SB 539-FN-A-LOCAL (2024): establishing a procedure for the department of environmental services to transfer ownership of dams to municipalities or other interested parties.

SB 539-FN-A-LOCAL (2024)

establishing a procedure for the department of environmental services to transfer ownership of dams to municipalities or other interested parties.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2023-2024
• House committee: Resources, Recreation and Development
• Senate committee: Energy and Natural Resources
• Subject: Environment - Administration
• Chapter law: 301

The Story

It was introduced on January 3, 2024 and referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 30, 2024. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2024-1258s). The committee's amendment (2024-1258s) was rejected on a voice vote on April 5, 2024. On April 5, 2024 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 7–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2024-1462s). The committee's amendment (2024-1462s) was adopted on a voice vote on April 11, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On April 11, 2024 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on April 12, 2024 and was referred to the House Resources, Recreation and Development committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 24, 2024, with 2 people signed in online: 2 in support. The committee met in executive session on April 24, 2024 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 19–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2024-1638h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2024-1638h) was adopted on a voice vote on May 2, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On May 2, 2024 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On May 2, 2024 the bill was referred to the Ways and Means committee, whose chair waived the referral under House Rule 47(f). On May 30, 2024 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Kevin Avard. The bill was enrolled on June 13, 2024 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 26, 2024, making it Chapter 301 of the session laws. It took effect on July 1, 2024.

Sponsors

• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Jeb Bradley (R - SD3)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Sen. Lou D'Allesandro (D - SD20)
• Sen. Sharon Carson (R - SD14)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Rep. Jason Osborne (R - Rock 2)
• Rep. Joe Alexander (R - Hills 29)
• Rep. Lisa Mazur (R - Hills 44)
• Rep. Carol McGuire (R - Merr 27)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 30, 2024, 9:15 AM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• April 24, 2024, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Resources, Recreation and Development, LOB 305
• April 24, 2024, 11:00 AM: executive session, House Resources, Recreation and Development, LOB 305

Votes

• April 5, 2024, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• April 11, 2024, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-1462s — voice vote, passed
• May 2, 2024, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-1638h — voice vote, passed
• May 30, 2024, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 482

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 5
• SC 13
• SC 14A
• HC 17, page 12