Pub. 1 2019 Issue 4

NHADA worked collaboratively with Senator Jon Morgan (D-Brentwood) on securing an exemption from a new insurance department cyber security program law that would have placed a much larger regulatory burden on our businesses, on top of our already existing requirements specified in the Graham-Leach-Bliley act and its Privacy and Safeguarding rule requirements. We appreciate the Senators' support on that issue. We also fought the so-called digital right to repair bill that would have negatively impacted our powersport and con- struction equipment members. This bill was retained and we will continue to voice our opinion on the bill in order to narrow its focus on the handheld electronics industry, which is the stated intent of the sponsor. There were multiple OHRV bills that would have negatively impacted the motorized outdoor recreation industry in NH. We worked closely with the NH Fish and Game and the NH Trails Bureau, as well as our friends at the NH Off-Highway Vehicle Association. NHADA worked together with the NH Snowmobile Asso- ciation and Senator Bob Guida (R-Warren) on a bill that increased snowmobile registration fees. Although not supportive of fee increases as a whole, it was shown that the trail systems and the clubs required more funding from user fees. The compromise that NHADA proposed and that eventually passed was to phase in the fee increase over a few years period and, at the same time, study the trail system funding mechanisms. This approach ensures the trail system gets increased funding but also softens the blow on riders and trail users so that they continue to regis- ter and use the NH trail systems. A broad coalition of NH businesses, NHADA included, fought against a few bills that are bad for business. One would negatively impact the workers' compensation sys- tem; another would ban employers from performing credit checks on employees. Although these two bills passed the House and Senate, our advocacy has not stopped. We, along with other influential trade organizations, have gone to the Governor and asked for his veto of these bad-for-NH businesses bills. Some good news is that on July 10th, Governor Sununu did in fact veto HB 293, which would have prohibited employers from running credit checks on potential employees. We thank him for listening and for his support on that veto. There are many other bills that we worked on. The descrip- tions would be too long to include here, but rest assured we had an incredibly active and strong legislative pres- ence this session. At times, it felt like “if you weren’t at the table you are going to be on the menu,” but we were glad to be at the table representing you. Our legislative success is due to you, our members. Your positive presence in your communities helps our reputation at the state house. When asked, your voice and advocacy efforts help (and will continue to help) lead us over the finish line. As we have always said: Our Voice in Concord is Only as Loud as Yours Back Home. Thanks for being loud. If you have questions on the above bills or any of our legislative efforts, contact me at dbennett@nhada.com or (800) 852-3372. 603.391.2826 | www.stmarysbank.com FIRST IN THE NATION. SECOND TO NONE. As the nation’s first credit union, St. Mary’s Bank operates in your best interest. Serving over 100,000 New Hampshire families and businesses, at St. Mary’s, you’re more than just a customer—you’re a member. Discover the St. Mary’s Bank difference today. WE ALSO FOUGHT THE SO-CALLED DIGITAL RIGHT TO REPAIR BILL THAT WOULD HAVE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED OUR POWERSPORT AND CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT MEMBERS. THIS BILL WAS RETAINED AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO VOICE OUR OPINION ON THE BILL IN ORDER TO NARROW ITS FOCUS ON THE HANDHELD ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, WHICH IS THE STATED INTENT OF THE SPONSOR. N E W H A M P S H I R E 9