HB614: (New Title) making an appropriation to the department of health and human services to fund the Merrimack, New Hampshire Kidney Cancer Incidence Phase 3 Feasibility study.

HB 614-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

22Feb2023... 0533h

2023 SESSION

23-0256

08/05

HOUSE BILL 614-FN

AN ACT making an appropriation to the department of health and human services to fund the Merrimack, New Hampshire Kidney Cancer Incidence Phase 3 Feasibility study.

SPONSORS: Rep. N. Murphy, Hills. 12; Rep. Dunn, Rock. 16; Rep. Meuse, Rock. 37; Rep. W. Thomas, Hills. 12; Rep. Rung, Hills. 12; Rep. Lascelles, Hills. 14; Rep. K. Perez, Rock. 16; Rep. Rombeau, Hills. 2; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Chandley, Dist 11; Sen. Ricciardi, Dist 9

COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill makes an appropriation to the department of health and human services to fund the Merrimack, New Hampshire Kidney Incidence Phase 3 Feasibility Study.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

22Feb2023... 0533h 23-0256

08/05

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three

AN ACT making an appropriation to the department of health and human services to fund the Merrimack, New Hampshire Kidney Cancer Incidence Phase 3 Feasibility study.

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

1 Findings. The general court finds that given the statistically significant excess in the number of cases of kidney cancer in Merrimack, New Hampshire found by the department of health and human services, the known detection of environmental contaminants that have been associated with kidney cancer, and a trend of increasing incidence of kidney cancer over time, the department recommends that a feasibility study as determined by the New Hampshire Cancer Concern Investigation Protocol, Phase 3 be conducted. The general court further finds that a Phase 3 feasibility study would determine if an epidemiological study (Phase 4) is warranted and would identify appropriate cancers and health outcomes for inclusion in such study.

2 Appropriation; Department of Health and Humans Services; Phase 3 Feasibility Study.

I. There is hereby appropriated the sum of $500,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 2025, to the department of health and human services to enter into a contract with an academic or research organization to complete a New Hampshire Kidney Cancer Incidence Phase 3 Feasibility Study for the town of Merrimack to further understand potential exposures that may contribute to the excess of kidney cancer incidence in Merrimack and identify any next steps warranted. Such funds shall be nonlapsing and appropriated to the department for the purposes of this act. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

II. In order to provide funding for said appropriation, and subject to prior review by the joint legislative oversight committee on health and human services established in RSA 126-A:13, the department shall first use any available grant funding or any other non-state funds which may be used for this purpose.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.

LBA

23-0256 Amended 3/6/23

HB 614-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2023-0533h)

AN ACT making an appropriation to the department of health and human services to fund the Merrimack, New Hampshire Kidney Cancer Incidence Phase 3 Feasibility study.

FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None

Estimated Increase / (Decrease)

STATE:

FY 2023

FY 2024

FY 2025

FY 2026

Appropriation

$0

$500,000

$0

$0

Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

Expenditures

$0

$250,000

$250,000

$0

Funding Source:

[ X ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ X ] Other - Grants or other available sources of non-state funding.

METHODOLOGY:

This bill appropriates $500,000 for the FY24/25 biennium to the Department of Health and Human Services for the purpose of contracting with an academic or research organization to complete a NH Kidney Cancer Incidence Phase 3 Feasibility Study for the town of Merrimack. The bill requires that prior to any general funds being used, the Department shall first use any available grants or other non-state funding sources. The Department states that the appropriation would be used as follows:

One contracted, full-time statistical research analyst (estimated salary and benefits of $160,000 per year, or $320,000 over the two-year period);

One contracted, part-time community engagement specialist (estimated salary of $30,000 per year, or $60,000 over the two-year period);

Community engagement activities ($50,000 per year, or $100,000 over the two-year period); and

$20,000 for equipment needs and indirect costs.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Health and Human Services