SB 543 (2024): establishing the state environmental adaptation, resilience, and innovation council.

SB 543 (2024)

establishing the state environmental adaptation, resilience, and innovation council.

• Status: Vetoed, override failed
• Term: 2023-2024
• House committee: Public Works and Highways
• Senate committee: Energy and Natural Resources
• Subject: Miscellaneous

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 March 5, 2024. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2024-1236s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2024-1236s) was adopted on a voice vote on April 5, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On April 5, 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 and was referred to the House Public Works and Highways committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 24, 2024, with 22 people signed in online: 21 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on May 14, 2024 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted 14–3 to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On May 23, 2024 the House failed “Lay SB543 on Table” on a division vote 170–175, on a motion by Rep. Vose. On May 23, 2024 the House voted to pass it on a division vote 172–168. The bill was enrolled on June 13, 2024 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2024-2315e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor vetoed it on July 10, 2024. The legislature can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. On October 10, 2024 the Senate voted 10–13 on overriding the governor's veto on a roll call, and the veto was sustained, failing to meet the two thirds threshold.

Sponsors

• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Cindy Rosenwald (D - SD13)
• Sen. Donna Soucy (D - SD18)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Sen. Rebecca Whitley (D - SD15)
• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10)
• Sen. Suzanne Prentiss (D - SD5)
• Sen. Debra Altschiller (D - SD24)
• Sen. Shannon Chandley (D - SD11)

Hearings and Sessions

• March 5, 2024, 9:45 AM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• April 24, 2024, 11:30 AM: public hearing, House Public Works and Highways, LOB 201
• May 14, 2024, 10:30 AM: executive session, House Public Works and Highways, LOB 201

Votes

• April 5, 2024, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-1236s — voice vote, passed
• May 23, 2024, House: Lay SB543 on Table — yeas 170, nays 175, failed
• May 23, 2024, House: Ought to Pass — yeas 172, nays 168, passed
• October 10, 2024, Senate: Veto Override — yeas 10, nays 13, failed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 6:12

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 9
• SC 13
• HC 20, page 12