Bill Text: NH HB1256 | 2022 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relative to positions within the department of military affairs and veterans services, making an appropriation to the state regenerative manufacturing workforce development fund, and adjusting and making an appropriation relative to the medicaid reimbursement rates for ambulance services.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Enrolled - Dead) 2022-06-27 - Enrolled (in recess of) 05/26/2022 House Journal 14 [HB1256 Detail]
Download: New_Hampshire-2022-HB1256-Amended.html
HB 1256-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
15Mar2022... 0969h
04/28/2022 1663s
04/28/2022 1804s
2022 SESSION
22-2302
07/08
HOUSE BILL 1256-FN
SPONSORS: Rep. Allard, Merr. 21; Rep. Roy, Rock. 32; Rep. Deshaies, Carr. 6
COMMITTEE: State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
-----------------------------------------------------------------
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill:
I. Renames the position of cemetery superintendent to cemetery director and establishes duties and salary classifications for that office.
II. Alters the list of positions the adjutant general nominates for appointment.
III. Renames the position of administrator of the division of community based military programs to director of the division of community based military programs and establishes the salary classification for that office.
IV. Makes an appropriation to the state regenerative manufacturing workforce development fund.
V. Increases the Medicaid reimbursement rates for ambulance services and makes an appropriation thereof.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
15Mar2022... 0969h
04/28/2022 1663s
04/28/2022 1804s 22-2302
07/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Two
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services; New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery; Director of the State Veterans Cemetery. Amend RSA 110-B:74 to read as follows:
110-B:74 [Operation and Maintenance. The adjutant general shall administer the operation and maintenance of the New Hampshire state veterans cemetery which shall be located in Boscawen, New Hampshire.] Director of the State Veterans Cemetery. The state veterans cemetery, shall be under the direction of an unclassified director of the state veterans cemetery who shall be qualified to hold that position by reason of education and experience.
2 Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services; New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery; Cemetery Director. Amend RSA 110-B:76 to read as follows:
110-B:76 Cemetery [Superintendent] Director. [The adjutant general shall designate a cemetery superintendent who shall arrange for personnel, material, and equipment within the limits of appropriated funds and in accordance with the regulations and procedures adopted in accordance with RSA 110-B:8-a, and approved by the governor and council.] The cemetery director shall:
I. Serve as chief coordinator for all interment operations of the New Hampshire state veterans cemetery. Utilizes knowledge of cemetery operations and interpersonal skills to implement procedures to ensure dignity and professionalism of executing burial activities.
II. Coordinate with funeral directors, members of the clergy and family members to schedule and ensure proper funeral arrangements.
III. Establish and implement New Hampshire state veterans cemetery policies and procedures and exercises decision making authority over operational functions.
IV. Manage all facilities, utilities and equipment in support of cemetery operations.
V. Manage and supervise personnel to assure compliance in the implementation of standard operating procedures for the New Hampshire state veterans cemetery.
VI. Compile, analyze and manage the preparation of federal grants (generating revenue to the state); ensuring departmental compliance of federal guidelines on an ongoing basis.
VII. Interact with senior officials of the New Hampshire department of military affairs and veterans services, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, architects, federal officials, and representatives of other state agencies in coordinating the preparation of cemetery work programs, budgets, and purchasing to further the financial, operational, and ceremonial functions of the cemetery.
VIII. Compile, analyze and manage the preparation of periodic reports to provide information concerning cemetery activities to the administrator III, deputy adjutant general and adjutant general.
IX. Serves as liaison to the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery Association, Inc. and various committees and boards; interacts with senior legislators and heads of state veterans organizations.
X. Participates in community “outreach” by attending various military and veteran related functions and/or meetings around the state.
3 New Section; Director of the State Veterans Cemetery; Salary. Amend RSA 110-B by inserting after section 110-B:76 the following new section:
110-B:76-a Director of the State Veterans Cemetery; Salary.
I. The salary of the director of the state veterans cemetery shall be determined after assessment and review of the appropriate temporary letter grade allocation in RSA 94:1-a, I(b) for the position which shall be conducted pursuant to RSA 94:1-d and RSA 14:14-c. Upon completion of this action and appointment of the director of the state veterans cemetery, position number 19892 shall be abolished to allow for the transition of this classified position with its available appropriations into the un classified position of director of the state veterans cemetery. Funding shall be transferred into a new expenditure class number 011, within accounting unit 02-12-12-121010-2260. The incumbent in the abolished classified position shall be offered the opportunity to seek the adjutant general’s nomination for the unclassified position of director of the state veterans cemetery.
II. The amendment to RSA 110-B-74 shall take effect upon the abolition of position number 19892 under paragraph I, as certified by the commissioner of administrative services to the secretary of state and the director of legislative services.
4 Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services; Composition of Veterans Services; Nominations by Adjutant General. Amend RSA 110-B:83 to read as follows:
110-B:83 Composition of Veterans Services.
I. Veterans services shall be divided into 3 classes, namely the division of veterans services, the state veterans cemetery, and the division of community based military programs. Additionally there will be 2 advisory bodies, namely the veterans council and the military leadership team.
II. The division of veterans services shall assist veterans who are residents of this state or their dependents to secure all benefits or preferences to which they may be entitled under any state or federal laws or regulations.
III. The state veterans cemetery shall provide and maintain a dignified final-resting place to honor all veterans and eligible dependents which expresses the state's gratitude for their service to the country.
IV. The division of community based military programs shall collaborate, coordinate, and communicate with military and civilian provider groups in the delivery of services to New Hampshire veterans, service members, and their families.
V. The military leadership team and veterans council shall serve as advisory bodies and shall provide advice and guidance to the adjutant general regarding the delivery of services to veterans and military service members and their families.
VI. The adjutant general shall nominate for appointment by the governor, with the consent of the council, the deputy adjutant general, the director of the division of veterans services, the director of the division of community based military programs, and the director of the state veterans cemetery.
5 Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services; Division of Community Based Military Programs. Amend RSA 110-B:88 to read as follows:
110-B:88 Division of Community Based Military Programs. The division of community based military programs, shall be under the supervision of an [administrator] unclassified director of the division of community based military programs who shall be qualified to hold that position by reason of education and experience. The director shall facilitate military and civilian partnerships by collaborating, coordinating, and communicating with military and civilian provider groups in the delivery of services to New Hampshire veterans, service members, and their families. The [administrator] director shall be responsible for the following functions in accordance with applicable law:
I. Develop and implement innovative, effective, and sustainable provider engagement projects to increase education, outreach, and engagement with military-access resources.
II. Integrate military and civilian community and coalition networks and strengthen military-civilian community supports by integrating those supports into civilian structures.
III. Advocate for federal and state funding to target system changes to improve services.
IV. Ensure cost efficiency through decreased overlap, service redundancy and increased service fidelity.
V. Co-develop and provide oversight for New Hampshire's care coordination, including services and supports addressing substance misuse, homelessness, suicide prevention, mental health, sexual military trauma, unemployment, domestic violence, education, and legal support.
VI. Authorize, evaluate, and monitor the administration of federal and state grants.
VII. Initiate and facilitate state planning processes to improve access, navigation, and coordination of military-civilian services and support.
VIII. Compile and analyze program statistics and metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the system of care, initiatives and special projects, including the efforts of legislative, statewide, and community coalitions across the state.
6 New Section; Division of Community Based Military Programs; Director; Salary. Amend RSA 110-B by inserting after section 110-B:88 the following new section:
110-B:88-a Division of Community Based Military Programs; Director; Salary.
I. The salary of the director of the division of community based military programs shall be determined after assessment and review of the appropriate temporary letter grade allocation in RSA 94:1-a, I(b) for the position which shall be conducted pursuant to RSA 94:1-d and RSA 14:14-c. Upon completion of this action and appointment of the director of the state division of community based military programs, position number 41032 shall be abolished to allow for the transition of this classified position with its available appropriations into the un classified position of director of the division of community based military programs. Funding shall be transferred into a new expenditure class number 011, within accounting unit 02-12-12-121010-1015. The incumbent in the abolished classified position shall be offered the opportunity to seek the adjutant general’s nomination for the unclassified position of director of the division of community based military programs.
II. The amendment to RSA 110-B-74 shall take effect upon the abolition of position number 41032 under paragraph I, as certified by the commissioner of administrative services to the secretary of state and the director of legislative services.
7 State Regenerative Manufacturing Workforce Development Fund; Appropriation. The sum of $1,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022 is hereby appropriated to the state regenerative manufacturing workforce development fund established in RSA 162-T:3. This appropriation shall be nonlapsing. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
8 Department of Health and Human Services; Medicaid Reimbursement Rates for Ambulance Services. The department of health and human services shall increase the Medicaid reimbursement rate for ambulance services to be equal to 50 percent of the Medicare rate or ambulance services based on the rate in effect as of June 30, 2022.
9 Appropriation; Medicaid Reimbursement Rates for Ambulance Services. The sum of $868,264 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services to implement Medicaid reimbursement rate increases for ambulance services. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. Notwithstanding RSA 14:30-a, VI, in addition to the amounts appropriated in this section, the department of health and human services may accept and expend any matching federal funds available for the purposes of this section without prior approval of the fiscal committee of the general court.
I. Section 7 of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
II. Sections 8 and 9 of this act shall take effect July 1, 2022.
III. The remainder of this act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
22-2302
Amended 3/22/22
HB 1256-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2022-0969h)
AN ACT relative to positions within the department of military affairs and veterans services.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None
|
| |||
| Estimated Increase / (Decrease) | |||
STATE: | FY 2022 | FY 2023 | FY 2024 | FY 2025 |
Appropriation | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | $0 | $48,000 | $17,000 | $17,600 |
Funding Source: | [ X ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ X ] Other - Agency Income and Federal Funds | |||
|
|
|
|
|
METHODOLOGY:
This bill renames the position of cemetery superintendent to cemetery director and establishes duties and salary classifications for that office. The bill also renames the position of administrator of the division of community based military programs to director of the division of community based military programs and establishes the salary classification for that office.
The Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services was re-organized in 2019 and assumed control of the Division of Veterans Services (DVS) and the Division of Community Based Military Programs (DCBMP). As a result, the Department now has three major subordinate units: DVS, DCBMP the NH State Veterans Cemetery. Currently the Division of Veterans Services is led by an unclassified director and the other two divisions are led by classified employees. The DCBMP has an administrator and the State Veterans Cemetery has a superintendent. This legislation will make the cemetery superintendent and the DCBMP administrator unclassified employees. The bill will allow work hour flexibility for the cemetery superintendent and DCBMP administrator. Currently they work a fixed schedule and their duties often require them to work extra hours or off schedule days.
The fiscal impact was calculated by subtracting the current pay for both positions in the classified system from the current pay for an unclassified CC step 3. The incremental cost of benefits was included in the calculations. The amount for FY 2023 includes required payouts resulting from the conversion.
It is assumed that any fiscal impact would occur after FY 2022.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services
