The House, Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Rep. Kermit Williams (D - Hills 4)Thank you, Mister Speaker. Colleagues, like many of you, I have barely been out of my house for six months and I've learned that Zoom is a television show with many characters and not much plot. As we are together for what is likely the final time as this legislature, we are not in the comfortable confines of the state house, but spread out in this arena like the world's largest folding chair drill team. This pandemic has changed all of our lives. Even if you don't think it is real and you think you don't need to wear a mask, it affects you too because the coronavirus doesn't care what you think. More than anything we take up today HB 1166 addresses the pandemic head on because even though I can hide in my house, not everyone in New Hampshire can. Thank goodness they don't. Medical workers, grocery store workers, delivery drivers and many more essential workers are out there every day working to help all of us. Most work because they need to make a living. They can't afford to stay home and avoid the coronavirus. That is why this bill is so important. First it provides unemployment support if someone has to quarantine because they have been exposed to the virus. You don't want someone to have to work in spite of their exposure or sickness because they can't afford to stay home, subjecting their customers or coworkers to the virus. It also allows workers to take unpaid leave to care for a family member who contracts the virus. One of the things the coronavirus has exposed is the woeful condition of our unemployment software system. I have talked to many constituents who are desperate because they have not been able to collect, not because they are not eligible, but because the system is screwed up. I hope I have helped them. I certainly tried, but the best way to help them is to pass this bill because it allocates funds to fix that software. Employers will be required to provide basic sanitation and personal protective equipment for their employees under this bill. This is essential to assure that those essential workers don't go home with the virus. Finally, HB 1166 waives cost sharing in health insurance for most COVID related services. I know we all want to believe that a vaccine is just around the corner, that we can all get a shot or two and suddenly life will be just like it used to be. Personally, I am not that na�ve. Much uncertainty lies ahead. The virus may mutate and beat the vaccine like its cousin the flu. The vaccine may only be partially effective. Some people won't take the vaccine. It's very likely this pandemic lasts longer than we want to think. Some of the things may be partially covered by other actions, but emergency orders can only last so long. If the unthinkable happens and the pandemic goes on, we should have these protections in place. This bill is not a giveaway. It's essential protection, financial and sanitary, so those essential workers can keep working and when they cannot, get a little bit of financial protection. Without protections such as these, some people's lives will go from a pandemic to an apocalypse. Please vote to overturn the veto on 1166 and protect those who work for all of us. Thank you.

Speaker ShurtleffWill the member yield to a question? Rep. Flanagan, you may inquire.

Rep. Jack Flanagan (R - Hills 26)Thank you, Mister Speaker. I'd like to thank the Representative from Wilton for taking my question. Did you know that the Department of Unemployment Security told the authors of this bill that if this bill passed, we would have lost the extra amount, the $600, and potentially lose federal funding if this bill passed?

Rep. Kermit Williams (D - Hills 4)Well, that may or may not be true, but considering that all of that federal money is now gone, including the extra $300 that we were getting for a little while, it really doesn't make any difference in the case of this bill. If this bill passes, it will definitely benefit those who are on unemployment.

Speaker ShurtleffWill the member yield to a follow up question?

Rep. Jack Flanagan (R - Hills 26)That's what I thought the answer would be, Mister Speaker. Thank you.

Speaker ShurtleffWell, you were right. The question before the House is notwithstanding the Governor's veto, shall HB 1166 become law? This will be a roll call vote. Members will kindly take their seats. While people are coming in, after this there will be a message from the clerk and then we are going to break for lunch. The question before the House is notwithstanding the Governor's veto, shall HB 1166 become law? The Chair recognizes Rep. Jason Osborne for a parliamentary inquiry.

Rep. Jason Osborne (R - Rock 4)Thank you, Mister Speaker. If I know that HB 1166 has numerous problems which have been brought to our attention by the Department of Employment Security and the Department of Labor and Insurance, contains numerous violations of federal law which will bring us out of compliance, we would be the only state ineligible for the pandemic unemployment assistance, puts us at greater risk of fraud and abuse, would deprive us of $30 million of federal funding and would end up costing New Hampshire businesses $200 million a year, businesses that are struggling to survive from the ongoing crisis, would I now press the red button?

Speaker ShurtleffThe question before the House is notwithstanding the Governor's veto, shall HB 1166 become Law? The Chair recognizes Rep. Porter for a parliamentary inquiry.

Rep. Marjorie Porter (D - Hills 30)Thank you, Mister Speaker. If I know that HB 1166 as amended puts into New Hampshire law the federal COVID-19 eligibility protections for unemployment compensation and unpaid family and medical leave coverage continuing the support for those who cannot work because they need to care for others or to protect themselves from exposure. And, if I know it contains stronger worker safety provisions for those who do return to work to help prevent the spikes in cases seen in other states. And, if I know that HB 1166 contains a severability clause for any section which might possibly affect federal funding coming into the state, then would I vote yes to override this veto, pass this bill and get New Hampshire safely back to work?

Speaker ShurtleffThe question before the House is notwithstanding the Governor's veto, shall HB 1166 become law? The state constitution requires a roll call vote. A 2/3 vote is required to override a veto. If you are in favor of having the bill become law, you will press the green button. If you are opposed and wish to sustain the Governor's veto, you will press the red button. Voting stations will now be open for 30 seconds. Have all members present had an opportunity to vote? The House will be attentive to the state of the vote. With 193 members voting Yea and 145 voting Nay, the motion to override fails and the Governor's veto is sustained. GOVERNOR'S VETO MESSAGE ON HB 1247 By the authority vested in me, pursuant to part II, Article 44 of the New Hampshire Constitution, on July 10, 2020, I have vetoed House Bill 1247, relative to mortgage defaults and nonpayment of rent during the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak state of emergency. Putting a moratorium on evictions was an important early step that my administration took to ensure that Granite Staters did not lose their housing during the COVID-19 pandemic. This emergency order (EO #4) was issued four days after a State of Emergency was declared on March 13, 2020, and received international recognition for the swift action we took. After approximately four months and after providing the public with ample time and ability to prepare, this order sunset on July 1. In phasing out the moratorium on evictions, the State changed the eviction notice requirement from 7 days to 30 days for new evictions initiated for nonpayment of rent that came due during the moratorium. This will provide renters and mortgagees additional time to develop a repayment plan. Additionally, my administration allocated $35 million in CARES Act spending to create the New Hampshire Housing Relief Program to further assist individuals and help them avoid losing their housing as the emergency order expired. This program includes: � Assistance for past due rent that was incurred because of COVID-19. � Assistance with other housing related expenses like utilities. � Assistance to maintain or secure more permanent housing. We must remember that property owners have also struggled throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Small property owners who rent 10 units or fewer account for 90% of rental units in New Hampshire. They too have financial obligations that must be met, including mortgages, taxes and utilities. Denying property owners the opportunity to pay their bills is a recipe for them removing these rental units from the market, placing them up for sale in our robust real estate market, and further exacerbating the shortage of rental units that already exists across New Hampshire. Not only would this reduce the housing supply, but it would also, in turn, drive up the cost of rent statewide. This would further undermine opportunities for workforce housing, particularly for low income individuals, the very same group that proponents of this legislation suggest they are trying to help. Prior to the current pandemic, my administration was aggressively tackling a significant housing crisis in New Hampshire. Unfortunately, the Legislature chose not to move forward with my bipartisan housing bills. House Bill 1247 adds a major structural problem to an already precarious housing environment. The effect would be to take a bad situation and make it even worse. New Hampshire has been among the most proactive and aggressive states in the nation when it comes to housing issues during the COVID-19 pandemic and we will continue to devote significant resources and attention to the issue. However, this legislation is counterproductive and could have serious long-term consequences. For the reasons stated above, I have vetoed House Bill 1247. Respectfully submitted, Christopher T. Sununu, Governor The question being, notwithstanding the Governor's veto, shall HB 1247, relative to mortgage defaults and nonpayment of rent during the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak state of emergency, become law? Rep. Adjutant spoke in favor. Pursuant to the New Hampshire Constitution, Part II, Article 44, a roll call, requiring a two-thirds vote of the House for approval, was taken. Huot, David St. Clair, Charlie YEAS 187 - NAYS 148 Knirk, Jerry Burroughs, Anita Butler, Edward YEAS - 187 Bordenet, John Ticehurst, Susan Woodcock, Stephen BELKNAP Harvey, Cathryn Schapiro, Joe Abbott, Michael Ames, Richard CARROLL Pearson, William Faulkner, Barry Fenton, Donovan Ley, Douglas Mann, John DesMarais, Edith Noel, Henry Swinburne, Sandy Tatro, Bruce Weber, Lucy CHESHIRE Campion, Polly Ford, Susan Hatch, William Berch, Paul Massimilla, Linda Tucker, Edith Gomarlo, Jennie Ruprecht, Dennis Parkhurst, Henry Weston, Joyce Abel, Richard Von Plinsky, Sparky Dontonville, Roger Beaulieu, Jane French, Elaine Laflamme, Larry COOS Chretien, Jacqueline Mulligan, Mary Jane Thomas, Yvonne Cornell, Patricia Stavis, Laurel Moynihan, Wayne Espitia, Manny Griffith, Willis Bouldin, Amanda Adjutant, Joshua GRAFTON Herbert, Christopher Bergeron, Paul Egan, Timothy Klein-Knight, Nicole Cleaver, Skip Josephson, Timothy Almy, Susan Murray, Megan Dargie, Paul Nordgren, Sharon Fellows, Sallie Murphy, Nancy Davis, Fred Stringham, Jerry Maes, Kevin Pedersen, Michael Hamer, Heidi Osborne, Richard Porter, Marjorie Jack, Martin Sykes, George Newman, Sue Langley, Diane Stevens, Deb Mangipudi, Latha Bouldin, Andrew HILLSBOROUGH Vail, Suzanne Nutter-Upham, Frances Bernet, Jennifer Williams, Kermit Petrigno, Peter Cohen, Bruce Backus, Robert Query, Joshua Desjardin, Kathy Bouchard, Donald Doherty, David Shaw, Barbara Freitas, Mary Connors, Erika Fulweiler, Joyce Smith, Timothy Harriott-Gathright, Linda Dutzy, Sherry MacKay, James Vann, Ivy King, Mark Goley, Jeffrey Richards, Beth Woodbury, David Leishman, Peter Heath, Mary Schuett, Dianne Martin, Joelle Klee, Patricia Wallner, Mary Jane Bartlett, Christy Nutting-Wong, Allison Long, Patrick Woods, Gary Ebel, Karen Pickering, Daniel McGhee, Kat Karrick, David Newman, Ray O'Brien, Michael Bunker, Lisa Martins, Kathleen Sofikitis, Catherine Piedra, Israel DiLorenzo, Charlotte Rodd, Beth Telerski, Laura Riel, Cole Grote, Jaci Schultz, Kristina Thomas, Wendy Stack, Kathryn Malloy, Dennis Walz, Mary Beth Toomey, Dan Pantelakos, Laura Wilhelm, Matthew Abramson, Max Conley, Casey Cahill, Michael Buchanan, Ryan MERRIMACK Higgins, Peg Eisner, Mary Ellison, Arthur Levesque, Cassandra Murray, Kate Lane, Connie Carson, Clyde Rich, Cecilia McBeath, Rebecca McWilliams, Rebecca Fox, Samantha Wall, Janet Read, Ellen Rogers, Katherine Luneau, David Shurtleff, Steve Moffett, Howard Bixby, Peter Wazir, Safiya Saunderson, George Ellis, Donna Turcotte, Alan Horrigan, Timothy Altschiller, Debra Wells, Kenneth Smith, Marjorie Cali-Pitts, Jacqueline Spang, Judith Gilman, Julie ROCKINGHAM Loughman, Tom McConnell, Liz Berrien, Skip Somssich, Peter Cushing, Robert Renny Grossman, Gaby Cannon, Gerri Lovejoy, Patricia Frost, Sherry Meuse, David Keans, Sandra Vallone, Mark Opderbecke, Linn Towne, Matthew STRAFFORD Chase, Wendy Grassie, Chuck Kenney, Cam Schmidt, Peter Treleaven, Susan Cloutier, John O'Hearne, Andrew SULLIVAN Tanner, Linda Sullivan, Brian Aldrich, Glen Bean, Harry NAYS - 148 Feeney, George Fields, Dennis Howard, Raymond BELKNAP Lang, Timothy Mackie, Jonathan Spanos, Peter Tilton, Franklin Varney, Peter Viens, Harry Comtois, Barbara Jurius, Deanna Sylvia, Michael Avellani, Lino Cordelli, Glenn CARROLL MacDonald, John Marsh, William Nelson, Bill Crawford, Karel