Committee Summary for Senate Energy and Natural Resources (03/17/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1603 00:04:26.795 - 8:03:12 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
SB593 2026-1168S 01:34:26.795 - 9:33:12 AM	Public Hearing	relative to landfills.	Avard, Kevin(R)[B]2025
SB593 2026-1168S 01:49:26.795 - 9:48:12 AM	Executive Session	relative to landfills.	Avard, Kevin(R)[B]2025
SB447 2024-1194s 01:49:26.795 - 9:48:12 AM	Executive Session	enabling electric utilities to own, operate, and offer advanced nuclear resources, and relative to purchased power agreements for electric distribution utilities and limitations on community customer generators.	Avard, Kevin(R)[B]2025

HB1603: Representative DeVito, Danville Support00:04:26.795 - 8:03:12 AM; The representative addresses concerns from last week's hearing, emphasizing her commitment to conservation and outdoor enjoyment. She clarifies that HB 1603 does not weaken protections for endangered species but codifies existing Fish and Game procedures: obtaining landowner permission before entering private property and relying on verifiable evidence for species documentation. She notes conflicting testimony about current practices and argues the bill provides clarity, consistency, and transparency without fiscal impact, respecting property rights and ensuring accurate data for conservation.
HB1603: Matthew Paul Fitzpatrick Mayberry, CEO, New Hampshire Home Builders Association Support00:19:26.795 - 8:18:12 AM; Initially opposed, the association now supports HB 1603 after stakeholders collaborated on a compromise. The bill directs Fish and Game to develop rules for notifying landowners and accessing property without trespassing, balancing endangered species protection with housing needs amid New Hampshire's economic challenges. He agrees to provide data on project reductions due to endangered species issues and supports legislative guidelines for species-specific rules considering lifespans.
HB1603: Chris Bogard, State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator Oppose00:34:26.795 - 8:33:12 AM; With over two decades of experience rehabilitating turtles, Bogard shares accurate, verifiable data reporting practices to Fish and Game, including photos and GPS coordinates. She describes positive interactions with landowners, always obtaining permission for releases, and provides an example of coordinating a spotted turtle release through private property. She argues the bill does not benefit listed wildlife species and questions using short lifespans as criteria for data validity, noting turtles' long lifespans (30-80 years) and reproduction.
HB1603: Witness from Danville (Long Pond Association) Support00:49:26.795 - 8:48:12 AM; The speaker, experienced in environmental assessments and pond management, emphasizes the need for accurate, verifiable data to protect both species and property owners. He shares examples of misidentifications in nature and permitting delays due to unverified historical data, including a commercial project in Danville stalled by Fish and Game requirements. He supports codifying rules for accessibility and accuracy, noting current DES verification practices and potential impacts on property taxes and development from inaccurate records.
HB1603: Jimmy Mc (Conservation Biologist, Business Owner, Landowner) Oppose00:49:26.795 - 8:48:12 AM; As a lifelong New Hampshire resident and conservation biologist, he opposes HB 1603 for wasting taxpayer money and increasing uncertainty. He argues that deleting or disregarding historical records erases decades of scientific investment from public and private funds, necessitating costly re-documentation. Good historical data aids efficient project advancement and avoids surprises, aligning with fiscal responsibility.
HB1603: Carol Foss, Senior Advisor for Science and Policy, New Hampshire Audubon (representing multiple organizations) Oppose00:49:26.795 - 8:48:12 AM; Representing several conservation groups, Foss opposes the bill, arguing rulemaking for verifying records is unnecessary as procedures exist and can be posted online. Requiring landowner permission for site-specific data is unrealistic and ambiguous, used not just for permits but grants benefiting conservation. Emphasis should be on suitable habitat, not point locations, given species mobility like turtles.
HB1603: Carrie (expert in conservation and habitat) Information Only01:04:26.795 - 9:03:12 AM; Carrie discusses challenges with data collection for endangered species, including differences between formal surveys and public reports, the impracticality of verifying land ownership for public-submitted data, and the importance of radio telemetry for tracking animal movements across properties. She addresses concerns about old records, emphasizing their value in indicating historical presence and potential for current populations if habitat persists. In response to questions about overpopulation of predators like foxes impacting turtles, she explains that turtle habitats are wetlands protected by other regulations, and common turtles like painted and snapping are not endangered. She suggests mitigation measures for development near wetlands to preserve nesting areas without halting projects.
HB1603: Jason Stock, Executive Director, New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association (representing timberland owners) Support01:19:26.795 - 9:18:12 AM; Jason Stock supports HB 1603, emphasizing the need for landowner permission before entering private property to gather data for the Natural Heritage Database, citing policies from DES and Fish and Game that require or encourage such permissions. He argues this fosters cooperation and respects property rights without affecting law enforcement or permitted activities. He references a stakeholder process that led to a rulemaking approach with sideboards, ensuring data accuracy and qualified entries prospectively while not eliminating old records. He highlights inconsistencies in database records, such as varying reports of Blanding's turtles on the same property over time, and stresses landowners' privacy concerns regarding sensitive habitat information. In Q&A, he affirms concerns about invasive insects like emerald ash borer, supports site-specific permissions for on-property investigations, distinguishes between on-site and off-site data collection, and suggests examining existing data during permit processes to avoid fiscal burdens.
SB593 2026-1168S: Senator Howard Pearl, District 17 (Loudon) Support01:34:26.795 - 9:33:12 AM; Senator Pearl introduces the amendment to SB 593, which allows direct refunds of the $3.50 per ton fee to solid waste management districts rather than routing through member municipalities, resolving administrative issues identified in the prior budget process. He notes it is a replace-all amendment and non-germane to the original bill but suitable as a vehicle in solid waste management. He accepts a grammatical suggestion to adjust wording on line 16 for clarity.
SB593 2026-1168S: Mr. Moore, Alternate Representative, BCEP Solid Waste Management District (Chester) Support01:34:26.795 - 9:33:12 AM; Mr. Moore supports the amendment, noting it would save BCEP $15,000 to $20,000 annually and requests retroactivity to January 1 to address fees paid since then (about $3,000 monthly from four towns). He summarizes BCEP's background and the issue with RSA 149-A:5 (collection) and :4 (distribution), advocating inclusion of districts as recipients. He accepts the prospective effective date but notes the ongoing cost until enactment.
SB593 2026-1168S: Leah McKenna, Administrator, Solid Waste Management Bureau, DES Information Only01:49:26.795 - 9:48:12 AM; Leah McKenna explains the need to shift the effective date to July 1, 2027, for rulemaking to enable administration of refunds to districts, as current law does not allow it. She confirms retroactivity is not feasible and provides details on the process.
SB593 2026-1168S: Committee Discussion Vote01:49:26.795 - 9:48:12 AM; The committee adopts the amendment 2026-1168S unanimously, places the bill on consent calendar, and votes to pass as amended without opposition. Discussion includes keeping it on consent to avoid technical changes and confirming the effective date.
SB447 2024-1194s: Committee Discussion Vote01:49:26.795 - 9:48:12 AM; The committee adopts amendment 2024-1194s unanimously, adding a definition of nonprofit educational institution for this section (covering non-public elementary, secondary, or post-secondary institutions approved by the State Board of Education, organized for direct instruction without profit distribution) and striking irrelevant language on line 20 to read 'these activities may include outreach programs to inform and educate the public, particularly regarding safety.' The bill is voted to pass as amended, with one senator opposing due to concerns over long-term power purchase agreements locking the state into 20-year commitments amid energy price volatility, citing examples from other states. Discussion highlights benefits for energy hedging and savings.

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