Committee Summary for House Public Works and Highways (01/27/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB2026 00:05:16.320 - 9:03:37 AM	General Working Session	relative to the state 10-year transportation improvement plan.	Milz, David(R)[B]2025
HB1810 03:20:33.760 - 12:18:54 PM	General Working Session	relative to a road salt fee to support certified winter road maintenance practices.	Darby, Will(D)[CT]2025

HB2026: Chairman (Rep. Mills) Information Only00:05:16.320 - 9:03:37 AM; The chairman calls the work session to order and outlines options for the 10-year plan, including passing the original plan (short $400M, cut $300M), adding $255M in full, or adding 11 of 13 projects ($22.5M) excluding Manchester exits ($200M+). Emphasizes no rush due to pending Senate toll increase bill. Invites DOT for updates.
HB2026: DOT Representative Information Only00:06:58.400 - 9:05:19 AM; Confirms original shortfall $400M, cuts $300M. Notes $230M turnpike projects lack revenue, posing financial constraint issues. Senate bill could address this. Adding $22.5M for 11 projects has minor fiscal impact, remains constrained, responsive to public feedback and regional planners. One new project is Enfield intersection.
HB2026: Rep. Bow Information Only00:11:32.720 - 9:09:53 AM; Asks about Senate toll increase revenue ($55M annually) and its effect on the plan. Confirms it would impact the 10-year plan.
HB2026: Rep. Jack Information Only00:11:32.720 - 9:09:53 AM; Seeks confirmation that adding $22M keeps the plan fiscally constrained for STIP submission.
HB2026: Chairman (Rep. Mills) Information Only00:12:30.880 - 9:10:51 AM; Notes not all projects use highway funds, e.g., $4M Balsams golf course funded separately via bonds since 2016. Declines to advance its date. References page 51, item 40518.
HB2026: Rep. Bogurt Information Only00:14:47.360 - 9:13:08 AM; Questions why non-DOT funded items like Balsams are in the plan if legislatively approved separately.
HB2026: DOT (William Cass, Commissioner) Information Only00:14:47.360 - 9:13:08 AM; Explains inclusion for transparency, DOT scheduling, resource assignment, and legislative authorization. Notes conditions on funding.
HB2026: Rep. Rockmore Information Only00:15:50.079 - 9:14:11 AM; Expresses concern about excluding costly Manchester projects despite necessity, asks about future funding hopes.
HB2026: DOT (Toby Reynolds) Information Only00:16:51.680 - 9:15:12 AM; Acknowledges need for Manchester projects for safety, capacity, economic development. Requires revenue enhancement like toll increase. Senate bill could enable; GASA process didn't support earlier. If funded, frees $75M federal funds for other projects like Red List bridges in Bow/Concord.
HB2026: Chairman (Rep. Mills) Information Only00:20:16.320 - 9:18:37 AM; Confirms DOT can identify projects from deferred list in appendix before final vote, balancing regions like north/west to offset central toll focus.
HB2026: Rep. Cludia Information Only00:22:22.960 - 9:20:43 AM; Asks for absolute reporting deadline for the 10-year plan.
HB2026: Rep. Brown Information Only00:23:16.640 - 9:21:37 AM; Requests prioritized list of projects for $55M toll revenue to aid voting on Senate bill. Notes $75M freed but prioritization needed.
HB2026: DOT Information Only00:24:13.039 - 9:22:34 AM; Agrees to provide prioritized list by next Tuesday work session.
HB2026: Rep. Edgar Information Only00:24:13.039 - 9:22:34 AM; Seeks clarification on how $55M tolls free up other money.
HB2026: DOT Information Only00:25:06.159 - 9:23:27 AM; Explains $55M/year ($550M over 10 years) funds Manchester/Bow-Concord. Frees $75M federal for Red List bridges if turnpike funds cover them.
HB2026: Chairman (Rep. Mills) Information Only00:27:13.919 - 9:25:34 AM; Notes target date March 17th for execution, possibly holding for toll bill.
HB2026: Rep. Faulner Information Only00:28:01.600 - 9:26:22 AM; Suggests alternative committee reports: one without toll increase, one with. Asks if House votes on Senate bill before final 10-year plan vote.
HB2026: Chairman (Rep. Mills) Information Only00:28:56.320 - 9:27:17 AM; Uncertainty on Senate timing; Senate can amend later. Polls on excluding Manchester exits (projects 1699A, 6099B, $223M). All agree except Rep. Rockmore ambivalent due to necessity.
HB2026: Rep. Rockmore Information Only00:31:16.480 - 9:29:37 AM; Expresses ambivalence; projects necessary but costly, cut for funding not expendability.
HB2026: Rep. Jack Information Only00:32:31.919 - 9:30:52 AM; Confirms plan must be fiscally constrained; including unfunded projects invalidates it.
HB2026: Rep. Bow Information Only00:32:31.919 - 9:30:52 AM; Notes needs like 101 in Milford/Amherst not on list due to constraints, despite dangers.
HB2026: Chairman (Rep. Mills) Information Only00:33:34.159 - 9:31:55 AM; Explains process: regional planning commissions submit priorities, DOT balances; past overprogramming led to cuts for constraint.
HB2026: Rep. Brown Information Only00:34:42.480 - 9:33:03 AM; Asks what 'mandated federal' means in TIP, references pages 38-40 Concord projects ($8M for boardwalk/path). Questions if funds can pivot to higher needs like exits.
HB2026: DOT Information Only00:35:44.400 - 9:34:05 AM; Mandated federal: restricted programs like TAP (sidewalks, trails), CMAQ (intersections). Use-it-or-lose-it; limited eligibility. Balances non-highway needs like pedestrians/bikes.
HB2026: Rep. Brown Information Only00:39:39.440 - 9:38:00 AM; Asks total regional project costs vs. current plan ($4.5B). Notes $60M typically for regions, cut this time.
HB2026: DOT Information Only00:40:38.960 - 9:38:59 AM; No exact total; typically $30M/year for top regional priorities. Cut $400M fully funded + $60M regions = $460M identified needs unfunded. Backlogs extensive.
HB2026: Rep. Edgar Information Only00:43:39.760 - 9:42:00 AM; Asks if TA funds maxed; mentions cut rail trail over marsh ($5M construction).
HB2026: DOT Information Only00:44:34.800 - 9:42:55 AM; TA fully programmed (17 projects, $33M). Marsh rail trail was regional priority, not TA; ongoing discussion to reclassify if needed.
HB2026: DOT Information Only00:47:38.160 - 9:45:59 AM; Points to graphs (pages 3-4) showing financial constraint: projects within revenue. Turnpike model shows deficit with exits 6/7.
HB2026: Rep. Brown Information Only00:49:43.359 - 9:48:04 AM; Asks how Senate bill changes turnpike graph.
HB2026: DOT Information Only00:49:43.359 - 9:48:04 AM; Will update graph for next meeting.
HB2026: Rep. Rock Information Only00:49:43.359 - 9:48:04 AM; Requests key for abbreviations like CMAQ, TA in alternative programs.
HB2026: Rep. Faulner Information Only00:50:34.880 - 9:48:55 AM; Requests examples of projects fitting CMAQ, TA categories.
HB2026: Chairman (Rep. Mills) Information Only00:51:54.480 - 9:50:15 AM; Polls on including 11 projects ($22.5M); all in favor. Basis: draft plan + 11 amendments, excluding last two. Next session Tuesday.
HB2026: Rep. Newman Information Only00:53:54.720 - 9:52:15 AM; Asks about proceeds from selling properties in Hudson/Litchfield/Merrimack (e.g., $400K from circumferential). Where does money go? Federal share or all?
HB2026: Chairman (Rep. Mills) Information Only00:54:53.280 - 9:53:14 AM; Federal gets back their share if used federal funds; state keeps rest. For state projects, to general fund.
HB2026: Mr. Labonte Information Only00:56:04.640 - 9:54:25 AM; 80% federal-funded property sale: 80% back to federal highway for future NH projects at fair market value.
HB2026: Rep. Faulner Information Only00:58:30.000 - 9:56:51 AM; Asks scale of surplus property sales revenue vs. program (significant or rounding error?).
HB2026: DOT Information Only01:00:32.079 - 9:58:53 AM; Not significant; budgeted $5M years ago but hard to hit. Variable, not budgetable (e.g., Conway bypass sales).
HB2026: Rep. Edgar Information Only01:02:21.200 - 10:00:42 AM; Follow-up: how to access returned federal funds? Net effect?
HB2026: DOT Information Only01:02:21.200 - 10:00:42 AM; Deposited in federal aid account (3054) for additional projects. Offsets bid variances; dynamic program.
HB2026: Rep. Faulner Information Only01:04:29.280 - 10:02:50 AM; Asks if both Bow/Concord and Manchester intersections could be included if revenue covers both.
HB2026: Chairman (Rep. Mills) Information Only01:05:29.760 - 10:03:50 AM; $55M insufficient for $250M+; fruitless to discuss both.
HB2026: Subcommittee Chair (Rep. Boyd) Information Only03:06:07.120 - 12:04:28 PM; Calls subcommittee work session on HB6007FN to order. Members: Reps. Newman (Nashua), Rockmore (Hanover), Brown (Moultonborough), Boyd (Merrimack). Sponsor Rep. Roing (Merrimack) present. No set agenda; discusses amendment for unfunded mandate avoidance.
HB2026: Rep. Newman Information Only03:07:11.680 - 12:05:32 PM; Clarifies amendment placement in RSA 485-C for groundwater protection, adding to water management section.
HB2026: Rep. Roing Information Only03:08:13.840 - 12:06:34 PM; Confirms amendment from ALOS ensures no unfunded mandate. Bill codifies admin rules for salt storage to control groundwater chloride. Addresses local control; suggests phased approach, DES assistance for compliance.
HB2026: Subcommittee Chair (Rep. Boyd) Information Only03:10:17.600 - 12:08:38 PM; Notes local control concerns; suggests flexibility for communities/businesses, phased implementation to avoid burden on DES/municipalities.
HB2026: Rep. Rockmore Information Only03:11:34.640 - 12:09:55 PM; Discusses local control limits due to shared groundwater; specific compliance dates aid passage/enforcement.
HB2026: Rep. Brown Information Only03:12:47.040 - 12:11:08 PM; References Green Snowpro program as comprehensive guidance. Amendment allows deferral without funding. Notes larger towns (Moultonborough, Ossipee) already have sheds/best practices. Stresses municipal impact on salt; needs funding source, mandatory over time given critical groundwater stage. Companion bill (Darby) adds surcharge for salt mitigation fund.
HB2026: Rep. Roing Information Only03:16:04.560 - 12:14:25 PM; Sensitive to unfunded mandates; seeks consensus. Groundwater crosses towns (e.g., Merrimack/Amherst/Milford). Darby's bill complements: surcharge funds mitigation, encourages judicious salt use with Green Snowpro momentum. Statute better than nothing.
HB2026: Rep. Brown Information Only03:19:20.880 - 12:17:41 PM; Confirms surcharge funds for mitigation/implementation to prevent groundwater impact.
HB1810: David Neiels, Administrator, Watershed Bureau, DES Information Only03:20:33.760 - 12:18:54 PM; David Neiels explains that HB1810 aims to impose a $4 fee per ton on bulk salt sales to fund a grant program at DES for salt mitigation practices, such as covering salt storage facilities. He confirms that proactive measures would be eligible and that administrative rules would define specifics. He notes the program would be available to private entities as well. Neiels discusses the Green Snow Pro program, noting its recent availability to municipalities (about a year) with only three participants so far, compared to over 500 private entities. He highlights challenges like awareness, registration costs, annual fees, and time for employee training. He emphasizes cost savings and liability benefits for participants but notes certification does not guarantee implementation of best practices. On rulemaking, he suggests it could be straightforward, drawing from existing fact sheets and Green Snow Pro procedures, potentially completed in six months to a year. He proposes starting with surveys and on-site inspections for inventory, prioritizing by road miles and salt usage, and estimates a full inventory could take a year. Neiels agrees to provide answers to unanswered questions by Friday and offers to collaborate on bill language for rulemaking timelines.
HB1810: Representative Brown Information Only03:21:42.560 - 12:20:03 PM; Representative Brown questions Neiels on improving the Green Snow Pro program for municipalities, suggesting mandatory certification to increase awareness and reduce salt impacts on groundwater without significant costs. He proposes combining storage requirements with training in the bill as enabling legislation, allowing towns time to comply. He advocates for results over mere certification, questioning limited liability without implementation. Brown suggests using fee revenue for training costs and prioritizes inventory based on town size and salt usage. He inquires about temporary storage needs during storms and urges starting inventory now. He supports rulemaking for flexibility and requests DES input on bill language for implementation timelines.
HB1810: Representative Rung (Prime Sponsor) Support03:30:54.720 - 12:29:15 PM; Representative Rung supports mandatory elements but prefers separating Green Snow Pro certification from salt storage into distinct bills due to differing administration and motivators, though both protect waters. He favors rulemaking over statute for flexibility with evolving science, soil variations, and new chemicals, allowing DES to define 'irresponsible storage' that threatens waters.
HB1810: Representative Rockmore Information Only03:34:10.640 - 12:32:31 PM; Representative Rockmore clarifies that Green Snow Pro certification does not ensure ongoing compliance with best practices. He questions the rulemaking process under HB1810, suggesting it might be simple like a fact sheet. He asks about the percentage of towns needing major changes, noting larger towns likely already comply, while small ones may face lesser costs. He seeks clarification on building compliance deadlines into regulations, such as phased timelines for building sheds or town meetings.
HB1810: Representative Newman Information Only03:37:18.960 - 12:35:39 PM; Representative Newman suggests using HB1810 fee revenue ($4 million annually) to fund Green Snow Pro training for strapped communities, avoiding their own expenditures.
HB1810: Unidentified Representative (Follow-up on Permits) Information Only03:41:42.160 - 12:40:03 PM; This representative inquires about communities storing salt on permeable surfaces needing groundwater discharge permits, how many are subject to them, and if private companies are similarly regulated. He notes DES could provide data on permit holders.
HB1810: Chair (or Unidentified) Information Only03:44:41.840 - 12:43:02 PM; The chair asks about time for DES rulemaking and inventory, considering staff constraints, and suggests six months to a year for rules. He proposes prioritizing by salt usage and using bulk salt sellers' customer lists for inventory. He requests deliverables by Friday on unanswered questions and suggests starting inventory during other DES visits.
HB1810: Representative (on Inventory and Temporary Storage) Information Only03:51:11.199 - 12:49:32 PM; This representative emphasizes urgency for inventory to assess magnitude, noting visible compliance in many places but concerns over temporary storm storage without sheds, suggesting regulations for tarping or impermeable temporary measures to balance public safety.

Milz, David(Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Boyd, Bill(Clerk)(R)[C]2025	Bogert, Steven(V Chairman)(R)[B+]2025
Cloutier, John(D)[F]2025	Boehm, Ralph(R)[B]2025	Jack, Martin(D)[D-]2025
Newman, Sue(D)[F]2025	Edgar, Michael(D)[F]2025	Faulkner, Barry(D)[D-]2025
Fedolfi, Jim(R)[IN]2025	Brown, Richard(R)[B+]2025	Juris, Louis(D)[F]2025
Suiter, John(R)[B-]2025	Vallone, Mark(D)[D-]2025	Foote, Charles(R)[B]2025
Rockmore, Ellen(D)[CT]2025	Louis, Darrell(R)[B+]2025