HB 215-FN (2026): requiring a landfill permit applicant to submit a report listing potential harms and benefits of the project.

HB 215-FN (2026)

requiring a landfill permit applicant to submit a report listing potential harms and benefits of the project.

• 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 8, 2025 and referred to the House Environment and Agriculture committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 21, 2025, with 82 people signed in online: 78 in support and 4 in opposition. The committee held work sessions on January 28, 2025, February 4, 2025, February 11, 2025 and February 18, 2025. The committee met in executive session on February 18, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 13–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0335h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-0335h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 6, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 6, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On March 6, 2025 the bill was referred to the Finance committee. The committee held a work session on March 14, 2025. The committee met in executive session on April 1, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee held a work session on October 2, 2025. The committee met in executive session on October 30, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 25–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-2970h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-2970h) was adopted on a voice vote on January 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On January 7, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on January 29, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 16, 2026. The committee voted 3–2 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. Nicholas Germana (D - Ches 15) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Peter Bixby (D - Straf 13)
• Rep. James Gruber (D - Ches 16)
• Rep. Seth King (R - Coos 4)
• Rep. Kelley Potenza (R - Straf 19)
• Rep. Jared Sullivan (D - Graf 2)
• Rep. Wendy Thomas (D - Hills 12)
• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10)
• Sen. David Rochefort (R - SD1)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 21, 2025, 10:30 AM: public hearing, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• January 28, 2025, 11:00 AM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• February 4, 2025, 9:30 AM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• February 11, 2025, 9:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• February 11, 2025, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• February 18, 2025, 9:30 AM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• February 18, 2025, 10:45 AM: executive session, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• March 6, 2025: floor debate, House
• March 14, 2025, 10:00 AM: work session, House Finance, LOB 212
• April 1, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Finance, LOB 210-211
• October 2, 2025, 1:00 PM: work session, House Finance, GP 230
• October 30, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Finance, GP 230
• January 7, 2026: consent calendar, House
• April 16, 2026, 1:10 PM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• May 7, 2026: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• March 6, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0335h — voice vote, passed
• January 7, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-2970h — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Refer to Interim Study — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 149-M:11

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 14, page 8
• HC 51, page 10
• HJ 1, page 70
• SC 14
• SC 17
• SJ 11