The move to welcome Killington, Vt., into the tax-free bosom of New Hampshire has been treated as a joke by many, but it's an issue state lawmakers seem to be taking more seriously than anyone thought.

At their March 1 town meeting, Killington residents voted 117-45 to continue with plans to secede from Vermont, a move that's been welcomed by the Granite State but isn't so fondly regarded by Vermont officials. Last week, the N.H. Senate Energy and Economic Development Committee recommended the Senate approve HB 288, which would establish a commission to start the process of annexing Killington to New Hampshire. The bill will go before the full Senate for a vote on May 19, but there's still a lot to be done before Killington can join the state. The legislatures of both states and the U.S. Congress must all approve the secession.

The Energy and Economic Committee will tackle another contentious but much more serious topic this week, when it looks at HB 69. The bill, which would have given municipalities veto power over large groundwater withdrawal permits issued by the state Department of Environmental Services, has been de-fanged since it made it out of the House. If passed now, it would only require the DES to provide towns and permit applicants with any correspondence the agency exchanges with each party. The bill also calls for a public hearing prior to the agency issuing a decision.

After last week's arrest of rogue manicurist and Free Stater Michael Fisher for giving out unlicensed nail jobs in Concord, state lawmakers continue their assault against errant estheticians on Wednesday when the Senate Public and Municipal Affairs Committee will meet to discuss HB 239, which would require shampoo assistants to receive a license from the state's Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics. This means anyone who shampoos, rinses treated or untreated hair, or performs "other cleaning or sink related functions" for a living will have to shell out $20 to the state for a license. The Cosmetology Board expects the licenses to net the state almost $2,500 in revenue the first year the law is in effect. Fisher was giving an illegal manicure to a fellow Free Stater in front of the offices of the Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics in protest of licensing requirements by the state.

The committee that day will also look at a pair of resolutions, declaring October 27 to be "Boston Red Sox Day" and urging Congress to find that the Piscataqua River and Portsmouth Harbor are actually in New Hampshire. A similar bill sponsored by Rep. Dick Marple (R-Hooksett) asking the state to find that Kittery and the Berwicks in Maine, along with the Piscataqua and Portsmouth Harbor, legally belong to the Granite State, failed earlier this year.

Also on Wednesday, the Senate Transportation and Interstate Commerce Committee will look at HB 392, a measure that would double mileage reimbursement for members of the Legislature. If passed, state representatives and senators would be reimbursed $.76 a mile for the first 45 miles they travel while on state business and $.38 for each additional mile. The current rate is set at $.38 and $.19 per mile. Previous attempts in 1999 and 2002 to increase the mileage reimbursement failed.

Over in the House, the Ways and Means Committee will examine SB 86, which would permit liquor manufacturers to open up on-site retail stores and give out half-ounce samples of their potent potables to folks of legal drinking age. The Flag Hill Winery and Distillery in Lee is currently the state's only licensed liquor manufacturer.

For a full meeting schedule and the low-down on all voting results, visit the N.H. General Court's Web site: http://gencourt.state.nh.us.