We continue highlighting some of the 34 bills and amendments scheduled for a session of the full Senate today.
The proposals include eliminating the state motor vehicle registration surcharge, repealing boating speed limits on Lake Winnipesaukee, and establishing a managed care platform for the state’s Medicaid program.
Unused prescription drugs could soon be donated to some uninsured or underinsured patients in New Hampshire. The Board of Pharmacy is working with three test sites in Hanover, Rochester and Exeter to roll out the Unused Prescription Drug Program created by the Legislature in 2006.
It’s a social cause that could save the state a lot of money, too.
New Hampshire is one step closer to its budget for the next two years, although it still may be a long way off.
New Hampshire has about five months to get its books in the black before the end of the current fiscal year on June 30, 2009. Last fall, the state was an estimated $250 million over budget, mainly because it just didn’t bring in as much dough as it expected. Then, just before Thanksgiving, the Fiscal Committee approved several executive orders from Gov. John Lynch that saved about $175 million.
Last week, the House Finance Committee took on a chunk of the remaining $75 million deficit, and the full House will weigh in on their proposed cuts next week. Here’s a rundown of what’s in store.
The committees are made, bills introduced and seats assigned. The NH House and Senate took their formal start for 2009 on Wednesday, Jan. 7, one day before Gov. Lynch’s inauguration.
And there’s no time to waste, as public hearings start next week on the nearly 1000 bills up for debate this session.
House committees are scheduled to hear a total of 55 bills next week, while the Senate is looking at 12. Following is a short selection of bill titles with their prime sponsors, hearing dates, assigned committees and brief analyses.