requiring the removal of residential heating oil underground after 12 consecutive months of non-use except in certain circumstances.

The bill header changed from 'AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE' to 'VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES,' indicating the Senate agreed to the House's version without further amendments.

A page number (08/06) was added to the document, which is a formatting change only.

The bill's scope was narrowed from all 'on-premises-use fuel oil tanks' on residential properties to specifically 'residential heating oil underground storage tanks used solely for heating a residential building.' This excludes commercial tanks and above-ground residential tanks.

The trigger for action changed. The original required action after 12 consecutive months of non-use (a time-based 'abandonment' definition). The amended version triggers removal when 'a change in the heating system removes it from use or if the owner does not intend to use it in the future,' which is event-based and more subjective.

The original had different requirements based on tank location: tanks beneath structures could be filled in place with inert material, while outdoor tanks had to be physically removed within 180 days. The amended version makes physical removal the default requirement, with closure in-place allowed only as an exception when removal would undermine the integrity of an overlying structure.

The disclosure requirement was simplified. The original required sellers to disclose the presence and status of the tank AND make available soil test results. The amended version only requires 'information relative to the presence' of the tank as part of standard conveyance disclosures under RSA 477:4-d.

The original included a rulemaking section giving the Department of Environmental Services authority to adopt specific rules for soil sampling, remediation, and tank closure under RSA 541-A. This was removed entirely in the amendment.

The amendment adds a reference to state fire code (RSA 153:1, VI-a) as the governing standard for how removal or closure in-place must be performed, replacing the original's reference to 'best management practices' and department rules.

The original 180-day deadline for removing outdoor tanks was removed. The amended version sets no specific timeline for when removal must occur after a tank is taken out of use.