HB 1426-FN (2026): requiring the department of environmental services to employ certified personnel in each program area.

HB 1426-FN (2026)

requiring the department of environmental services to employ certified personnel in each program area.

• Status: Referred for interim study
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Resources, Recreation and Development
• Senate committee: Executive Departments and Administration
• Subject: Environment - Administration

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 January 14, 2026, with 3 people signed in online: 2 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on January 28, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 16–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0331h), and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0331h) was adopted on a voice vote on February 12, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On February 12, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On February 12, 2026 the bill was referred to the Finance committee. The committee held a work session on March 9, 2026. The committee met in executive session on March 17, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 25–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 26, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 26, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Executive Departments and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 8, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate study it after the session ends, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On May 7, 2026 the Senate adopted “Refer to Interim Study” on a voice vote.

Sponsors

• Rep. Steven Kesselring (R - Hills 18) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Brian Cole (R - Hills 26)
• Rep. Matt Drew (R - Hills 19)
• Rep. Pierre Dupont (R - Hills 20)
• Rep. Jay Markell (R - Rock 18)
• Rep. Bryan Morse (R - Merr 3)
• Rep. Jonathan Morton (R - Hills 39)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 14, 2026, 1:00 PM: public hearing, House Resources, Recreation and Development, GP 228
• January 28, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Resources, Recreation and Development, GP 228
• February 12, 2026: floor debate, House
• March 9, 2026, 10:00 AM: work session, House Finance, GP 230
• March 17, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Finance, GP 230
• March 26, 2026: consent calendar, House
• April 8, 2026, 9:40 AM: hearing, Senate Executive Departments and Administration, SH 103
• April 14, 2026: hearing, Senate Executive Departments and Administration
• May 7, 2026: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• February 12, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0331h — voice vote, passed
• March 26, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Refer to Interim Study — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 21-O:1

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 20
• HC 6, page 17
• HJ 4, page 47
• HJ 9, page 2
• SJ 7
• SC 13
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• House Calendar 12, 2026, committee report