospital designation shall continue to receive reimbursements of no less than 75 percent of each hospital's uncompensated care costs and no hospital shall be paid disproportionate share hospital payments of more than 100 percent of uncompensated care costs] 2018 through 2024. However, no hospital shall be paid disproportionate share hospital payments of more than 100 percent of the governing hospital-specific limit on disproportional share hospital payments under Title XIX of the Social Security Act and the provisions of all federal regulations promulgated thereunder:
(A) To make disproportionate share hospital payments to New Hampshire hospitals with and without critical access designation in the following order of priority, [, provided that, in fiscal years 2016 and 2017, the New Hampshire hospitals shall not be paid more than a cap of $224,000,000 in disproportionate share hospital payments and in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 the New Hampshire hospitals shall not be paid more than a cap of $241,900,000 in disproportionate share hospital payments] and in the following amounts: fiscal year 2018 – 92.2 percent of money collected pursuant to RSA 84-A for the fiscal year; fiscal year 2019 – 90.2 percent of money collected pursuant to RSA 84-A for the fiscal year; fiscal years 2020 through 2024 - 86 percent of money collected pursuant to RSA 84-A for the fiscal year:
(i) To support 75 percent of the uncompensated care costs of New Hampshire's hospitals with critical access designation consistent with the requirements of 42 U.S.C. section 1396r-4(g) and any relevant federal regulations promulgated thereunder to be shared among such hospitals in proportion to the amount of uncompensated care provided;
(ii) To make disproportionate share hospital payments to [support 50 percent of the uncompensated care costs of] New Hampshire's hospitals without critical access hospital designation in fiscal year 2016 and 2017 and 55 percent of uncompensated care costs of New Hampshire's hospitals without critical access hospital designation [in fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2019 and in fiscal years thereafter consistent with the requirements of 42 U.S.C. section 1396r-4(g) and any relevant federal regulations promulgated thereunder in proportion to the amount of uncompensated care provided and up to the remaining amount of the applicable cap set forth in subparagraph (a)(3)(A), but not less than the amount guaranteed in disproportionate share hospital payments as set forth in subparagraph (a)(3); and] in proportion to the amount of uncompensated care provided by each hospital from the remainder of the percentage of money collected pursuant to RSA 84-A for the fiscal year specified in subparagraph (a)(2)(A).
(B) To make a disproportionate share hospital payment to each hospital that meets the criteria set forth for "deemed disproportionate share hospitals" as that term is defined under 42 U.S.C. section 1396r-4 up to an amount as budgeted in each year of the biennium as set forth in subparagraph (b)(1).
(C) To increase hospital service provider rates each year, beginning in fiscal year 2020 through fiscal year 2024, by an amount equal to 5 percent of the revenue collected pursuant to RSA 84-A for the fiscal year.
(D) Any remaining funds produced from the Medicaid enhancement tax shall be used to support provider payments and to support Medicaid services and programs administered by the department.
[(D) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, in each of fiscal years 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, the amount of uncompensated care reimbursed to non-critical access hospitals shall be reduced in both state contribution and federal match by any shortfall in net Medicaid enhancement tax revenues received below the following thresholds: fiscal year 2016-$220.5 million; fiscal year 2017-$228.1 million; fiscal year 2018-$235.9 million; and fiscal year 2019-$243.4 million. However, to the extent the aggregate uncompensated care for all hospitals falls below $375 million and the Medicaid enhancement tax rate is further reduced as set forth in RSA 84-A:2, V, then the threshold for fiscal year 2018 shall be $229.4 million and for fiscal year 2019 shall be $235.7 million. Further, the caps in subparagraph (a)(3)(A) and the reimbursements and caps in subparagraph (a)(3)(A)(ii) shall be reduced by 85 percent of the difference between total Medicaid enhancement tax revenue calculated at 5.5 percent of net patient services revenue and Medicaid enhancement tax revenue at the current tax rate for the applicable fiscal year.]
51 Medicaid Enhancement Tax. Amend RSA 84-A:2, V to read as follows:
V. For the taxable period ending June 30, 2018, and for every taxable period thereafter, a tax is imposed at a rate of 5.4 percent upon the net patient services revenue of every hospital for the hospital's fiscal year ending during the calendar year in which the taxable period begins [unless the total aggregate uncompensated care for hospitals with both a critical and a noncritical access hospital designation falls below $375 million, at which point the tax rate shall be 5.25 percent].
I. Section 3 of this act shall take effect July 1, 2019.
II. Sections 1, 2, and 4 of this act shall take effect July 1, 2018.
III. Sections 38-40 of this act shall take effect January 1, 2020.
IV. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
18-2958
Amended 4/9/18
HB 1817-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2018-1067h)
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None
|
| |||
| Estimated Increase / (Decrease) | |||
STATE: | FY 2019 | FY 2020 | FY 2021 | FY 2022 |
Appropriation | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable |
Funding Source: | [ X ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ ] Other | |||
|
|
|
|
|
METHODOLOGY:
The Office of Strategic Initiatives makes the following assumptions concerning the fiscal impact of this bill:
Based on these assumptions, the Office provides the following cost estimates:
| FY 2019 | FY 2020 | FY 2021 | FY 2022 |
Salary | $0 | $72,911 | $72,911 | $72,911 |
Benefits | $0 | $33,906 | $35,231 | $36,573 |
Current Expense | $0 | $300 | $300 | $300 |
Office Space | $0 | $2,500 | $2,600 | $2,700 |
Equipment | $0 | $5,000 | $500 | $500 |
Travel | $0 | $500 | $500 | $500 |
Specialized Software | $0 | $6,000 | $0 | $0 |
Consultant | Indeterminable | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Total: | $0 | $121,117 | $112,042 | $113,484 |
The Department of Administrative Services determined this bill would have an indeterminable impact on State expenditures. The bill would require four state agencies to prepare 10-year current services cost projections for certain programs adjusted only for demographically-induced changes in demand for public services and projected effects on state government revenues. In addition, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide cost projections for certain programs based on the best available data for years one through five; and provide cost projections for years six through ten based on current policy assuming economic and other external factors are static. The Department assumes this requirement would be a component of, or a supplement to, the current requirements contained in RSA 9:4 for agencies to submit biennial budget requests. The Department is unable to determine the fiscal impact without additional information on the expected format of the requests, the assumptions to be made, or the required changes and costs to update the State's budget system.
The Department of Health and Human Services states the required cost projections for years one through five will be based on the best available data and the projections for years six through ten would be based on current policies, programs, and law assuming economic and other external factors remain static. The Department would be required to issue the first projections by September 30, 2019 and every two years thereafter, or upon notice of changes by the state demographer. The Department assumes the requirements of this bill will be completed using existing resources.
The Treasury Department indicates, starting with the FY 2020-2021 biennial budget, the Treasury would be required to project the cost of debt services for ten years based on current policy, programs and tax rates and adjusted for demographically-induced changes in the demand for state services and the projected effect on state revenues. The Department does not anticipate this bill will have a fiscal impact on its operations. The Department currently prepares debt service projections for seven years as part of the annual Debt Affordability Study.
The Department of Education states the bill would require a 10-year budget projection for the cost of an adequate education. The Department states it could provide the required 10-year projection with no additional resources.
The Office of Legislative Budget Assistant indicates the bill would require up to 20 fiscal notes to include demographic analysis. In addition, the legislative budget assistant would be required to prepare a biennial report, in consultation with the state demographer, including the 10-year current services cost projections and any other relevant information identified by the legislative budget assistant or the state demographer. To the extent possible, the additional duties will be handled with existing resources.
The New Hampshire Retirement System (NHRS) indicates employer contribution rates are actuarially determined and certified 9 to 10 months in advance of each two-year state budget cycle and may increase or decrease over time based on actuarial experience, legislative changes to plan provisions, and revisions to actuarial assumptions. It is not possible to estimate employer contributions beyond the current two-year rate period with any degree of accuracy given the number of unknown inputs that could drastically change the result. NHRS states it would be contrary to the state constitution and the fiduciary duty of the Board of Trustees to expend trust fund assets for actuarial analysis not directly related to NHRS operations (RSA 100-A:15 and Article 36-a of the NH Constitution). Therefore, NHRS would provide the 10-year required projections based on current state employer contribution rates and covered payroll data extrapolated forward using current actuarial assumptions. Any projections provided on this basis will be accompanied by appropriate disclaimers noting the qualifiers outlined above and that actual rates can only be determined for a fixed period based upon an actuarial valuation in accordance with RSA 100-A. The NHRS assumes these cost projections would be prepared using existing resources.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Office of Strategic Initiatives, Office of Legislative Budget Assistant, Departments of Administrative Services, Treasury, Education, and Health and Human Services, and New Hampshire Retirement System