Committee Summary for Senate Energy and Natural Resources (03/10/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1199 00:01:58.507 - 8:00:45 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) enabling the fish and game department to create a permit and fee for the use of fish and game staff by other state agencies and departments.	Spillane, James(R)[A]2025
HB1199 Committee amendment to move 'unrestricted' before 'expenditure' 00:16:58.507 - 8:15:45 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) enabling the fish and game department to create a permit and fee for the use of fish and game staff by other state agencies and departments.	Spillane, James(R)[A]2025
HB1603 House amendment codifying landowner permission and verifiable data standards 00:25:00.000 - 8:23:47 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) requiring the executive director of the department of fish and game to adopt rules relative to procedures for verifying accuracy of records collected relative to threatened and endangered wildlife and ensuring landowner permission is granted for the gathering of such record.	DeVito, Sayra(R)[A-]2025
HB1539 01:35:00.000 - 9:33:47 AM	Public Hearing	authorizing electric utilities to issue AAA-rated bonds for the purpose of storm cost recovery and infrastructure resilience.	Vose, Michael(R)[A-]2025
HB1539 02:01:58.507 - 10:00:45 AM	Executive Session	authorizing electric utilities to issue AAA-rated bonds for the purpose of storm cost recovery and infrastructure resilience.	Vose, Michael(R)[A-]2025
HB1205 02:05:00.000 - 10:03:47 AM	Public Hearing	prohibiting state and county owned lands from participating in carbon sequestration projects.	Davis, Arnold(R)[B+]2025
HB1205 02:16:58.507 - 10:15:45 AM	Executive Session	prohibiting state and county owned lands from participating in carbon sequestration projects.	Davis, Arnold(R)[B+]2025
442 1087S, 0974S 02:31:58.507 - 10:30:45 AM	Executive Session	relative to residential breeders	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #

HB1199: Representative Sarah DeVito (Co-sponsor, Rockingham District 8) Support00:01:58.507 - 8:00:45 AM; Introduced HB 1199 on behalf of Representative James Blaine. The bill addresses a gap in accountability by allowing the Fish and Game Department to charge fees to other state departments for personnel, equipment, and expertise provided. It ensures the department recovers costs without subsidizing other agencies using dedicated funding. The bill is supported by the department and commission, passed unanimously in the House.
HB1199: Melissa Nemeth (Legal and Legislative Representative, Fish and Game Department) Support00:10:00.000 - 8:08:47 AM; Strongly supports HB 1199. Explains the bill allows charging fees for services to other agencies with exemptions for existing MOUs, clarifies discounted lifetime licenses for infants up to the first birthday, and creates a Modernization and Sustainability Account with transfers from the prepaid license fund for technology and operational improvements. Emphasizes benefits for efficiency, revenue, and sustainability. Addresses questions on unrestricted funds, confirming they stay within Fish and Game for authorized purposes under RSA 206:38.
HB1199 Committee amendment to move 'unrestricted' before 'expenditure': Committee Discussion (Chairman and Senators) Vote00:16:58.507 - 8:15:45 AM; Committee discusses the bill, addressing concerns about rulemaking authority and fees. Agrees to a committee amendment clarifying that funds are available for unrestricted expenditure under RSA 206:38 to ensure they stay within Fish and Game. Notes the bill's importance for reimbursing staff loans and funding modernization. Votes unanimously Ought to Pass as Amended, then moves to consent calendar and out of executive session. Questions fiscal note absence, attributing it to no general fund impact.
HB1603 House amendment codifying landowner permission and verifiable data standards: Representative Sarah DeVito (Prime Sponsor, Rockingham District 8) Support00:25:00.000 - 8:23:47 AM; Presents HB 1603 to address concerns about endangered species claims imposing land use restrictions without lawful data collection or verification. The House amendment requires landowner permission or warrant for data collection on private property, ensures data is verifiable and specific, and prohibits requiring new biodiversity searches for approvals. Aims to build trust and cooperation without weakening protections or federal compliance. Passed the House; seeks committee support.
HB1603 House amendment codifying landowner permission and verifiable data standards: Melissa Nemeth (Legal and Legislative Representative, Fish and Game Department) Information Only00:28:00.000 - 8:26:47 AM; Provides department perspective. Notes Fish and Game Commission approved amendment 9-1, but ongoing discussions exist. Expresses concerns about rulemaking costs, administrative burdens like tracking permissions and contacting landowners, and technology updates needed. Database doesn't currently track permissions. Supports property rights but highlights fiscal impacts as a self-funded agency. Agrees to provide information on current processes, fiscal needs, and biologist views.
HB1603 House amendment codifying landowner permission and verifiable data standards: Vice Chair, Nottingham Planning Board Oppose00:46:58.507 - 8:45:45 AM; Opposes HB 1603, arguing threatened and endangered species and their observations are public resources requiring protection. Current database records are verified by biologists with evidence, not unverified reports. Requiring landowner permission would hinder scientific data flow, devastate conservation, and create gaps in understanding species locations. Questions implications for public sightings, like turtles on roads, and revoking data. Notes bill could undermine grants relying on this data for habitat prioritization. Emphasizes ecological reviews provide reasonable mitigations, not development bans. Advocates cooperation but warns of negative impacts on conservation planning.
HB1603 House amendment codifying landowner permission and verifiable data standards: Public Speaker (unnamed) Support01:01:58.507 - 9:00:45 AM; The speaker argues that searching private property without permission is wrong, comparing it to police actions, and notes increasing no trespassing signs. They emphasize the lack of data integrity due to poor collection methods and highlight Fish and Game's indirect power through other agencies to impose restrictions. They support the bill for requiring verifiable data and landowner permission to improve reliability without reducing overall data quality.
HB1603 House amendment codifying landowner permission and verifiable data standards: Leslie McGregor, Wildlife Biologist, Veterinarian, Lawyer Oppose01:11:00.000 - 9:09:47 AM; As a longtime wildlife biologist, the speaker stresses the value of historical data sets for long-lived endangered species like turtles, which are secretive and rarely seen. Requiring landowner permission would negate existing verified data, risking missed opportunities to protect species and starting data collection from scratch, which is hazardous.
HB1603 House amendment codifying landowner permission and verifiable data standards: Judy Lindsay, Candia Oppose01:13:00.000 - 9:11:47 AM; Speaking personally as a member of Candia's planning board and conservation commission, Lindsay urges opposition to HB1603 for weakening protections for vulnerable species like the Blanding's turtle. She describes their ecological role, slow reproduction, and threats from habitat destruction and development. She shares a personal story of students discovering a turtle and notes the impact of nearby housing development, advocating for balance between human needs and wildlife protections.
HB1603 House amendment codifying landowner permission and verifiable data standards: Unnamed Speaker (Kevin?) Oppose01:16:58.507 - 9:15:45 AM; The speaker explains citizen science reporting via RARP forms with photos and GPS for rare species sightings, verified by biologists. They argue that developers avoid validating endangered species presence, leading to habitat loss. Fish and Game relies on reports rather than proactive searches, and the bill would exacerbate resource loss in New Hampshire, prioritizing property rights over conservation.
HB1603 House amendment codifying landowner permission and verifiable data standards: Sierra Riley, New Hampshire Turtle Rescue Volunteer Oppose01:20:00.000 - 9:18:47 AM; Riley reports wildlife sightings from public spaces or curtilage without trespassing and submits written testimony. She argues the bill incentivizes dishonesty amid aggressive housing markets, where landowners minimize wildlife impacts. Threatened species indicate ecosystem health; the bill disincentivizes citizen science and stewardship, worsening urban sprawl effects like droughts and biodiversity loss, weakening conservation infrastructure.
HB1603 House amendment codifying landowner permission and verifiable data standards: Karen Campbell, Veterinarian, NH Turtle Rescue and Audubon Volunteer Oppose01:23:00.000 - 9:21:47 AM; As a veterinarian and wildlife advocate, Campbell opposes the bill for jeopardizing protections and invalidating existing database data, wasting scientists' efforts and funds. It would require costly new data collection while states must meet endangered species requirements. She highlights the extinction crisis and fiscal irresponsibility.
HB1603 House amendment codifying landowner permission and verifiable data standards: Rick Vanderbilt, Sandwich, Wildlife Biologist Oppose01:26:00.000 - 9:24:47 AM; A 50-year wildlife biologist who identifies rare species for permits and worked for Fish and Game, Vanderbilt provides information on data collection. He notes limited staff resources at Fish and Game and argues the bill would restrict their job without improving processes already in place, like those reviewed six years ago.
HB1603 House amendment codifying landowner permission and verifiable data standards: Ashley Porter, Private Landowner and Wildlife Biologist Oppose01:31:58.507 - 9:30:45 AM; Porter, with a master's in wildlife forensic science and former Fish and Game technician, opposes the bill. She describes current processes requiring permission for surveys and notes rejections occur. The bill addresses a non-existent problem, limits data sets by restricting access, invalidates existing data, and undermines state trusteeship of public wildlife resources for future generations.
HB1539: Representative Michael Vose, Epping, Chair of Science, Technology and Energy Support01:35:00.000 - 9:33:47 AM; Vose introduces HB 1539 FN to allow securitization of storm recovery costs via bonds, reducing ratepayer impact from major 2023-2024 winter storms requiring out-of-state crews. He references past securitization for the Bow coal plant scrubber and notes utilities recover prudent costs, but bonding spreads them over time for affordability.
HB1539: Joe Casey, IBEW International Rep, Locals 104 and 1837 Support01:40:00.000 - 9:38:47 AM; Representing 4,000 IBEW members including utility workers, Casey supports the bill for protecting consumers, utilities, and workers from storm financial impacts. Securitization via state-backed bonds lowers rates and is used in other states like New York and California. He submits a letter from VP Michael Monahan.
HB1539: Michael Licata, Eversource Energy Support01:43:00.000 - 9:41:47 AM; Licata explains securitization isolates costs into AAA-rated rate reduction bonds for lower bill impacts via longer terms and lower rates. The bill expands RSA 369B to include storm costs after 23 major storms (2022-2024) costing $450 million, including a record $113 million event. Prudency review remains unchanged; it's enabling, not mandatory.
HB1539: Committee Chair Vote02:01:58.507 - 10:00:45 AM; The committee discusses and agrees to a committee amendment striking 'AAA rated' from the bill title, as the rating is not in the language. Motion to amend passes unanimously. Motion to recommend ought to pass as amended passes unanimously on consent calendar.
HB1205: Representative Arnold Davis, Coos District 2 Support02:05:00.000 - 10:03:47 AM; Davis introduces the simple five-line bill prohibiting state and county lands from timber carbon sequestration programs, as they were purchased with taxpayer funds for timber purposes to support jobs in logging, trucking, and wood products. He suggests amending lines 3 and 4 to specify 'timber' before 'carbon sequestration' for clarity.
HB1205: Senator David Rochefort, Senate District 1 Support02:10:00.000 - 10:08:47 AM; Rochefort supports the bill for ensuring public lands bought for specific uses like forestry are not locked into restrictive carbon programs, maintaining flexibility for future needs. He notes bipartisan support and that sustainable management can include carbon without mutual exclusivity, but public expectation was timber management.
HB1205: Rob Johnson, NH Farm Bureau Federation Policy Director Support02:12:00.000 - 10:10:47 AM; Johnson supports clarifying the bill applies to timber, not affecting USDA programs for soil carbon sequestration on county-owned farmlands leased to farmers, aligning with statutory intent.
HB1205: Jason Stock, Executive Director, NH Timberland Owners Association Support02:14:00.000 - 10:12:47 AM; Stock supports the bill, recognizing forest carbon but emphasizing state lands were bought with public funds expecting timber management. Adding encumbrances post-purchase would be disingenuous; sustainable management can balance timber, recreation, wildlife, and carbon on fee-owned lands.
HB1205: Committee Chair Vote02:16:58.507 - 10:15:45 AM; Conducts vote on amendments to HB 1205. All in favor say aye. No opposition. Amendments pass.
HB1205: Senator Pearl Support02:17:10.000 - 10:15:57 AM; Addressed as the timber guy, proceeds with motion to pass HB 1205 as amended.
HB1205: Senator McCachy Support02:17:20.000 - 10:16:07 AM; Seconds the motion to pass as amended.
HB1205: Committee Chair Vote02:17:30.000 - 10:16:17 AM; Calls for discussion, none. Votes on motion to pass as amended, all in favor aye, no opposition. Motion passes. Assigns bill to Senator Pearl.
442 1087S, 0974S: Senator Pearl Support02:31:58.507 - 10:30:45 AM; Moves to pass bill 442 and offers amendment 1087S. Notes prior discussion and collaboration with Trish Morris to address legal concerns. Continues explaining amendment 0974S, which resolves inconsistencies regarding pet vendor and commercial pet kennel definitions. Clarifies that increasing threshold from 30 to 50 animals exempts residential breeders only from in-home inspections due to impervious surface compliance issues, but requires registration as pet vendors and adherence to all other rules. Emphasizes benefits to communities seeking purebred dogs and relief for these small-scale breeders.
442 1087S, 0974S: Senator Waters Support02:36:00.000 - 10:34:47 AM; Appreciates the efforts on the amendment, especially the clear definition of residential breeder to distinguish it from a separate breeding facility. Supports this revised version.
442 1087S, 0974S: Committee Chair Vote02:36:30.000 - 10:35:17 AM; Confirms amendment 0974S. Calls for discussion, none. Votes on amendment, all in favor aye, no opposition. Amendment passes. Motion to ought to pass as amended, seconded by Senator Waters, discussion none. Votes, all in favor aye except one opposition, passes 4-1. Consent all aye. Motion to move, all aye, no opposition.
442 1087S, 0974S: Senator McCackie Oppose02:37:00.000 - 10:35:47 AM; Opposes the motion to ought to pass as amended.
442 1087S, 0974S: Senator Raybard Support02:32:00.000 - 10:30:47 AM; Seconds the amendment 1087S.

Avard, Kevin(Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Pearl, Howard (V Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Watters, David(D)[D-]2025
Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[F]2025	McConkey, Mark(R)[B]2025