Stripped-down auto inspection plan in proposed Senate budget
Senate budget writers review auto inspection program changes
Senate budget writers approved a stripped-down program of inspections for car and truck owners. In March, the House had voted overwhelmingly to get rid of the annual exams.
A stripped-down, safety inspection requirement for New Hampshire car and truck owners has emerged in the latest state Senate budget proposal as Republican leaders revived an issue that looked like it had been put off until 2026.
The Senate Finance Committee unanimously embraced the plan of Sen. Howard Pearl, R-Loudon, and three colleagues that seeks consensus with the House of Representatives that overwhelmingly voted to get rid of these inspections altogether (HB 649).
'I feel like this is down-the-middle approach to where we want to get to. We all hear from our constituents that this was an important topic for them that they wanted to see some action on,' said Pearl who chairs the Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee.
A final House-Senate compromise on this and the entire budget are weeks away, but this could improve the tenor of those talks since both sides are addressing this inspection testing mandate.
Leading House members working on the auto inspection issue bitterly criticized the Senate earlier this month after it voted, 19-3, to again refer the House-passed bill to repeal the program which meant it would be on the sidelines until early next year.
Here's how Pearl's proposal would work:
• New cars and trucks owners: They would have to pass a safety inspection, but then not have to have one for another three years;
• Older vehicles: All those owning vehicles three years and older would have to pass a safety inspection each year, but one that checked out a lot fewer items than the current tests do;
• Diagnostic/Emissions: This would direct the Department of Environmental Services by Jan. 1 to ask the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for permission to do away with on-board diagnostic and emission testing of tailpipes, currently the part of all annual inspections and,
• Delayed Start-Up: This would put off all these changes until Jan. 1, 2027, to give DES time to get an answer from the EPA and for lawmakers to make any adjustments based upon that response.
New Hampshire has had these tailpipe tests done since the early 1990s so it would be following the federal Clean Air Act.
Pearl's nine-page amendment (on pages 21-29) includes explicit language that auto shop owners may not flunk for inspection incidental items such as an auxiliary light, mirror crack or some other computer glitch in the car or truck that doesn't affect its operation.
Sen. David Watters, D-Dover, credited Sen. Dan Innis, R-Bradford, and Pearl with working out this language.
'This program will ensure we have safety on our roads, and we deal with what some people call the nuisance factor of these inspections,' Watters said.
Sen. Tim Lang, R-Sanbornton, estimated the changes reduce the number of factors affecting a pass or fail inspection from 'more than 55 down to about 20.'
'We intended it to be a safety program; with this, it would be back to being a safety program,' Lang said.
Pearl said this would not alter up or down the cost that garage owners could charge for inspections.
House budget writers put repeal of these inspections, and the layoff of all state staff to run the program into the trailer bill of the two-year state budget it approved last month.
Health insurance premiums
Senate budget writers endorsed a modified way for income eligible families on government insurance programs to pay a monthly premium for coverage.
Gov. Kelly Ayotte had proposed those making over federal poverty level limits to pay 5% of their monthly income in these premiums.
Senate Majority Leader Regina Birdsell, R-Hampstead, has countered with a flat monthly premium based on the number of people in the family.
The two Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee opposed the plan.
On health insurance premiums, Ayotte had proposed last February:
• Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP): 8,000 families with children in CHIP would pay if they made at least 255% of the federal poverty level, which is roughly $72,500 a year. The 5% premium would be about $300 a month or $3,600 a year.
Birdsell's plan changes it to a flat monthly premium of $190 for a family of two, $230 for a family of three and $270 for a family of four.
• Granite Advantage: The premium would be charged to 12,000 for low-income adults in the Medicaid expansion program who made at least 100% of the federal poverty level, which for a single person is about $16,000 annually. The 5% translates to about $66 a month or $800 a year in client payments.
Birdsell's proposal alters this to a sliding scale based on family size of $60 for a single monthly to $100 for a four-person family.
What's Next: The Senate Finance Committee will make its final votes on the spending plan Tuesday.
Prospects: House leaders could decide this change to inspections achieves its top goals, getting rid of the 'nuisance' tests and giving newer car and truck owners a break since the failure rate for these vehicles is so low.
klandrigan@unionleader.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fast Company
20 minutes ago
- Fast Company
From immigration law to business success: Navigating the challenges for foreign business in the U.S.
As a U.S. business immigration attorney and founder of Grape Law Firm PLLC, I have worked with many foreign entrepreneurs who have achieved lasting success in the United States. Establishing and scaling a company here requires time, effort, and strategic planning to navigate a complex web of immigration regulations and compliance requirements. COMMON LEGAL HURDLES IN SECURING EMPLOYEE VISAS The primary challenge faced by businesspeople is securing a legal presence in the United States. This means obtaining the appropriate visa or status for both entrepreneurs and their essential personnel. However, the process of business immigration to the U.S. is often a challenging adventure. According to the 2024 CIS Ombudsman Annual Report, from initial market entry to business expansion—and even to permanent establishment—the complexities of business immigration affect entrepreneurs at every stage of their U.S. journey. They face significant challenges in documenting the viability of their enterprises to immigration officials while managing their immigration status to meet the changing needs of the business ecosystem. NAVIGATING VISA PATHWAYS FOR BUSINESS GROWTH As business immigration attorneys, one of our primary duties is to help our clients choose the most suitable visa for their business vision and goals. The selection of the appropriate visa is the foundation on which a successful application strategy is built and is an investment in the company's long-term growth. It is imperative for entrepreneurs to understand that various options exist for starting new businesses in the United States or expanding existing operations. Each visa category has its own distinct advantages and considerations based on differing business needs. For instance, the E‑1 Treaty Trader and the E‑2 Treaty Investor visas are viable options for entrepreneurs. These visa categories cater to foreign traders and investors who are citizens of treaty countries—countries that have treaty agreements with the U.S. Traders must engage in continuous trade with the United States, and the U.S. must be their primary trading partner. Conversely, investors must make substantial investments through new or existing enterprises. Both the E‑1 and E‑2 visas can support long-term, sustainable business ventures in the United States (each is valid for up to five years and can be extended indefinitely), provided that they spur economic progress in their respective industries and investment areas. Furthermore, the L‑1 Intracompany Transferee visa is an ideal choice for international companies planning to expand to the U.S. The L‑1 visa allows foreign companies to transfer their managerial or executive employees for new office openings, thereby facilitating the establishment of operations in the United States. However, a potential downside is that the L‑1 visa requires rigorous application preparation—a thorough case file must be compiled, followed by consistently detailed documentation of organizational development and business growth metrics, especially during the first three years of operations. A CASE IN POINT One case from our L‑1 visa practice perfectly illustrates these complexities. As a seasoned professional in the scaffolding industry, our client's initial L‑1 New Office visa application succeeded through careful preparation and a comprehensive five‑year business plan. However, the real challenges emerged during the extension phase. When she sought to extend her L‑1 visa with different legal counsel, she faced a rigorous Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS that scrutinized every aspect of her business operations. The RFE questioned not only the structure, but also its growth trajectory and staffing decisions—common challenges that many foreign businesses face in proving the legitimacy and sustainability of their operations. The industry's unique characteristics, including its project‑based nature and specialized staffing requirements, made it particularly challenging to conform to USCIS's traditional expectations for business development. Her case is a stark reminder for prospective entrepreneurs that experienced immigration counsel can provide needed guidance throughout the ups and downs of their U.S. immigration journey. Entrepreneurs must acknowledge that deciding on the right visa type is more than an entry ticket to the United States—a visa is the key to legal rights, business investments, and financial aspirations that influence one's life in the U.S. BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS The U.S. business immigration ecosystem is ever-changing and demands legal acumen in business planning—integrating proactive immigration solutions from the very beginning. To achieve lasting success, entrepreneurs need expert legal guidance to navigate the complex steps of immigration and adapt to any changes or updates in the immigration system. Beyond legal counsel, success often hinges on comprehensive preparation and strategic planning. Maintaining detailed business documentation from day one proves crucial for immigration success. Successful immigrant entrepreneurs often distinguish themselves through meticulous record-keeping of business transactions, employee contracts, and market analyses that demonstrate their enterprise's viability. Early strategic planning should include developing detailed business projections, establishing clear organizational structures, and creating systems for tracking achievements and metrics. These elements strengthen visa applications and create a foundation for sustainable growth. Networking within industry associations and chambers of commerce can provide valuable insights into immigration processes and business development. Furthermore, entrepreneurs who actively participate in their industry's ecosystem often find themselves better positioned to demonstrate their legitimacy to immigration authorities. This comprehensive approach, combining thorough documentation with strategic foresight, guarantees that immigration planning aligns with business goals while maintaining strict compliance with U.S. regulations. As we look to the future, business expansion into the United States and immigration to the country will only become more interlinked. In that regard, the aforementioned success story of our entrepreneur client is an excellent example—showcasing that viewing immigration not as a hurdle but as a strategic tool is essential for success. Always remember: proper planning, combined with expert guidance, can transform potential obstacles into opportunities for growth in the American market. The key to sustainable success lies in developing a nuanced understanding of how immigration pathways can support business objectives while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Forbes
20 minutes ago
- Forbes
Employers Reluctant To Cover Obesity Meds, Lower Costs May Change This
A new survey report from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans shows continued reluctance by United States employers to cover glucagon-like peptide-1 drugs for weight loss. Going forward, however, lower net costs may induce better coverage by employers. Makers of GLP-1s for obesity are offering an array of discounts, some to insurers, others directly to patients. The IFEBP first conducted the survey in Oct. 2023 and again in May 2024. In the latest survey released ten days ago, employers revealed that 55% of them provide coverage of GLP-1s for diabetes only, while only 36% provide coverage for both diabetes and weight loss. And of those employers currently offering GLP-1 drug coverage solely for diabetes, just 17% are considering reimbursement of drugs for weight loss. Broadly speaking, the survey responses demonstrate that a large number of employers are still unwilling to reimburse GLP-1s for obesity. The weight loss therapeutics activate the body's receptors for GLP-1 on its own or in combination with GIP. When released by the gut, these natural hormones increase insulin delivery, suppress appetite, slow stomach emptying and increase the feeling of fullness. Perhaps what's driving continued reluctance to cover these products for weight loss is the overall impact that GLP-1s have on employers' pharmacy budgets. GLP-1 drugs used for obesity account for an average of 10.5% of total annual claims in the 2025 survey. In parts of the traditional health plans' market, we observe that some insurers are reconsidering their coverage of GLP-1s. Blue Cross Blue Shield, for example, just announced a reversal in its policy in which some plans offered coverage of GLP-1s for obesity. Starting in January 2026, BCBS will no longer cover these medicines for weight loss across the insurer's standard plans. At the same time, however, the large insurer Cigna announced it will begin capping out-of-pocket costs at $200 per month, starting next month, for patients using the obesity drugs Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) through an add-on to its pharmacy benefit management plans. This is aimed at encouraging more employers to offer coverage of the drugs. It's unknown what the net cost to Cigna will be for the medicines. But presumably, the insurer has been able to reach a deal that's favorable financially, meaning a substantial reduction in net costs. It's possible in future that employers decide to revisit their coverage decisions if net costs decrease sufficiently, combined with more data showing the benefits of weight loss drugs when taken consistently and in conjunction with an appropriate dietary and exercise regimen. Also, the pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk announced last month a new partnership with CVS Caremark, the nation's largest pharmacy benefit manager, which grants coverage of Wegovy over its competitor Zepbound for customers who are insured for obesity medications. It's presumed that CVS was able to negotiate sizable rebates for Wegovy. CVS Caremark said that for insured patients, starting this July, Wegovy and Saxenda (liraglutide) will be the preferred GLP-1 medicines on its largest commercial formularies. This implies fewer access restrictions such as prior authorization, but also lower patient cost-sharing. It's unknown precisely what this means in terms of out-of-pocket costs for patients. But most patients with coverage for obesity drugs have monthly cost-sharing under $100. The arrangements reached by Cigna and CVS could help bring down net prices for employers for popular weight loss medicines. And at the same time, under the Inflation Reduction Act, the federal government is negotiating the prices of the GLP-1s Ozempic (semaglutide) and Wegovy. So-called maximum fair prices will be publicly posted in early 2026. These could reflect even steeper discounts. In addition to what payers are doing, Novo Nordisk is pursuing a direct-to-patient strategy to regain market share it has lost to drug maker Eli Lilly in the lucrative obesity drug market. Here, Novo Nordisk struck a deal in which CVS pharmacy will offer Wegovy for $499 a month for cash-paying customers who aren't insured for the medication. Since the Food and Drug Administration removed the active ingredients semaglutide and tirzepatide from its shortage list, the business model of selling directly at a considerable discount to the consumer has become popular for the two main manufacturers of obesity drugs. In 2024, Eli Lilly adopted a direct-to-consumer strategy for Zepbound, among other products, with its LillyDirect program. This service includes a DTC pharmacy and a referral network of in-person and telehealth clinicians. LillyDirect allows uninsured or underinsured individuals not on Medicaid or Medicare to purchase Zepbound product directly after obtaining the requisite prescription from their doctor. The firm recently extended the range of Zepbound products available through LillyDirect by adding high-dose vials at $499. Rival Novo Nordisk also launched a DTC option, NovoCare Pharmacy, two months ago. Patients not insured in the public sector who wish to have access to Wegovy can acquire the drug for an out-of-pocket cost of $499 per month, provided they have a prescription and make use of a designated specialty pharmacy. And, since the end of April, customers also pay a $499 monthly subscription when they obtain Wegovy from Ro and LifeMD, and $599 at Hims & Hers. While employers aren't yet reimbursing weight loss drugs en masse, significantly reduced net costs could affect their future coverage decisions.
Washington Post
21 minutes ago
- Washington Post
The Latest: Trump's tax cuts and tariff hikes spark concerns
President Donald Trump faces the challenge of convincing Republican senators, global investors, voters and even Elon Musk that he won't bury the federal government in debt with his multitrillion-dollar tax breaks package. The response so far from financial markets has been skeptical. Meanwhile, Trump's doubling of tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum could hit Americans in an unexpected place: grocery aisles. The announcement Friday of a staggering 50% levy on those imports stoked fear that big-ticket purchases from cars to washing machines to houses could see major price increases.
