SB 598 (2026): establishing the cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant fund task force.

SB 598 (2026)

establishing the cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant fund task force.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Resources, Recreation and Development
• Senate committee: Energy and Natural Resources
• Subject: Environment - Administration
• Chapter law: 140

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 February 10, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0780s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0780s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 5, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 5, 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 March 12, 2026 and was referred to the House Resources, Recreation and Development committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 25, 2026, with 119 people signed in online: 115 in support and 4 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, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On April 9, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on May 21, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2026-1889e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on June 12, 2026, making it Chapter 140 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Sen. Mark McConkey (R - SD3) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Karel Crawford (R - Carr 3)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Rep. John MacDonald (R - Carr 6)
• Rep. Katy Peternel (R - Carr 6)
• Rep. Brian Taylor (R - Carr 8)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 10, 2026, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• March 5, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 25, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Resources, Recreation and Development, GP 228
• March 25, 2026, 2:00 PM: public hearing, House Resources, Recreation and Development, GP 228
• April 9, 2026: consent calendar, House

Votes

• March 5, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0780s — voice vote, passed
• April 9, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 485-A
• RSA 485-A:62

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 4
• SC 8
• SJ 5
• HJ 8, page 114
• HJ 10, page 15
• HJ 12, page 40
• SJ 12
• SJ 14
• HJ 14, page 34
• House Calendar 14, 2026, committee report