New Hampshire Congressional Bills

in committee · New Hampshire · House Jan 27, 2023

HR 432: Buy Low and Sell High Act

The Buy Low and Sell High Act establishes an Economic Petroleum Reserve of up to 350 million barrels of crude oil, to be purchased domestically at a maximum price of $60 per barrel. It creates Strategic Refined Petroleum Product Reserves for gasoline and diesel across different districts with specific storage requirements, and authorizes sales when certain price conditions are met. The bill restricts exports of petroleum products to countries like China, Russia, and Iran, and requires Federal agencies to gradually increase the percentage of alternative fuel vehicles in their fleets, with specific targets for light- and medium/heavy-duty vehicles. It also provides funding for state transportation electrification plans and assistance for refineries in Western Hemisphere countries to increase crude oil refining capacity, while increasing the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve capacity from 2 million to 4 million barrels.

Topics ✗ Energy

in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 26, 2023

S 94: Investing in State Energy Act of 2023

This bill modifies timing requirements for two federal energy assistance programs. It requires the Secretary to release application guidance and publish funding allocations within 60 days of funds becoming available for both the Weatherization Assistance Program and the State Energy Program. Additionally, it mandates that funds be distributed "as quickly as practicable" to states, tribes, or other recipients after they submit approved energy conservation plans. The bill directly affects states, Indian Tribes, and other direct recipients of these federal energy assistance programs by streamlining the distribution process. It is a procedural bill focused solely on timing, not altering program eligibility or funding levels.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 26, 2023

S 100: Better Care Better Jobs Act

The Better Care Better Jobs Act (S 100) aims to improve access to home and community-based services (HCBS) for Medicaid beneficiaries by providing federal funding to states for developing improvement plans and implementing an HCBS Infrastructure Improvement Program. The bill offers enhanced federal funding (a 10 percentage point increase in Medicaid matching rates) to states that meet requirements including maintaining or expanding HCBS access, improving direct care worker wages and training, and implementing quality measurement systems. States must develop detailed plans assessing current HCBS availability, workforce conditions, and barriers to access, and then report annually on progress toward specific benchmarks. The bill also makes permanent certain Medicaid provisions related to spousal impoverishment protection and extends the Money Follows the Person program, directly affecting Medicaid beneficiaries and direct care workers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Hampshire · House Jan 26, 2023

HR 536: FAIR Act

This bill adjusts federal employee pay rates for 2024. It increases basic pay for all federal workers under statutory pay systems and prevailing rate systems by 4.7%, and raises locality pay adjustments by 4.0%. These changes directly affect all federal employees covered by the specified pay systems, including those in wage areas and under sections 5348/5349 of Title 5. The bill implements these raises without altering existing pay system structures or requirements.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 25, 2023

S 77: STEP Improvement Act of 2023

The STEP Improvement Act of 2023 updates the Small Business Administration's State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), which provides grants to states to help small businesses expand exports. It requires the SBA to publish clear application guidelines by March 31 each year, set fixed deadlines for submissions (June 1-May 31), and explain award amounts to applicants. The bill also mandates annual surveys of grantee states to collect feedback, detailed annual reports with disaggregated data on business outcomes (e.g., by women-owned or rural businesses), and streamlined processes for budget revisions. These changes aim to increase transparency, improve program effectiveness, and extend funding authorization through 2028.

in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 25, 2023

S 89: No Budget, No Pay Act

This bill requires Congress to approve a budget resolution and pass all regular appropriations bills by October 1 each fiscal year. If Congress fails to meet this deadline, members of Congress (excluding the Vice President) would not receive pay for the period of non-compliance, with no retroactive payment allowed. The Budget and Appropriations Chairs in each chamber would determine compliance on October 1 and certify pay status. The law would take effect on September 30, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 25, 2023

S 71: Extending Limits of United States Customs Waters Act of 2023

Extending Limits of United States Customs Waters Act of 2023 This bill extends the customs waters territory of the United States. Under current law, customs waters means waters within four leagues of the coast of the United States. This bill revises the definition to include (1) the territorial sea of the United States to the limits permitted by international law in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 5928, dated December 27, 1988, that extended such limits to 12 nautical miles from the baselines of the United States; and (2) the contiguous zone of the United States to the limits permitted by international law in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 7219, dated September 2, 1999, that extended such limits to 24 nautical miles from the baselines of the United States.

in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 24, 2023

S 51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act

This bill would admit Washington, D.C. as the 51st state, officially named "State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth," granting it full representation in Congress with two Senators and one Representative. It would establish a "Capital" area within the new state that remains under federal jurisdiction, including the White House, Capitol Building, and other key government properties. The bill would repeal the District of Columbia's congressional delegate position and the 23rd Amendment, which currently provides D.C. with electoral votes in presidential elections. It would also provide for the transition of federal properties, courts, and government functions while maintaining federal control over the Capital area.

Thomas R. Carper (D) · 46 co-sponsors

in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 24, 2023

S 54: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the limitation on the credit for biomass stoves and boilers.

This bill increases the tax credit limit for homeowners installing qualifying biomass stoves and boilers. It raises the maximum credit to $2,000 for certain stoves/boilers and $8,000 for others under the energy efficient home improvement tax credit. The change directly affects homeowners who purchase and install eligible biomass heating systems after December 31, 2022. The policy amendment modifies the Internal Revenue Code to expand the financial incentive for these energy-efficient home upgrades.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · New Hampshire · House Jan 24, 2023

HR 472: Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2023

HR 472, the Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2023, requires the Attorney General to develop a report within 150 days of enactment on programs to provide specialized mental health services for public safety officers (including police, firefighters, EMTs, and 911 dispatchers) and telecommunicators. The report must propose evidence-based trauma care, peer support, and family services to address job-related PTSD and acute stress disorder, while ensuring confidentiality for those seeking help. It will also outline efficient implementation plans using in-person and telehealth options across state, tribal, territorial, and local levels, plus draft legislative language and funding estimates. The bill directly targets public safety workers facing significantly higher PTSD rates (30% vs. 20% general population) and elevated suicide risks, including an estimated 125-300 annual police suicides.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

David P. Joyce (R) · 36 co-sponsors

in committee · New Hampshire · House Jan 24, 2023

HR 451: Protecting Families from Fertility Fraud Act of 2023

HR 451, the Protecting Families from Fertility Fraud Act of 2023, creates a federal crime for knowingly misrepresenting the source or nature of DNA used in fertility treatments like IVF or sperm insemination. It directly affects fertility clinics, patients, and individuals who commit such fraud by making it punishable by fines or up to 10 years in prison. The law applies when the fraud involves interstate commerce (e.g., payments, communications, or materials crossing state lines) or occurs within U.S. territories. It also extends the statute of limitations for prosecution to 10 years after DNA identifies the perpetrator. This bill targets specific deceptive practices in assisted reproductive technology, not broader fertility care.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 23, 2023

S 8: Improving Health Insurance Affordability Act of 2023

This bill expands health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act for people with household incomes up to 800% of the federal poverty line (up from 400%), directly affecting millions of middle-income Americans purchasing coverage through health insurance marketplaces. Key provisions adjust the sliding-scale subsidy system to lower premium percentages across income tiers - like reducing the maximum payment from 8.5% to 6% for incomes between 300%-400% of poverty - and increase cost-sharing reductions for lower-income enrollees. It also modifies eligibility thresholds, raising the income limit for the highest savings tier from 150% to 200% of poverty and increasing the percentage of out-of-pocket costs covered. These changes aim to make premiums and deductibles more affordable by expanding subsidy eligibility and refining how payments are calculated.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

New Hampshire Congressional Bills

Bill results