SB 592-FN (2026): enabling regional, conservation, and energy resource planning for habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors and creating a commission to study transferring ownership of the Winnipesaukee River Basin program to an alternative authority.

SB 592-FN (2026)

enabling regional, conservation, and energy resource planning for habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors and creating a commission to study transferring ownership of the Winnipesaukee River Basin program to an alternative authority.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Resources, Recreation and Development
• Senate committee: Energy and Natural Resources
• Subject: Environment - Conservation
• Chapter law: 337

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 8, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0516s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0516s) was adopted on a voice vote on February 19, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On February 19, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on February 19, 2026 and was referred to the House Resources, Recreation and Development committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 25, 2026, with 47 people signed in online: 45 in support and 2 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 25, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 15–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1277h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1277h) was adopted on a voice vote on April 9, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On April 9, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On April 9, 2026 the bill was referred to the Finance committee. The committee held a work session on April 20, 2026. The committee met in executive session on April 27, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 24–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the regular calendar. On May 7, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. On May 14, 2026 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Kevin Avard. 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 (2026-2196e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 15, 2026, making it Chapter 337 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Debra Altschiller (D - SD24)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Rep. Peter Bixby (D - Straf 13)
• Rep. Cathryn Harvey (D - Ches 6)
• Rep. Mike Ouellet (R - Coos 3)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Sen. Cindy Rosenwald (D - SD13)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 8, 2026, 1:15 PM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• February 19, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 25, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Resources, Recreation and Development, GP 228
• March 25, 2026, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Resources, Recreation and Development, GP 228
• April 9, 2026: consent calendar, House
• April 20, 2026, 10:00 AM: work session, House Finance, GP 234
• April 27, 2026, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Finance, GP 230
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, House
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• February 19, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0516s — voice vote, passed
• April 9, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1277h — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 36-A:2
• RSA 36:45
• RSA 36:47
• RSA 206:10
• RSA 21-O
• RSA 94:1-a
• RSA 21-O:14-b

Related Bills

• HB 1585 (2018): requiring conservation commissions to keep a natural resources inventory.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 6
• SJ 4
• HJ 5, page 127
• HJ 10, pages 15 and 16
• HC 18, page 12
• HJ 12, page 24
• SJ 12
• HJ 15, page 53
• SJ 14
• SJ 15
• House Calendar 14, 2026, committee report