CONCORD – New Hampshire joined five other states yesterday in rejecting the federal Real ID Act as tantamount to requiring a national ID card.

"Here in New Hampshire, we pride ourselves on being frugal, and here in New Hampshire, we pride ourselves on respecting the privacy of our neighbors," Gov. John Lynch said at a bill signing.

South Carolina, Montana, Washington, Oklahoma and Maine also have rejected the federal act.

Last year, New Hampshire -- one of two states picked to pilot the Real ID program -- was the first state to consider rejecting the federal law, but the bill failed in the Senate.

"Your voices were heard in Concord and hopefully will be heard in Washington," said Rep. Neal Kurk, R-Weare, the prime sponsor of the New Hampshire bill.

Lead limits lowered

Lawmakers yesterday voted to cut in half the level of lead in a child's blood that triggers a state investigation.

The bill -- sponsored by Sen. Betsi DeVries, D-Manchester -- would reduce the lead limits that both trigger a doctor's report to the state and an investigation into the possible source from 20 micrograms to 10 micrograms. The bill also would expand where investigators could look.

Currently, investigators can only check the apartment where the child lives. The bill would let them check other apartments in the building for possible lead contamination if a problem is found in the child's home. Supporters said New Hampshire can't afford to leave the threshold at the current level because that most likely will lead to permanent brain damage.

Opponents of the bill said it doesn't go far enough.

"This has nothing to do with testing children," said Sen. Jack Barnes, who wanted universal testing. "You're adding six more people (at the Department of Health and Human Services). There are people dying here and we're sitting here. There's something wrong."

State Sen. Ted Gatsas said the change was fine, but doesn't do enough for prevention.

"Either we test, or we have children who have lead-paint poisoning," said Sen. Ted Gatsas, who was among the nine senators who voted against the bill.

The change takes effect Jan. 1.

Retirees COL hike

Retirees will get a 2.25 percent cost of living increase thanks to legislation passed yesterday intended to shore up the state pension system.

The $5 billion state retirement system is only funded at 58 percent of its long-term obligations because of several years of lagging stock market performance, and lawmakers hope the legislation will bolster it.

There is no immediate threat to retirement benefits, but the fund has fallen below the level required to cover all retiring baby boomers over the next 20 to 30 years.

The system serves about 20,000 retirees and 53,000 public employees -- teachers, firefighters, police officers and state and local government workers.

A second bill passed establishes a commission to study how best to provide for the future health of the system.

Fuel oil protection

Consumers who buy their heating fuel early will have greater protections under a bill lawmakers sent yesterday to the governor.

Customers lost money this winter when three dealers in the state went out of business.

The bill would require dealers to demonstrate they can fulfill their pre-buy contracts. They could do that by posting a bond or getting a loan guarantee to cover any surge in their costs, or they could sign contracts to buy fuel in the future at a specified price.

The bill also would require clear wording in pre-buy contracts and bar dealers from signing them for the coming heating season before Jan. 1.

The legislation covers fuel oil, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas dealers.

Foreclosure scams

Lawmakers passed a bill yesterday to protect homeowners from losing their homes and their equity to foreclosure rescue scams.

The bill is intended to deal with a growing problem that has cost some residents their homes. Banking Commissioner Peter Hildreth said the number of foreclosures is expected to rise over the next few months, increasing the number of people vulnerable to scams.

The bill would give people the right to cancel pre-foreclosure sales agreements and foreclosure consultant services contracts within a specified time. It also requires comprehensive disclosures of the terms of any deal and requires contracts be written in simple language.