HB 1655-FN (2026): establishing a funding source for maintaining state owned dams.

HB 1655-FN (2026)

establishing a funding source for maintaining state owned dams.

• Status: Died on the table
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Resources, Recreation and Development
• 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 21, 2026, with 74 people signed in online: 3 in support and 71 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on January 28, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0170h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 10–6. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On February 12, 2026 the House failed “Lay HB1655 on Table” on a division vote 173–179, on a motion by Rep. Michael Granger. The committee's amendment (2026-0170h) 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 roll call 208–146. On February 12, 2026 the bill was referred to the Ways and Means committee. The committee held a work session on March 2, 2026. The committee met in executive session on March 2, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee recommended, on a tied vote of 9–9, which carries no majority, that the House make no recommendation, and the report was placed on the regular calendar. On March 26, 2026 the House adopted “Lay HB1655 on Table” on a roll call 187–161, on a motion by Rep. John Janigian. The bill died on the table when the session ended on August 19, 2026, having been set aside and never taken back up.

Sponsors

• Rep. Will Darby (D - Hills 11) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Ron Dunn (R - Rock 16)
• Rep. Dennis Malloy (D - Rock 24)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 21, 2026, 10:45 AM: 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 2, 2026, 11:00 AM: full committee work session, House Ways and Means, GP 159
• March 2, 2026, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Ways and Means, GP 159
• March 26, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• February 12, 2026, House: Lay HB1655 on Table — yeas 173, nays 179, failed
• February 12, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 208, nays 146, passed
• March 26, 2026, House: Lay on Table — yeas 187, nays 161, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 76
• RSA 482:57

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 30
• HC 6, page 17
• HJ 4, pages 48, 49 and 51
• HJ 9, page 49
• HJ 16