Lawmakers are set to begin negotiations on a bill aimed at increasing funding for domestic violence programs.
Both chambers have agreed to increase funding, but they disagree on how to do it. The House supports raising the marriage license fee by $5, from $45 to $50, with the expected $45,000 in new annual revenue going toward a domestic violence grant program. The Senate's plan keeps that increase and establishes a mandatory fee of at least $50 for anyone convicted of a domestic violence offense.
Rather than agreeing to the Senate's change, House members requested a committee of conference to negotiate details.
New Hampshire passed a bill last year making domestic violence its own crime. Since the law is new, it's unclear how much money the fee would bring in.
