Committee Summary for House Environment and Agriculture (01/20/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1431 00:00:53.680 - 8:59:40 AM	General Working Session	restricting the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.	MacDonald, John(R)[B+]2025
HB1621 00:50:53.599 - 9:49:40 AM	General Working Session	requiring a baseline environmental impact study to be completed prior to development of certain manufacturing and storage facilities.	Perez, Kristine(R)[B+]2025
HB?(UNNAMED) 00:55:34.800 - 9:54:21 AM	General Working Session	requiring the state to develop additional solid waste disposal capacity	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
HB? 00:56:25.200 - 9:55:12 AM	General Working Session	Unclear	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
HB1274 01:07:16.160 - 10:06:03 AM	Public Hearing	relative to dog licenses.	Dargie, Paul(D)[F]2025
HB1153 01:20:35.199 - 10:19:22 AM	Public Hearing	relative to dog license fees and establishing a committee to study New Hampshire statutes relative to cats and dogs.	Bixby, Peter(D)[F]2025
HB1602 03:01:36.880 - 12:00:23 PM	Public Hearing	creating a safe battery recycling stewardship program.	Ebel, Karen(D)[F]2025
HB1789 05:26:03.920 - 2:24:50 PM	Public Hearing	relative to extended producer responsibility.	Parshall, Lucius(D)[F]2025
Unclear 06:02:25.840 - 3:01:12 PM	General Working Session	Unclear

HB1431: Chair (unnamed) Information Only00:00:53.680 - 8:59:40 AM; The chair opens the work session, reminds committee members to listen respectfully without arguing or badgering witnesses, apologizes for past uncomfortable situations, and invites discussion on HB 1431 and related HB 1086.
HB1431: Representative Bixby Support00:03:56.000 - 9:02:43 AM; Highlights environmental harms of neonicotinoids on pollinators, soil arthropods, aquatic invertebrates, and cyanobacteria blooms; notes impacts on soil health, drought resistance, and tourism. Cites Quebec's ban with no yield impact, suggests no need for waivers, allows targeted spray applications for farmers and foresters, and recommends amendments to advance both bills.
HB1431: Unnamed Representative (discussing RSAs) Oppose00:07:45.440 - 9:06:32 AM; Notes bills overlap with Pesticide Control Board's authority under RSAs 430:30 and 430:1; suggests interim study instead of ITL, and writing a letter to the board to restrict pesticides via rules, addressing concerns comprehensively. Distinguishes oversight for seeds (Department of Regulatory Services) vs. pesticides (Pesticide Control Board).
HB1431: Representative Bixby (response) Support00:09:30.080 - 9:08:17 AM; Argues waivers are rare (e.g., few in New York, none in Quebec), so cost not justified; supports legislative ban on neonic seeds without waivers.
HB1431: Unnamed Representative (on seeds) Information Only00:10:49.200 - 9:09:36 AM; Clarifies seeds under Department of Regulatory Services, not Pesticide Control Board, so board can't address seeds.
HB1431: Representative Compt (or Comto) Support00:11:59.839 - 9:10:46 AM; Agrees bills handled separately due to agencies; notes board already discussing neonics, no need for interim study; for HB 1086, discusses low usage (e.g., 15 acres wheat, 916 acres soybeans); wants info from seed companies on alternatives in Quebec, New York, Vermont, including costs and timelines to avoid inhibiting food production while protecting soil and water.
HB1431: Claus Bush, Nutrient A Solutions Oppose00:16:12.720 - 9:14:59 AM; Neonics essential for below-ground pests like seed corn maggot, wireworms, grubs in corn; seed treatments targeted, alternatives lead to more broad-spectrum insecticides, risking crop failure and farm livelihoods, especially for dairy-feeding corn; notes closed planting system minimizes exposure; Quebec differences may not apply due to cover crops increasing pests.
HB1431: Representative Bixby (Q&A) Support00:18:25.679 - 9:17:12 AM; Asks about non-treated or diamide-treated seeds; emphasizes neonic runoff harms soil and water; notes Quebec's success without yield loss, questions availability for NH farmers as in Quebec, New York, Vermont.
HB1431: Claus Bush (response) Oppose00:19:44.640 - 9:18:31 AM; Non-treated seeds available but not bought; unsure on diamides; reiterates neonics' importance for pests, closed system limits exposure; removing treatments increases other pesticide use, risks stand loss and replanting in tight NH windows.
HB1431: Representative Sophocitis Information Only00:23:00.720 - 9:21:47 AM; Clarifies seeds not in closed system as ground is porous, leading to groundwater leakage; notes biotech seeds only for licensed growers; aims to restrict from public stores.
HB1431: Representative Miner Information Only00:24:10.240 - 9:22:57 AM; Questions Quebec's success with untreated seeds and crop yields.
HB1431: Claus Bush (further response) Oppose00:25:10.720 - 9:23:57 AM; Northeast cover crops attract below-ground insects, making seed treatments crucial; neonics mainly for corn, not wheat; Quebec may differ in cover crop use.
HB1431: Representative Haskins Support00:26:25.360 - 9:25:12 AM; Acknowledges learning curve; argues against toxins in environment despite usage arguments; when we know better, we do better.
HB1431: Representative Germana Information Only00:26:25.360 - 9:25:12 AM; Supports interim study for HB 1431 to work with board, but concerned board follows EPA; prefers quicker action via board over legislative delays.
HB1431: Unnamed Representative (on NY) Support00:28:32.080 - 9:27:19 AM; Notes New York's 2023 neonic ban shapes market, seeds available regionally; Quebec data shows no increased dangerous chemical use, supports seed ban via diamides and IPM.
HB1431: Representative Patenza Support00:29:39.039 - 9:28:26 AM; Climate similar to NY; cites NY's Birds and Bees Act (effective 2029), Cornell research showing positive outcomes (insect/bird recovery); supports seed ban (HB 1086), directs board for HB 1431 without study; notes regional farming research.
HB1431: Representative King Support00:33:55.840 - 9:32:42 AM; Supports both with amendments: remove felony penalty for HB 1431, eliminate waivers for HB 1086; prefers legislative rules over executive; ecological concerns of inert soil from pesticides disadvantages organic farmers; sympathetic to conventional farmers but path is dangerous.
HB1431: Representative Bixby (pest ranges) Support00:39:04.640 - 9:37:51 AM; Wireworms and white grubs present in Quebec, their methods work without neonics.
HB1431: Representative KTO Oppose00:40:02.960 - 9:38:49 AM; Takes exception to organic vs. synthetic comparison; organic pesticides can be more harmful (e.g., sulfur/copper in orchards); farmers engaged via Farm Bureau; respects choices.
HB1431: Representative Germana (farmers) Information Only00:41:12.800 - 9:39:59 AM; Notes most farmer testimony last week favored seed ban; issue of leeching affects property rights beyond farm boundaries.
HB1431: Representative Scully Information Only00:42:08.400 - 9:40:55 AM; Concerns justified but passion not expertise; defer to qualified Pesticide Control Board to avoid unintended consequences of bans.
HB1431: Representative Safikitis (to Russo) Information Only00:43:18.160 - 9:42:05 AM; Inquires on board vacancies, meetings, minutes posting; asks if board can act quickly on neonic issue.
HB1431: David Russo, Division of Pesticide Control Information Only00:43:18.160 - 9:42:05 AM; Board has vacancies but meets regularly with quorum; minutes available on request, could post; believes board can move quickly (12-16 months rulemaking); issue current, subcommittee met with sponsor; board considers state constituents over just EPA; additional issues like residential turf use not fully in bill.
HB1431: Representative Howard Support00:48:45.280 - 9:47:32 AM; Work with board on rules safer than legislation; board expertise less influenced by business lobbies.
HB1431: Representative Patenza (to board) Support00:48:45.280 - 9:47:32 AM; Board diverse (13 members per statute); legislature sets policy, board details rules collaboratively; prevents future administrations undoing work.
HB1431: Representative Miner Information Only00:50:53.599 - 9:49:40 AM; Notes legislature granted board authority.
HB1621: Representative Bixby Support00:50:53.599 - 9:49:40 AM; Supports baseline study concept but criticizes size-based limits; suggests amendment needed, offers to work on it.
HB1621: Representative KTO Information Only00:52:01.680 - 9:50:48 AM; Notes discussions last week on questions/concerns; bill not ready, suggests subcommittee.
HB1621: Representative Germana Support00:52:01.680 - 9:50:48 AM; Amendment needed focusing on usage/materials over size; offers to collaborate on amendment/subcommittee.
HB1621: Representative Patenza Information Only00:54:46.319 - 9:53:33 AM; Inquires about subbing into environmental policy subcommittee.
HB1621: Chair Information Only00:54:00.240 - 9:52:47 AM; Refers to environmental policy subcommittee (Bixby, Wheeler, Scully, King, Freeman); all welcome; send to subcommittee for amendment due to timeline.
HB?(UNNAMED): Representative Haskins Support00:55:34.800 - 9:54:21 AM; Bill aims to assess brownfields, closed/open landfills at low cost to verify claims of no alternatives to Dalton landfill; evaluate factors like acreage, distance to airports/schools.
HB?: Unidentified Speaker Information Only00:56:25.200 - 9:55:12 AM; Discusses amending fiscal notes for bills, noting that amendments must be done by the department with LBA, and explains the high cost of $28 million due to extensive studies required by the original bill wording.
HB?: Representative Bixby Support00:57:41.680 - 9:56:28 AM; Argues that the committee should not be impeded by the original fiscal note when considering amendments, citing precedents where bills passed after changes eliminated costs, and suggests rewriting for a simple paper survey instead of in-depth analysis.
HB?: Representative Gruber Support00:59:00.079 - 9:57:47 AM; Offers to work with Representative Haskins on amendments, drawing from experience with landfill screening in Vermont, and proposes a paper survey with core screening criteria like distance from water bodies and transportation impacts to avoid misleading developers without expensive testing.
HB?: Representative Patenza Support01:01:09.040 - 9:59:56 AM; Agrees the bill is meant for an inventory using simple tools like Google Earth, not detailed checks, and shares that preliminary work has pulled 80% of data from public sources for a public spreadsheet.
HB?: Representative Howard Support01:02:10.240 - 10:00:57 AM; Notes the director mentioned necessary updates to parameters like property size, suggesting limited expense for collecting and updating existing information.
HB?: Representative KTO Information Only01:02:10.240 - 10:00:57 AM; Acknowledges good intentions but urges considering amendments to exclude municipally owned sites and developed lands, emphasizing the need to determine availability and narrow scope to make it reasonable for the department.
HB?: Representative Scully Support01:03:16.079 - 10:02:03 AM; Supports creating an inventory list and suggests further steps if promising locations are found, but strongly opposes the bill's second part requiring proof no other site is suitable, recommending its removal and focusing on a useful inventory.
HB1274: Representative Paul Dargy, Milford Support01:07:16.160 - 10:06:03 AM; Introduces HB 1274 to correct fee errors from HB 1626, which aimed to shift 25 cents from companion animal control to the veterinary diagnostic lab without changing total fees. Details missing adjustments: puppy/neutered fee from $4.50 to $4.75, unneutered from $7 to $7.25, elderly first dog from $1.75 to $2. Explains lost revenue impact, estimating $210,000 statewide annually.
HB1274: Chair Information Only01:10:49.679 - 10:09:36 AM; Notes complaints from municipalities about losing 25 cents per license and mentions a prior bill killed in committee of conference; inquires about group licenses.
HB1274: Representative Paul Dargy, Milford Information Only01:12:00.800 - 10:10:47 AM; Clarifies the bill affects sections 1 and 2 of RSA 466:4, not section 3 on multiple dogs, so group licenses unchanged; considered but omitted raising group rates as it's a separate issue with few instances.
HB1274: Daniel Healey, Nashua City Clerk, NH City and Town Clerks Association Support01:13:24.480 - 10:12:11 AM; Supports the bill to fix unintentional changes from HB 1626, which complicated implementation mid-year for clerks. Nashua has 11,000 dogs, losing about $2,700 annually; notes group licenses unaffected and some municipalities add up to $1 extra per RSA 466:39.
HB1274: Chair Information Only01:16:31.440 - 10:15:18 AM; References committee research report on fees and confirms the issue stemmed from miscalculation in Representative Maguire's bill reallocating funds.
HB1274: Daniel Healey, Nashua City Clerk Information Only01:16:31.440 - 10:15:18 AM; Explains inquiry confirmed rates weren't supposed to change, but post-passage review showed misalignment.
HB1274: Representative Bixby, Dover Support01:17:39.120 - 10:16:26 AM; Notes the bill doesn't affect group licenses, raised by a constituent, and admits his similar bill has math errors while Dargy's is correct; supports passage of Dargy's version.
HB1274: Representative King Information Only01:18:37.440 - 10:17:24 AM; Asks if Representative Bixby supports passing the bill as is or needs amendment.
HB1274: Representative Bixby, Dover Information Only01:18:37.440 - 10:17:24 AM; Suggests discussing how to combine with his bill, possibly via amendment or passing separately and amending his to focus on study.
HB1153: Representative Peter Bixby, Dover Support01:20:35.199 - 10:19:22 AM; Introduces HB 1153 to fix 2024 error shifting 25 cents from spay/neuter fund to veterinary lab due to convoluted RSA 466 structure, and proposes a study committee to review the chapter for clarity and outdated elements like kennel info superseded by pet vendor laws. Suggests amending to remove fee fix and keep as study bill, preferring Dargy's fee correction.
HB1153: Chair Information Only01:24:07.440 - 10:22:54 AM; Acknowledges RSA 466's complexity and questions feasibility of study committee amid time constraints, suggesting informal subcommittee instead.
HB1153: Representative Bixby, Dover Support01:26:45.440 - 10:25:32 AM; Advocates for study committee with 3 reps and 1 senator for efficiency, offers to serve, and notes it would be policy-neutral, focusing on clarity without changing fairness issues like group licenses.
HB1153: Representative KTO Support01:27:58.719 - 10:26:45 AM; Supports study committee for diverse input, efficiency in discussing with departments and stakeholders, citing past experience.
HB1153: Representative Bixby, Dover Information Only01:29:03.120 - 10:27:50 AM; Emphasizes working with departments and stakeholders; clarifies study is policy-neutral.
HB1153: Representative Comto Support01:30:16.880 - 10:29:03 AM; Volunteers to serve on the study committee.
HB1153: Representative Bixby, Dover Information Only01:30:16.880 - 10:29:03 AM; Plans amendment to strip fee fix and make bill study-only.
HB1602: Representative Karen Ewell, Merrimack District 7 Support03:01:36.880 - 12:00:23 PM; Introduces HB 1602, a bipartisan bill with stakeholder support, building on 2025 lithium battery ban to establish a manufacturer-funded stewardship program for safe collection and recycling of portable rechargeable batteries. Highlights fire risks, national trend (19 states considering similar), no state cost, expands to all batteries of certain size, allows retailer collection, and notes solid waste working group endorsement.
HB1602: Representative Karen Ewell, Merrimack District 7 Support03:11:13.680 - 12:10:00 PM; Representative Ewell continues her testimony emphasizing the bill's goals to divert toxic waste from landfills, promote recycling, and address the heavy weight and environmental risks of batteries, including exploding batteries in landfills that can contaminate leachate. She highlights broad support from battery manufacturers, BIA, Waste Management, and Casella, noting it's a business-oriented bill driven by manufacturers wanting to reclaim minerals. She stresses benefits to municipalities through free programs, cost savings on property taxes, and safety improvements, urging the committee to support this bipartisan bill.
HB1602: Mark Boullish, Executive Director, Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA) Support03:27:25.040 - 12:26:12 PM; Mark Boullish introduces PRBA, representing stakeholders in the battery industry from mining to recycling. He strongly supports HB 1602, which mirrors their model bill used in seven states and DC, with 19 more considering it. The bill provides a free, convenient program for small batteries, reimburses local governments for costs, includes state oversight, and offers limited antitrust waiver for program development. He addresses recycling processes, consumer impacts (fractional costs built into products), participating states, and why batteries can't go in mixed recycling due to fire risks. He explains voluntary programs' limitations and how the bill ensures all producers participate without competitive disadvantages.
HB1602: Cynthia Walter, Science Professor, New Hampshire Resident Support03:55:35.439 - 12:54:22 PM; Cynthia Walter, with 35 years in pollution research, supports the stewardship program despite cautions raised. She cites data showing 493 tons of batteries in municipal waste annually, expected to increase, and notes voluntary programs and municipal collections are insufficient due to time and labor costs. Batteries contain highly toxic substances like beryllium and thallium, exceeding hazardous waste thresholds, leading to landfill leaks and air pollution via incineration. Costs for handling hazardous waste have risen 45%, burdening municipalities and taxpayers. The program enables safe recovery of valuable minerals, reduces reliance on foreign mining, and creates jobs in New Hampshire for recycling, positioning the state advantageously.
HB1602: Daniel Zodto, Director of State Public Policy and Advocacy, Redwood Materials Oppose04:00:55.359 - 12:59:42 PM; Daniel Zodto from Redwood Materials, the largest lithium-ion battery recycler in North America, opposes HB 1602 as drafted but supports legislation on the issue. They recognize fire safety and critical minerals concerns but argue the bill's traditional EPR approach prohibits direct consumer collection by recyclers like theirs, requiring forfeiture of materials to stewardship organizations. They advocate for a hybrid model allowing flexibility for American recyclers to access feedstocks directly, emphasizing their free, frictionless collection programs, high recovery rates (up to 95%), and environmental benefits of domestic processing. They offer amendments, including redlines submitted, to enable collaboration without one-size-fits-all restrictions, noting batteries have positive end-of-life value unlike other EPR products.
HB1602: Nate Graves, Business and Industry Association (BIA) Support04:26:21.199 - 1:25:08 PM; Nate Graves from BIA, the statewide Chamber of Commerce, supports HB 1602 as an industry-created, supported, and run initiative to reduce solid waste. He emphasizes the ban on lithium-ion batteries in landfills due to fire risks, costs, and environmental impacts, as testified previously. With industry stepping up to solve this, BIA backs the bill, including the antitrust waiver for recycling purposes, and is open to technical amendments to address concerns.
HB1602: Reagan Besonette, Executive Director, New Hampshire Recycles Information Only04:28:29.600 - 1:27:16 PM; Reagan Besonette provides information on lithium-ion battery challenges impacting communities, without taking a position on HB 1602. She highlights increasing fires from improper disposal, including incidents in Keene (over $400,000 damage), Lee, a private recycler in Weare, and Pelham from e-bike batteries in scrap metal. A national scrap metal company now fines municipalities over $16,000 in two years for batteries in loads. While recycling costs are manageable, fires pose safety risks and rising expenses. Legislation easing proper recycling could help municipalities. They are hosting safety summits with DES and Fire Marshal's Office for training on education and fire response.
HB1602: Christine Babber, Dover Support04:33:05.278 - 1:31:52 PM; Christine Babber from Dover expressed appreciation for the committee's work on ensuring safe and responsible battery recycling to prevent dangerous fires and preserve valuable resources. She highlighted the bill's broad support and its potential to prevent fire risks, injuries, deaths, and property destruction. She noted the dangers of batteries being crushed or punctured when mixed with paper and plastics, emphasizing that this is a critical issue close to home in Lee, near Dover. While suggesting possible tweaks based on testimony, she believed the bill provides strong policy for a safer New Hampshire and urged an 'ought to pass' vote, quoting the sponsor Representative Ebo.
HB1602: Garrett Trweiler, Director of Public Affairs, Waste Management Support04:35:44.320 - 1:34:31 PM; Garrett Trweiler from Waste Management strongly supported HB 1602, noting their operations in New Hampshire including a landfill in Rochester, a MRF, transfer stations, and collection vehicles. He emphasized the benefits of product stewardship for hard-to-manage materials like batteries, especially lithium-ion due to fire risks. He referenced a national report estimating 5,000 annual fires in transfer stations and shared specific incidents: a 2023 fire at Rochester MRF causing major damage, a fire at Laconia transfer station, and a 2004 fire in Avon, MA with millions in damage and lost revenue. He advocated for passing the bill to remove these materials from the waste stream, supported by a great coalition. During questioning, he explained fires often occur in recycling facilities and transfer stations when batteries are punctured by machinery or exposed to water, less so in direct-to-landfill hauls but possible in trucks. He noted no specific data on battery impacts in landfills but would check. On the recent lithium ban effective July 1, 2025, he supported it as a first step but stressed the need for more education, which an EPR program could enhance.
HB1602: Michael Norc, New Hampshire DES Information Only04:42:21.280 - 1:41:08 PM; Michael Norc from New Hampshire DES began his testimony, but no further details were provided in the transcript.
HB1602: Michael Norc, New Hampshire DES Information Only04:42:32.080 - 1:41:19 PM; Michael Norc from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services provides neutral information on HB 1602. He highlights safety concerns with battery disposal, noting the existing ban on lithium batteries in landfills and incinerators effective July 1, 2025, but compliance varies by municipality, leading to uneven enforcement and high recycling costs. The bill would expand coverage to include alkaline batteries and others, aligning with state goals for diversion, recycling, and waste stream toxicity reduction. It could lower municipal costs and improve resident access to recycling. Norc confirms the bill allows multiple stewardship organizations, including potentially Redwood Materials. During Q&A, he discusses challenges in 100% compliance, risks of batteries entering incinerators and releasing toxics despite pollution controls, and the bill's inclusion of all battery types (lithium, lithium-ion, alkaline, etc.) to simplify consumer recycling, with plans detailing processors like Redwood and Veolia.
HB1602: Adam Schmidt, lobbyist for New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs Support04:49:42.480 - 1:48:29 PM; Adam Schmidt, lobbyist for the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs, expresses full support for HB 1602, emphasizing the need for a structured program to address fire risks from batteries. He submits written testimony supporting efforts to mitigate these dangers.
HB1602: Jason Lyon, New London Fire Department, past president of NH Association of Fire Chiefs Support04:49:42.480 - 1:48:29 PM; Jason Lyon from the New London Fire Department supports HB 1602, highlighting increasing fire incidents from batteries as technology shifts to battery-powered devices. He notes underreported fires due to undetermined causes, citing a recent building fire near a charging station where the exact cause couldn't be pinpointed by the State Fire Marshal or insurance. He stresses the importance of the bill in addressing battery disposal post-ban, providing education and safe options for residents to prevent improper disposal and reduce fire risks in the waste stream.
HB1602: Matt Ley, Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests Support04:53:16.878 - 1:52:03 PM; Matt Ley, Public Policy Director for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, submits a joint letter of support from multiple environmental groups including The Nature Conservancy, Appalachian Mountain Club, Conservation Law Foundation, Collaborative Solid Waste Strategies, New Hampshire Lakes Association, and others. The groups endorse the bill to reduce toxic waste in the waste stream, benefiting the environment, public health, water, air, and soil. He offers to answer questions on the letter.
HB1602: Representative Lucius Parshell, Marlow and Cheshire District 8 Support05:02:57.040 - 2:01:44 PM; Representative Lucius Parshell introduces HB 1789, relative to extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging. He advocates for EPR to shift financial burdens from municipalities and taxpayers to producers, increasing recycling rates by up to 48%, ensuring universal access, and incentivizing sustainable packaging design through eco-modulation. He notes the bill's origins from a two-year study committee and adjustments to reduce state involvement, drawing from models like Colorado's industry-led approach. Parshell argues for urgency due to overflowing landfills and compares it to turning off the tap in an overflowing bathtub, focusing on packaging as a major waste issue rather than piecemeal sector approaches. During Q&A, he discusses changes since introduction, lessons from Maine's ongoing tweaks, benefits over market-driven changes, and potential amendments for toxic substance prohibitions.
HB1602: Michael Norc, New Hampshire DES Information Only05:21:01.520 - 2:19:48 PM; Michael Norc from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services provides neutral testimony on HB 1789. The department takes no position but raises concerns about implementation complexity, noting that even after 5+ years, only Oregon has started fee collection among states like Maine and Colorado. New Hampshire lacks EPR experience, unlike states that built from smaller programs. Implementing this broad EPR would require significant resources beyond current departmental capacity, with reimbursement delayed years into the program.
HB1789: Andrew Hackman, representing AMPAC and Flexible Packaging Association Oppose05:26:03.920 - 2:24:50 PM; Andrew Hackman testified in opposition to HB 1789, drawing from his experience in seven states with EPR laws. He emphasized that those states began with needs assessments to understand infrastructure and goals, whereas HB 1789 jumps ahead with unsubstantiated mandatory targets like 30-50% source reduction and 30-70% recycling rates within 12 years, which exceed realistic projections of 3-5% annual source reduction. He criticized the government-run model with all funds in a state account, risking raids during budget shortfalls, unlike shared responsibility models in other states like Oregon where producers pay about 27% of costs. Hackman highlighted concerns over chemical restrictions without distinguishing intentionally added vs. contained substances, potentially banning essential materials like those in water bottles. He opposed the new Office of Inspector General as unprecedented and suggested alternatives like incentives and landfill bans to improve recycling without overhauling the system.
HB1789: Susan Richmond, Durham, member of Durham's Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee Support05:38:36.958 - 2:37:23 PM; Susan Richmond presented a petition with 63 signatures supporting EPR and testified in favor of HB 1789 to address rising recycling costs and low success rates in waste reduction. She noted that packaging constitutes 28.1% of municipal solid waste and 20.9% of landfill capacity per EPA data, urging action before 2030 goals. Richmond argued EPR would incentivize producers to use less packaging, make it recyclable, and incorporate recycled materials, while reducing municipal disposal costs. She debunked myths about recycling promoted by the fossil fuel industry, highlighting that only 5-10% of plastics are recycled, and emphasized EPR's benefits like tripling recycling rates, reducing emissions, and providing stable funding shielded from market fluctuations. She advocated for transparency in labeling and attached Beyond Plastics' requirements for effective policies, stressing the need to start now despite the bill's scope.
HB1789: Cynthia Walter, Dover, New Hampshire Dover Group Support05:45:46.798 - 2:44:33 PM; Cynthia Walter focused on the toxics component of HB 1789, advocating for its integration into existing New Hampshire toxics in packaging laws from 1990, which limit heavy metals but have loopholes for post-consumer recycled materials allowing up to 47,000 pounds of toxics annually into waste streams. She supported adding PFAS and phthalates and closing loopholes, citing the Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse recommendations. Walter highlighted untracked toxics in plastics and mixed materials that act as endocrine disruptors and carcinogens, emphasizing the bill's provisions for listing substances of concern and ensuring supervision by producer responsibility organizations. She warned against recycled content loopholes leading to re-toxification, especially in children's food packaging, and promoted New Hampshire-sourced cardboard from wood waste as a safe, compostable alternative to plastics, creating economic and environmental wins.
HB1789: Christine Bab, Dover Support05:54:12.320 - 2:52:59 PM; Christine Bab, with eight years working on plastics reduction in New Hampshire, supported HB 1789 for shifting financial and operational burdens of packaging waste from taxpayers and municipalities to producers. She noted the bill incentivizes manufacturers to develop less wasteful, less toxic products, aligning with the 2022 New Hampshire Solid Waste Management Plan's goals of source reduction and toxicity reduction in the waste stream.
HB1789: Christine Bab, Dover Support05:54:12.320 - 2:52:59 PM; Christine Bab discussed the benefits of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging in New Hampshire. She explained that EPR reduces costs for taxpayers and municipalities by shifting the burden from consumers, who currently pay multiple times for packaging waste. EPR incentivizes companies to design sustainable packaging, educates on reduction, reuse, and recycling, and improves recycling infrastructure. She addressed concerns about cost increases, citing studies showing minimal impact on consumer prices, such as a 0.69% estimate from Columbia University and no correlation found in Canadian jurisdictions. Locally, similar policies could save New Hampshire millions, like the $16 million estimated for Maine. Additionally, EPR would create jobs, stimulate the local economy, and protect health and the environment by reducing waste in landfills and incineration.
HB1789: Unknown Speaker Support05:55:50.320 - 2:54:37 PM; The speaker continued emphasizing the benefits of EPR, building on the discussion of toxics. They highlighted how EPR reduces taxpayer and municipal costs, as consumers pay three times under the current system: for packaging, collection, and indirect health costs from pollution. EPR cuts wasteful packaging, incentivizes sustainable designs for cost savings, and includes education on responsible practices for packaging reduction, reuse, recycling, or disposal. It also enhances recycling infrastructure.
HB1789: Unknown Speaker Information Only05:56:44.000 - 2:55:31 PM; The speaker addressed concerns about EPR raising consumer costs, referencing a 2022 Columbia University analysis estimating only a 0.69% impact. They cited an Oregon Department of Environmental Quality study comparing prices in EPR and non-EPR Canadian jurisdictions, finding no correlation with higher prices.
HB1789: Unknown Speaker Support05:57:33.120 - 2:56:20 PM; The speaker referenced the Conservation Law Foundation and Natural Resources Council of Maine, asserting no credible data shows EPR raises consumer prices. They estimated Maine could save municipal taxpayers at least $16 million annually, suggesting similar savings for New Hampshire.
HB1789: Unknown Speaker Support05:58:26.878 - 2:57:13 PM; The speaker concluded that beyond cost savings, EPR would create jobs across skill levels, stimulate local economies, and protect health and the environment by reducing landfill and incineration waste, preventing harmful pollution.
HB1789: Unknown Speaker Support05:59:16.480 - 2:58:03 PM; This appears to be a continuation or overlap, reiterating EPR's environmental and health protections by decreasing waste in landfills and incineration, preventing harmful impacts.
HB1789: Unknown Speaker Support06:00:07.440 - 2:58:54 PM; The speaker explains that EPR will prevent harmful chemicals from entering air, water, and soil, decrease overall waste, incentivize manufacturers to design recyclable products, educate the public on reduction, reuse, and recycling, and encourage consistent recycling infrastructure statewide, ensuring that recyclable products are truly recyclable.
HB1789: Unknown Speaker Support06:01:00.718 - 2:59:47 PM; The speaker states that the bill provides strong, effective policy benefiting New Hampshire and its residents, urges the committee to vote ought to pass or improve the bill to achieve waste reduction goals.
Unclear: Chair Information Only06:02:25.840 - 3:01:12 PM; The chair closes the hearing on HB 1789, notes testimony counts: four in favor and six opposed in person, 71 in support, six in opposition, and two neutral online. Announces the next meeting on Tuesday the 27th at 10 a.m. for a work session to discuss bills heard so far, followed by other hearings, and mentions working on subsequent scheduling.
Unclear: Chair Information Only06:03:19.840 - 3:02:06 PM; The chair confirms the schedule for next Tuesday: work session at 10 a.m., solid waste subcommittee at 9 a.m., and environmental policy subcommittee at 2 p.m. to discuss the baseline study and potential landfill sites. Asks if there are questions for the good of the committee.
Unclear: Committee Member Information Only06:04:13.920 - 3:03:00 PM; Reminds that the solid waste subcommittee will meet at 9 a.m. next Tuesday and the environmental policy subcommittee at 2:00 p.m. to discuss bills from that morning.

Aron, Judy(Chairman)(R)[A-]2025	King, Seth(Clerk)(R)[B+]2025	Barbour, Liz(V Chairman)(R)[B+]2025
Gruber, James(D)[F]2025	Bixby, Peter(D)[F]2025	Sofikitis, Catherine(D)[D-]2025
Freeman, Lisa(R)[B+]2025	Comtois, Barbara(R)[B+]2025	Scully, Kevin(R)[A-]2025
Howard, Molly(D)[D]2025	Wheeler, Jonah(D)[D-]2025	Haskins, Linda(D)[F]2025
Potenza, Kelley(R)[A]2025	Kenny, Catherine(R)[B]2025	Germana, Nicholas(D)[F]2025
Miner, Laurence(R)[B]2025