Environment

in committee · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1585: relative to environmental, social, and governance-related investment strategies by the state retirement system.

HB 1585 requires New Hampshire's state and local public retirement systems to prioritize only financial factors when making investment decisions, excluding environmental, social, or political considerations. The bill directly affects retirement systems managing state pension funds, mandating that fiduciaries (like investment managers) act solely in the financial interest of participants and beneficiaries. Key provisions prohibit considering factors such as climate policies (e.g., restricting fossil fuel investments), diversity criteria, abortion access, or firearm industry engagement when managing assets. The law explicitly states that investment decisions must not be influenced by "environmental, social, political, or ideological interests," even if tied to corporate practices. This shifts focus entirely to financial returns and risk, eliminating ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) criteria from retirement fund strategies.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentProhibits retirement systems from considering environmental factors in investments, removing environmental considerations from fiduciary duties.95% confidence

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1618: prohibiting solar radiation modification, weather modification, and other polluting atmospheric interventions.

HB 1618 prohibits solar radiation modification (SRM), weather modification, and other atmospheric interventions that release pollutants in New Hampshire. It directly affects any entity - government agencies, researchers, or private groups - conducting such activities within the state. The bill replaces existing law to ban these interventions, requires enforcement by county sheriffs or deputized citizens, and establishes penalties for violations. The key change is banning experiments involving chemical releases (like cloud seeding) that could harm air quality, health, or ecosystems, as outlined in the "Clean Air Preservation Act."

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits polluting atmospheric interventions, directly reducing environmental pollution and protecting natural resources per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Conservation

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signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 598: establishing the cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant fund task force.

SB 598 creates a task force to study sustainable funding options for New Hampshire's cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant fund, which addresses harmful algal blooms in water bodies. The task force - comprising legislative members, state department directors, and community representatives - will examine specific mechanisms like voluntary watercraft decals, license plate donations, redirecting septic application fees, and reallocating transportation drainage funds. It will not directly create funding but will explore these concrete options to support the existing fund. The task force must report its findings by November 1, 2026, to state leaders. This bill focuses solely on studying funding pathways, not implementing new policies.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates task force to study sustainable funding for cyanobacteria mitigation, addressing harmful algal blooms in water bodies, directly supporting environmental protection efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 539: relative to eligible biomass technology in the renewable portfolio standards.

SB 539 reclassifies all eligible biomass technologies under "Class III" for renewable energy compliance, replacing previous subcategories. It specifically affects existing biomass plants (under 25 MW or operating in Coos County by 2026) and landfill methane projects. The bill removes methane gas from Class III eligibility if landfill sites exceed 10 MW total capacity, requiring new landfill projects to meet strict size limits. This change streamlines eligibility rules but restricts certain methane sources from qualifying under the renewable portfolio standards.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyReclassifies biomass under renewable portfolio standards, streamlining eligibility for eligible projects while adding minor restrictions. Supports renewable energy compliance framework.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRefines renewable energy eligibility under RPS, promoting clean energy standards while restricting large landfill methane projects to maintain environmental integrity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Waste Management

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signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 644: requiring background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility owners.

SB 644 requires background checks for individuals seeking permits to operate solid waste and hazardous waste facilities in New Hampshire. Specifically, it mandates criminal history checks - including fingerprint-based national database searches - for owners, officers, directors, partners, and managers of these facilities during the permit application process. The law applies to all facility owners (including partners in partnerships and managers/members in LLCs) and covers both new permits and ownership transfers. These checks must be conducted through the state police and FBI databases, with applicants submitting authorization forms and fingerprints to the Department of Environmental Services.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBackground checks for waste facility operators prevent criminal misuse, reducing pollution risks and strengthening regulatory oversight of hazardous materials handling.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials Waste Management

failed · New Hampshire · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 1477: relative to the permitting and regulation of anchored seasonal floating platforms on public waters.

HB 1477 regulates seasonal floating platforms on New Hampshire's public waters by requiring permits for most users. It limits installation to adjacent shorefront property owners (with exceptions for government agencies and conservation groups conducting non-recreational work), mandates a $50 permit fee ($25 to the Navigation Safety Fund and $25 to the Cyanobacteria Mitigation Fund), and imposes a $100 fine plus 20% penalty for noncompliance. The bill directly affects recreational users of public waterways who currently place such platforms without permits. Key provisions include standardized identification requirements for platforms and exemptions for permitted conservation and government activities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds Cyanobacteria Mitigation Fund ($25/permit) addressing water pollution, directly supporting environmental protection through regulatory fees and pollution control measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 1303: authorizing municipalities to adopt zoning ordinances related to the protection, management, or replacement of tree canopy.

HB 1303 authorizes New Hampshire municipalities to adopt local zoning rules for protecting, managing, or replacing tree canopy. These rules could require developers to retain existing trees during construction, plant new trees when trees are removed, or set long-term goals for tree coverage in community planning. The bill gives municipalities the option to implement such rules but does not require them to do so. This policy change directly affects development projects and land use decisions in towns or cities that choose to adopt these provisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes municipalities to implement tree canopy protection, management, and replacement rules, directly conserving natural resources and enhancing urban environmental quality through zoning regulations.95% confidence

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 1691: relative to limitations and qualifications for land placed in current use.

HB 1691 (New Hampshire) limits eligibility for property tax assessments based on current agricultural or conservation use. It restricts qualifying land to 40 acres per lot in semi-rural zones, 10 acres in developed zones with conservation land requirements, and prohibits clear-cutting or invasive species. Municipalities must cap current use approvals at 75% of rural zones and 5% of high-density zones, while requiring sustainable practices like invasive species management and limiting chemical use. Violations trigger retroactive tax payments using "best and highest use" rates from the last compliance date. This affects landowners currently enrolled in New Hampshire's current use tax program.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill restricts property tax assessments for agricultural land, reducing tax breaks and increasing tax burden on qualifying landowners.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits clear-cutting/invasive species, mandates sustainable practices (invasive species management, chemical limits), aligning with environmental protection requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Conservation

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signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jun 8, 2026

SB 594: eliminating the use of agitators in instances where temporary docks have been removed from bodies of water.

SB 594 prohibits the use of devices that prevent natural ice formation (commonly called "agitators") when temporary docks are removed from water bodies. It directly affects property owners and dock managers who previously could use these devices during temporary dock removals. The bill amends state law to remove an exception that allowed such devices for temporary structures, requiring all ice-prevention devices to now comply with restrictions only for permanent structures. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits agitators that prevent natural ice formation, protecting aquatic ecosystems by eliminating devices disrupting natural ice processes during dock removals.92% confidence

passed · New Hampshire · House May 5, 2026

HB 1138: limiting the placement of out-of-state waste going into New Hampshire landfills.

HB 1138 limits how much out-of-state solid waste New Hampshire landfills can accept. It requires existing landfill operators (permit holders before 2026) to cap out-of-state waste at 30% of total waste by January 1, 2030. New landfills permitted after January 1, 2026, must limit out-of-state waste to 15% of total waste. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentLimits out-of-state waste in landfills, reducing transportation emissions and landfill strain, aligning with pollution control and resource conservation goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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