HB 1265 prohibits the construction of new data centers in New Hampshire for one year from its effective date, affecting developers and businesses planning such facilities. It establishes a four-member committee (three House members appointed by the Speaker, one Senate member appointed by the President) to study the environmental impact of data centers. The committee must submit interim findings by November 1, 2025, and a final report by November 1, 2026, to legislative leaders and the governor. The bill does not ban existing data centers or address operational impacts, only pausing new construction while studying environmental effects.
HB 1426 requires New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services (DES) to ensure every program area with regulatory, permitting, or enforcement duties has at least one certified professional available on call. This applies to all DES program areas and can be met through hiring certified staff, training existing employees, or contracting with certified individuals. The bill specifies that certified personnel must hold valid program-specific certifications and exempts them from certain fee requirements or conflict-of-interest certification maintenance. DES estimates potential annual costs between $100,000 and $500,000 starting in 2028, though it does not provide new funding. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2027.
HB 1748 establishes the New Hampshire Energy Efficiency and Resource Development Authority, a new independent nonprofit body separate from state government. The authority will coordinate all state energy efficiency programs (like home heating improvements and business energy upgrades) to reduce costs for residents and businesses, while also promoting nuclear power development and related industries. It will be governed by a 10-member board including state energy officials, utility regulators, consumer advocates, and four governor-appointed public members. The bill directly affects all New Hampshire residents and businesses by consolidating scattered energy efficiency programs under one agency and advancing nuclear power initiatives as part of the state's energy strategy.
SB 599 changes how leftover funds from electricity provider payments are used in New Hampshire's renewable energy fund. First, up to $1 million annually must cover administrative costs for the Department of Energy. Remaining funds must then support thermal and electrical renewable energy initiatives, but cannot be used for individual residential solar projects. Any leftover funds after these allocations are transferred to the state general fund. The bill applies to funds collected from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.
HB 1018 prohibits the use of four specific rat poisons (brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, and difethialone) in New Hampshire, primarily affecting pest control businesses, property owners, and general commercial users. The ban takes effect January 1, 2027, with key exceptions allowing these products for public health activities (like protecting drinking water or controlling documented infestations), medical waste facilities, and certain agricultural settings including food storage warehouses, slaughterhouses, and breweries. The law does not ban all rodenticides, only these four second-generation anticoagulant types. It directly changes pesticide regulations under RSA 430:41.
HB 97 appropriates $15 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the General Fund to the Department of Environmental Services. This funding supports approved wastewater infrastructure projects under state law, directly benefiting local wastewater systems and communities requiring upgrades. The money is nonlapsing, meaning unused funds carry over to future years, and must be used for projects approved by June 30, 2026. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, with no new state positions created.
HB 1676 restricts the sale of certain rodenticides containing high-risk active ingredients (like brodifacoum, bromadiolone, and warfarin) to unlicensed individuals in New Hampshire. It requires sellers to verify that buyers are certified pesticide applicators or registered agricultural operations before any sale - whether in-person, online, or via catalog - documenting this verification for three years. The law prohibits internet or remote sales without this verification and imposes civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation. It takes effect January 1, 2027, directly affecting consumers and retailers selling these products.
HB 1297 prevents individuals from acquiring ownership of property held under the public trust doctrine (such as beaches, waterways, or public lands) through long-term occupation without permission. It amends New Hampshire law to explicitly include such public trust property in the prohibition against adverse possession, alongside existing protections for town houses, schoolhouses, and church lots. This clarifies that the public cannot lose access to these shared resources due to prolonged, unauthorized use by private individuals. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 1414 allows dogs to be present year-round in all New Hampshire state parks when under the owner's control. Dogs must be leashed to a maximum of 6 feet or reliably controlled through other approved methods. The bill prohibits blanket park-wide dog bans, restricting access only in specific areas like swimming zones, beaches during peak seasons, environmentally sensitive sites, or temporary events (e.g., Mount Sunapee arts festival). It takes effect July 1, 2026, and requires the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to follow these rules without overriding them with conflicting policies.
SB 440 modifies how New Hampshire municipalities can create energy-efficient and clean energy districts. It requires towns without charters (and village districts) to hold at least one public hearing before adopting such districts, with specific notice rules: 10-day advance notice posted in two public locations (including the municipality's website), detailing district boundaries and proposals. The bill also allows 50 registered voters to petition for a town meeting vote on district adoption. These changes streamline the process while adding transparency and community input requirements, directly affecting local governments seeking to establish district-based energy initiatives.
