SB 241-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
03/16/2023 0850s
03/30/2023 1148s
2023 SESSION
23-1029
07/04
SENATE BILL 241-FN
AN ACT relative to graduated public assistance programs.
SPONSORS: Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Rep. Moffett, Merr. 4
COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill directs the department of health and human services, the housing finance authority, New Hampshire employment security, and the department of energy to study the creation, funding, and implementation of graduated public assistance programs to complement existing programs within the state. The bill appropriates funds to the department of health and human services for the purpose of studying mitigation of the cliff effect in administration public assistance programs.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/16/2023 0850s
03/30/2023 1148s 23-1029
07/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three
AN ACT relative to graduated public assistance programs.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Findings. The general court finds that:
I. Public assistance programs are binary systems that harm the New Hampshire workforce;
II. Establishing graduated systems for existing public assistance programs to titrate assistance for workers across the poverty spectrum creates a more comprehensive support for the citizens of New Hampshire; and
III. Such a system that will assist workers, their families, and the economy overall.
2 Department of Health and Human Services; Study on Graduated Public Assistance Mandated.
I. The department of health and human services shall seek a continuation of the 2021 economic analysis regarding mitigation of the benefits cliff effect for the possible creation, funding, and implementation of graduated, proportional public assistance programs for individuals who do not qualify for existing assistance within the state.
II. The department shall submit a report on its findings, including the performance of existing pilot programs related to the benefit cliff, and any proposed legislation to the applicable committees of the general court on or before July 1, 2024.
III. In its review, the department shall take consideration of qualifying and disqualifying conditions, such as income levels and hours worked per week. The department shall review the following programs:
(a) The supplemental nutrition assistance program, established under RSA 161:2, XIII, XIII-a, and XIII-b;
(b) The special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children, established under RSA 132:12-a; and
(c) The financial assistance for needy families program, established under RSA 167.
IV. The sum of $200,000 is hereby appropriated to the department for the purpose of conducting a continued review and economic analysis of the cliff effect as set forth in this section. The funds shall be nonlapsing until June 30, 2025. The department may accept and expend matching federal funds without prior approval of the fiscal committee. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
3 Housing Finance Authority; Study on Graduated Public Assistance Mandated.
I. The housing finance authority shall study the creation, funding, and implementation of a graduated, proportional rental assistance housing choice voucher program for individuals who do not qualify for existing assistance within the state.
II. The housing finance authority shall submit a report on its findings and any proposed legislation to the applicable committees of the general court on or before November 1, 2023.
III. In its review, the housing finance authority shall take consideration of qualifying and disqualifying conditions such as income levels and hours worked per week.
4 New Hampshire Employment Security; Study on Graduated Public Assistance Mandated.
I. New Hampshire employment security shall study the creation, funding, and implementation of a graduated, proportional unemployment compensation program, based upon the program established in RSA 282-A, for individuals who do not qualify for existing assistance within the state.
II. New Hampshire employment security shall submit a report on its findings and any proposed legislation to the applicable committees of the general court on or before November 1, 2023.
III. In its review, New Hampshire employment security shall take consideration of qualifying and disqualifying conditions such as income levels and hours worked per week.
5 Department of Energy; Study on Graduated Public Assistance Mandated.
I. The department of energy shall study the creation, funding, and implementation of a graduated, proportional low income home energy assistance program for individuals who do not qualify for existing assistance within the state.
II. The department shall submit a report on its findings and any proposed legislation to the applicable committees of the general court on or before November 1, 2023.
III. In its review, the department shall take consideration of qualifying and disqualifying conditions such as income levels.
6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
23-1029
Revised 2/15/23
SB 241-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to graduated public assistance programs.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None
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| Estimated Increase / (Decrease) | |||
STATE: | FY 2023 | FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 |
Appropriation | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | $0 | $200,000+ | $0 | $0 |
Funding Source: | [ X ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ ] Other | |||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill requires multiple state departments and entities to study the creation, funding, and implementation of graduated public assistance programs.
The Department of Energy and the Housing Finance Authority state that their studies can be conducted with existing resources.
The Department of Health and Human Services states that its studies - which are to encompass the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), special nutrition for woman, infants, and children (WIC), and Financial Assistance for Needy Families (FANF) - will cost an estimated $200,000.
NH Employment Security states that it is unclear whether there would be a fiscal impact for its required study, but notes that the existing unemployment compensation program is governed by federal standards established in the Social Security Act, Federal Unemployment Tax Act, and Wagner Peyser Act. Accordingly, limitations exist on the extent to which the program could be changed.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority, NH Employment Security, and Departments of Energy and Health and Human Services
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| March 8, 2023 | 2023-0850s |
| March 21, 2023 | 2023-1148s |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 16, 2023 | Senate | Hearing |
| March 16, 2023 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| March 30, 2023 | Senate | Floor Vote |
Dec. 20, 2023: Inexpedient to Legislate, Senate Rule 3-23, Adjournment 10/26/2023; SJ 21
March 30, 2023: Pending Motion OT3rdg; 03/30/2023; SJ 12
March 30, 2023: Sen. Gray Moved Laid on Table, MA, VV; 03/30/2023; SJ 12
March 30, 2023: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2023-1148s, MA, VV; 03/30/2023; SJ 12
March 30, 2023: Committee Amendment # 2023-1148s, AA, VV; 03/30/2023; SJ 12
March 22, 2023: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2023-1148s, 03/30/2023; SC 15
March 16, 2023: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2023-0850s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 03/16/2023; SJ 10
March 16, 2023: Committee Amendment # 2023-0850s, AA, VV; 03/16/2023; SJ 10
March 8, 2023: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2023-0850s, 03/16/2023; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 13
Feb. 8, 2023: Hearing: 02/16/2023, Room 101, LOB, 09:00 am; SC 10
Jan. 24, 2023: Introduced 01/19/2023 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 5