HB 1478-FN (2026): requiring the department of environmental services to revise the rules for proposed new landfills.

HB 1478-FN (2026)

requiring the department of environmental services to revise the rules for proposed new landfills.

• Status: Referred for interim study
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Environment and Agriculture
• Senate committee: Energy and Natural Resources
• Subject: Environment - Administration

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Environment and Agriculture committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 24, 2026, with 66 people signed in online: 65 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee held a work session on March 3, 2026. The committee met in executive session on March 3, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted 12–1 to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0975h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0975h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 11, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 11, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 14, 2026. The committee voted 4–1 to recommend that the Senate study it after the session ends. On May 7, 2026 the Senate adopted “Refer to Interim Study, RC 13Y-9N”.

Sponsors

• Rep. Kelley Potenza (R - Straf 19) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Judy Aron (R - Sull 4)
• Rep. Liz Barbour (R - Hills 35)
• Rep. Anita Burroughs (D - Carr 2)
• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10)
• Rep. Nicholas Germana (D - Ches 15)
• Rep. James Gruber (D - Ches 16)
• Rep. Seth King (R - Coos 4)
• Sen. Denise Ricciardi (R - SD9)
• Sen. David Rochefort (R - SD1)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 24, 2026, 1:00 PM: public hearing, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• March 3, 2026, 10:15 AM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• March 3, 2026, 10:15 AM: executive session, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• March 11, 2026: consent calendar, House
• April 14, 2026, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• March 11, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0975h — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Interim Study — yeas 13, nays 9, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 149-M:7
• RSA 149-M:9

Related Bills

• HB 707-FN (2026): establishing a solid waste site evaluation committee.
• SB 180-FN (2025): designating Coos county as a distressed place-based economy and requiring the department of environmental services to revise the rules for proposed new landfills.
• HB 2-FN-A-LOCAL (2025): relative to state fees, funds, revenues, and expenditures.
• SB 180-FN (2025): designating Coos county as a distressed place-based economy and requiring the department of environmental services to revise the rules for proposed new landfills.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 22
• HC 10, page 17
• HJ 7, page 34
• SJ 7
• SC 14
• SC 17
• SJ 11