HB 219 phases out New Hampshire's minimum requirement for electricity providers to source a certain percentage of power from renewable sources. It mandates a 20% annual reduction in these renewable energy targets starting in 2026, fully eliminating the minimum standard by 2030. This directly affects electricity providers (including distribution companies, competitive suppliers, and community aggregators) who must meet these renewable sourcing requirements. The bill replaces the current standard with a structured 5-year phase-out, allowing utilities to offer 100% renewable power options to default service customers starting in 2026.
HB 1468 allows New Hampshire municipalities to voluntarily include flood resilience planning in their master plans, without imposing new state mandates or costs. The bill amends state law to require municipalities to identify flood risks and propose mitigation measures in their natural hazards sections (Section 2), and adds an optional coastal/inland flood resilience section addressing storm surge, riverine flooding, erosion, and infrastructure protection (Section 3). It also expands state housing planning grants to cover flood hazard mitigation and related land use updates. Municipalities may choose whether to adopt these provisions, with the law taking effect 60 days after passage.
HB 595 adds flood resiliency improvements to the definition of qualifying improvements for C-PACE and R-PACE funding, helping property owners finance flood mitigation measures. It enables municipalities to offer property tax abatements or freezes for flood resilience projects and to assess fees on properties in flood resilience zones to fund a non-lapsing flood resilience investment fund. The bill also appropriates $500,000 for a statewide analysis of flood risk mitigation costs and benefits. These provisions directly affect property owners in flood-prone areas and municipalities seeking to implement flood resilience programs.
HB 1536 prohibits non-electric vehicles and non-motorcycles from parking in spaces specifically marked for electric vehicles (for charging), mopeds, or motorcycles. It requires clear, visible signage meeting standard traffic sign requirements and imposes a $62 minimum fine for violations, with 20% of the fine going to the local town or city where the parking occurred. The law applies to all designated spaces on both public and private property, directly affecting drivers who park in these spots without authorization. This creates a consistent penalty structure to prioritize access for EVs and motorcycles in designated parking areas.
HB 1614 restricts the sale and use of coal tar-based sealants containing high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), harmful chemicals linked to environmental and health concerns. The law bans applying or selling these products on driveways and parking areas starting January 1, 2027, directly affecting homeowners, contractors, and sealant manufacturers. Exemptions are allowed only for research or development of alternatives, requiring written approval from the Department of Environmental Services. The bill has minimal fiscal impact, costing less than $10,000 annually for state agencies through 2029.
HB 1721 limits new renewable energy system enrollment under New Hampshire's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) program. It prohibits any new systems from joining after a six-month window following its effective date (July 1, 2026), restricting eligibility to systems operational before 2026. The bill caps renewable energy certificate (REC) eligibility at 20 years per system, with existing systems already over 15 years receiving up to five additional years of credits. It also requires the Department of Energy to annually reduce Alternative Compliance Payments (ACPs) as the number of eligible systems declines, directly affecting future RPS program funding.
HB 1002 repeals the property tax exemption for solar energy systems, meaning homeowners and businesses with solar installations will no longer be excluded from taxable property assessments. The bill removes specific tax code provisions (RSA 72:62 and related sections) that previously allowed solar systems to be valued separately for tax purposes. Starting April 1, 2027, solar energy systems will be included in standard property tax valuations, requiring owners to pay taxes on these systems as part of their property assessment. This change directly affects property owners who currently benefit from the exemption, shifting their tax obligation to align with standard property valuation practices.
HB 707 requires New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services to establish site-specific setback distances for new landfills from perennial rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. It mandates that setbacks must be calculated using a formula based on groundwater seepage velocity testing (conducted by an independent hydrogeologist) and must be at least 3,000 feet or the 5-year groundwater travel distance, whichever is greater. The bill directly affects developers seeking permits for new landfills by imposing these distance requirements to protect water sources from contamination. It also includes additional safeguards like 24/7 landfill staffing, restrictions on building near Superfund sites or existing landfills, and soil permeability standards. The law does not apply to expansions of currently operating landfills.
SB 226 suspends all new landfill permit applications until July 1, 2031, to allow for updated regulations and policies. It establishes a legislative committee to study the feasibility of waste incineration, including its environmental impacts and effects on landfill capacity. The suspension does not affect expansions or modifications of existing permitted landfills operating on sites with RCRA Subtitle D landfills as of December 1, 2022. The committee must report its findings and recommendations by November 1, 2025.
SB 27 allows owners of existing dwellings built over water (such as houseboats or structures on pilings) to repair, reconstruct, or improve them for maintenance or to meet current building codes without expanding the structure's footprint or increasing interior living space. It requires an approved sewage disposal system for any project and permits the commissioner to waive standard restrictions if the project enhances environmental protection without converting recreational use to residential activity or increasing the structure's size (while reducing kitchen/bathroom square footage). Routine maintenance not involving water work does not require a permit. This bill directly affects owners of existing water-based dwellings in New Hampshire.
