SB 445 New Hampshire Senate · 2026 Regular Session

relative to adjudicative proceedings where there is a council or board with jurisdiction.

SB 445 changes the process for enforcing air pollution permits by requiring hearings before suspending permits and establishing a tiered fine system based on violation severity (ranging from $100 to $4,000). It affects businesses holding air pollution permits and the Department of Environmental Services, clarifying when hearings are needed and how fines are calculated. The bill replaces vague references to "hearings" with specific legal procedures under RSA 541-A and RSA 21-O:11. This modifies administrative enforcement without altering environmental standards or permit requirements.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2025
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Nov 21, 2025 Signed Jun 24, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

Version adopted by both bodies CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was finalized and assigned Chapter 185, incorporating specific amendments to environmental laws regarding permit suspensions and administrative fines. The most significant change is the removal of a general reference to RSA 541 for appeals in favor of a specific new process under RSA 21-O:11, IV, which alters how individuals can contest fine decisions. Additionally, the text was cleaned up to remove redundant section numbers and formatting artifacts from the legislative process.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding enforcement procedures changed by replacing a general appeal statute with a specific one, potentially altering the legal pathway for challenging administrative fines.
ENFORCEMENT

The appeal process for administrative fines was changed from the general RSA 541 procedure to a specific new procedure under RSA 21-O:11, IV.

TECHNICAL

Redundant section numbering and formatting artifacts were removed to finalize the text for publication.

The document header was updated to reflect the final chapter number (185) and session date.

Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
8
Committee
7
Amendments
2
Jun 24, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor on 06/19/2026; Chapter 185; Effective 08/18/2026
upper
May 14, 2026
Introduced
Sen. Avard Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
upper
May 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1661h: MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 7
lower
May 7, 2026
Introduced
Amendment # 2026-1661h: AA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 7
lower
Apr 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1661h 04/28/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 18 P. 6
lower
Apr 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Full Committee Work Session: 04/28/2026 10:00 am GP 153
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Full Committee Work Session: 04/14/2026 01:30 pm GP 153
lower
Mar 27, 2026
Introduced
Introduced (in recess of) 03/26/2026 and referred to Environment and Agriculture HJ 9 P. 54
lower
Mar 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment # 2026-1126s, AA, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1126s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1126s, 03/26/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
upper
Nov 21, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 1
upper
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors

Sponsors