SB 644-FN (2026): requiring background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility owners.

SB 644-FN (2026)

requiring background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility owners.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Environment and Agriculture
• Senate committee: Energy and Natural Resources
• Subject: Animals
• Chapter law: 145

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 20, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On January 29, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it 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 Environment and Agriculture committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 31, 2026, with 12 people signed in online: 11 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee held work sessions on April 7, 2026, April 14, 2026 and April 28, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 13–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On May 7, 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. The governor signed it on June 12, 2026, making it Chapter 145 of the session laws. It took effect on August 11, 2026.

Sponsors

• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Judy Aron (R - Sull 4)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Rep. Peter Bixby (D - Straf 13)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Rep. Michael Moffett (R - Merr 4)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 20, 2026, 9:20 AM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• January 29, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 31, 2026, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• April 7, 2026, 1:00 PM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• April 14, 2026, 1:30 PM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• April 28, 2026, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• May 7, 2026: consent calendar, House

Votes

• January 29, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 147-A:4
• RSA 147-A:4-b
• RSA 149-M:9
• RSA 149-M:10

Related Bills

• SB 302-FN (2025): requiring background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility owners, establishing a solid waste site evaluation committee and temporarily suspends the issuance of solid waste permits by the department of environmental services, relative to the confiscation of animals from persons suspected of or charged with abuse of animals, and establishing a committee to study the animal cruelty statutes.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 1
• SC 3
• SJ 2
• HJ 5, page 127
• HC 18, page 7
• HJ 12, page 8
• SJ 14
• HJ 14, page 34