HB 1141-FN (2026): relative to permitting and fee authority for mining and prospecting.

HB 1141-FN (2026)

relative to permitting and fee authority for mining and prospecting.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Resources, Recreation and Development
• Senate committee: Energy and Natural Resources
• Subject: Environment - Conservation
• Chapter law: 292

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Resources, Recreation and Development committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 4, 2026, with 101 people signed in online: 100 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee held a public hearing on February 11, 2026 on a proposed non-germane amendment (2026-0430h), with 12 people signed in online: 10 in support and 2 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on February 11, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 16–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0532h), and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0532h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 5, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 5, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 5, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 21, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1723s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1723s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 7, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 21, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1723s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Robert Harb. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2026-2162e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 10, 2026, making it Chapter 292 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Tony Caplan (D - Merr 8) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Peter Bixby (D - Straf 13)
• Rep. Nicholas Germana (D - Ches 15)
• Rep. Lucius Parshall (D - Ches 8)
• Rep. Ellen Read (D - Rock 10)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 4, 2026, 1:30 PM: public hearing, House Resources, Recreation and Development, GP 228
• February 11, 2026, 1:30 PM: executive session, House Resources, Recreation and Development, GP 228
• March 5, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 21, 2026, 9:10 AM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• May 7, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 5, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0532h — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1723s — voice vote, passed
• May 21, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1723s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 485-A:2
• RSA 485-A
• RSA 485-A:17
• RSA 227-C:8-a
• RSA 21-O:12
• RSA 155-E:2-a
• RSA 483:12-a
• RSA 12-E
• RSA 6:12
• RSA 482-A:3

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 8
• HC 9, page 45
• HJ 6, page 130
• SJ 6
• SC 15
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• HJ 14, page 22
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, pages 46 and 56
• SJ 15