HB 648 (2012): relative to eminent domain by public utilities and establishing a commission to investigate the procedural rights of the landowner when a petition is presented to the public utilities commission by a utility seeking eminent domain, develop a framework for the state to provide use rights to transmission developers on state owned rights-of-way, develop policies to encourage burying such lines where practicable, and establish a structure for payment.

HB 648 (2012)

relative to eminent domain by public utilities and establishing a commission to investigate the procedural rights of the landowner when a petition is presented to the public utilities commission by a utility seeking eminent domain, develop a framework for the state to provide use rights to transmission developers on state owned rights-of-way, develop policies to encourage burying such lines where practicable, and establish a structure for payment.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2011-2012
• House committee: Science, Technology and Energy
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Energy and Utilities
• Chapter law: 2

The Story

It was introduced on February 16, 2011 and referred to the House Science, Technology and Energy committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 9, 2011. The committee met in executive session on March 10, 2011 to vote on its recommendation. On March 15, 2011 the House adopted “Suspend House Rules to Allow Reporting Deadline to Be Extended No Later Than Mar 24 and House Action No Later Than Mar 31 (Reps Bettencourt & Wallner)” on a voice vote. The committee held a work session on March 22, 2011. The committee voted 11–4 to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 1134h), and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (1134h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 30, 2011, changing the text of the bill. On March 30, 2011 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 317–51. It crossed to the Senate on April 27, 2011 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on May 19, 2011. The committee recommended that the Senate send it back to committee. On June 1, 2011 the Senate adopted “Special Order to the end of the Calendar, Without Objection”. The committee recommended that the Senate send it back to committee. On June 1, 2011 the Senate adopted “Special Order to 1 pm, Without Objection”. The committee recommended that the Senate send it back to committee. On June 1, 2011 the Senate voted to send it back to committee on a roll call 14–10. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2012-0018s). On January 18, 2012 the Senate adopted “Special Order to 1/25/12 to the beginning of the regular calendar, Without Objection”. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2012-0018s). The committee's amendment (0018s) was adopted on a voice vote on January 25, 2012, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2012-0350s), offered by Sen. Sharon Carson, was adopted on a voice vote on January 25, 2012, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2012-0367s), offered by Sen. Forrester, was adopted on a roll call 16–8 on January 25, 2012, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2012-0373s), offered by Sen. Larsen, was adopted on a voice vote on January 25, 2012, changing the text of the bill. On January 25, 2012 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 23–1 and ordered it to a third reading. On January 25, 2012 the Senate adopted “Reconsideration of HB 648” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Bradley. A floor amendment (2012-0405s), offered by Sen. Larsen, was adopted on a voice vote on January 25, 2012, changing the text of the bill. On January 25, 2012 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On February 8, 2012 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate AM's (Rep J.Garrity)” on a voice vote. An enrolled bill amendment (0723e) was adopted on a voice vote on February 8, 2012. These correct technical errors found after passage. The bill was enrolled on February 15, 2012 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2012-0723e) was adopted to correct technical errors found after passage. The bill was enrolled on February 22, 2012 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on March 5, 2012, making it Chapter 2 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Laurence Rappaport (R - Coos 1) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. William Remick (R - Coos 2)
• Rep. Neal Kurk (R - Hills 7)
• Rep. John E. Tholl Jr. (R - Coos 2)
• Rep. Rick Ladd (R - Graf 5)
• Rep. Duffy Daugherty (R - Coos 1)
• Rep. Charles Brosseau (R - Graf 6)
• Rep. Harold Reilly (R - Graf 8)
• Sen. Jeanie Forrester (R - SD2)

Hearings and Sessions

• March 9, 2011, 10:15 AM: public hearing, House Science, Technology and Energy, Representative's Hall
• March 10, 2011, 9:00 AM: executive session, House Science, Technology and Energy, LOB 304
• March 22, 2011, 10:15 AM: full committee work session, House Science, Technology and Energy, LOB 304
• May 19, 2011, 1:15 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, Representatives' Hall

Votes

• March 15, 2011, House: Suspend House Rules to Allow Reporting Deadline to Be Extended No Later Than Mar 24 and House Action No Later Than Mar 31 (Reps Bettencourt & Wallner) — voice vote, passed
• March 30, 2011, House: OTP/AM 1134H — yeas 317, nays 51, passed
• June 1, 2011, Senate: Re-refer to committee — yeas 14, nays 10, passed
• January 25, 2012, Senate: Sen. Forrester Floor Amendment 0367s — yeas 16, nays 8, passed
• January 25, 2012, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 23, nays 1, passed
• January 25, 2012, Senate: Reconsideration of HB 648 — voice vote, passed
• January 25, 2012, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendments 0018s, NT, 0350s, 0367s, NT, 0373s, NT, 0405s, NT — voice vote, passed
• February 8, 2012, House: House Concurs with Senate AM's (Rep J.Garrity) — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 371
• RSA 371:2-a
• RSA 371:5-a
• RSA 371:1
• RSA 371:16-a

From the General Court

• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 27
• SC 23
• SC 26
• SC 3