New Hampshire HB 303: relative to certification of building code compliance inspectors.

Bill Text

HB 303-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2025 SESSION

 25-0450

 06/08

HOUSE BILL 303-FN

AN ACT relative to requiring the department of labor review and adopt workers' occupational safety requirements that are similar to OSHA standards.

SPONSORS: Rep. B. Sullivan, Sull. 1; Rep. Bouchard, Hills. 24; Rep. Girard, Sull. 6; Rep. MacKenzie, Hills. 40

COMMITTEE: Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

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ANALYSIS

 This bill: 

 I. Requires state employers to adhere to OSHA-level safety standards. 

 II. Authorizes the commissioner to adopt rules, review standards annually, and update them as needed. 

 III. Provides for the hiring of up to 6 labor inspectors and one support staff to enforce these standards.

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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 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 25-0450

 06/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five

AN ACT relative to requiring the department of labor review and adopt workers' occupational safety requirements that are similar to OSHA standards.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 Health and Safety of Employees; Incorporation of OSHA Standards. Amend RSA 277:1 to read as follows:

 277:1 Application. This chapter shall apply to all places of employment in which one or more persons are regularly employed. Employers shall provide employees a level of protection that is at least as effective as the level of protection set forth in rules adopted pursuant to RSA 277:16. 

 2 New Paragraph; Rulemaking; OSHA Standards. Amend RSA 277:16 by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph:

 III. The commissioner shall adopt such rules, under RSA 541-A, as the commissioner deems reasonable and necessary in order to implement standards that are at least as effective as the level of protection provided under the federal Occupation Safety and Health Administration standards found in 29 C.F.R. part 1910 D through Z, with the exception of subparts U, V, W, and X. 

 (a) The commissioner shall have authority to determine if standards are inapplicable to employers and are unnecessary to implement. The commissioner shall also have authority to determine the timing and priority of implementation of standards through rulemaking. However, the standards implemented shall be at least as effective as those applicable standards contained within 29 C.F.R. part 1910 D through Z, with the exception of subparts U, V, W, and X, within 3 years from the effective date of this paragraph. 

 (b) The commissioner shall, on an annual basis, review implemented standards and the need for implantation of additional standards and, through rulemaking, shall update such standards as necessary. The commissioner shall maintain record of annual reviews, inclusive of rational relative to standards reviewed. The commissioner shall make available such record of annual review to any interested party on request. 

 (c) The commissioner shall make recommendation to the legislature for statutory amendment to RSA 277 when such amendment is identified as necessary following annual review of standards. 

 3 Additional Staffing Requirement. The labor commissioner may establish up to 6 additional full-time, classified labor inspector positions, at labor grade 22, as well as one full-time classified support position, at labor grade 19. The salary and benefits costs for the positions, in addition to equipment, current expenses, rent, or contract costs necessary to implement this act, shall be a charge against the department of labor administration fund under RSA 281-A:59 or the restricted fund under RSA 273:1-b, in proportions and amounts proposed by the commissioner and approved by the legislative fiscal committee.

 4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

 LBA

 25-0450

 12/19/24

HB 303-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT relative to requiring the department of labor review and adopt workers' occupational safety requirements that are similar to OSHA standards.

FISCAL IMPACT: The bill authorizes the Commissioner of the Department of Labor to establish up to 6 full-time inspector positions and one support staff, the cost of which shall be a charge against the Administration Fund under RSA 281-A:59 or the Restricted Fund under RSA 273:1-b.

 Estimated State Impact

FY 2025

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

 Revenue

$0

In excess of $639,000

In excess of $580,000

In excess of $594,000

 Revenue Fund(s)

Administration Fund under RSA 281-A:59 or the Restricted Fund under RSA 273:1-b

 Expenditures*

$0

In excess of $639,000 

In excess of