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HB 526 · 2025 · House · Science, Technology and Energy Committee

Climate change division at DES

AI-generated

establishing a climate change and damage division in the department of environmental services.

Establishes a climate change and damage division within the department of environmental services, creates a director position, and enumerates the division's duties.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · February 6, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a climate change and damage division within the department of environmental services, establishes a director of the division, and enumerates the duties thereof.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“There is established within the department a division of climate change and damage under the supervision of an unclassified director of climate change and damage.”
RSA 21-O:14-a
“The director of climate change and damage shall be nominated by the commissioner of the department of environmental services from a list of 3 candidates for appointed by the governor, with the consent of the council, and shall serve a term of 4 years until a successor is appointed.”
RSA 21-O:14-a
“The director of climate change and damage shall be academically and technically qualified to hold the position.”
RSA 21-O:14-a
“The director of climate change and damage shall be responsible for the following functions:”
RSA 21-O:14-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Wendy ThomasDPrime

Public testimony

35 signed in online · 6 wrote testimony

80% support20% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am not in favor of my tax dollars going to fund private education. We have free access to public education, and those who choose to send their children to private schools should be on their own dime.…”
— Joline Manseau, Hollissupports
“We've all seen the changing extremes in our weather which is damaging NH's infrastructure and homes. HB 526 will enable NH to be proactive instead of reactive as NH experiences more drought, flooding etc.”
— Abby Evankow, Gorhamsupports
“It is time to stop wasting taxpayer money on the climate change hoax.”
— Cindy Kudlik, Graftonopposes
“This is a waste of my tax dollars and a feel good position that will have no positive effect on NH's response to climate change. Encourage DES to modify duties and scopes of existing positions instead. I'll donate a red swingline stapler to their efforts.”
— Simon Berrio, Daltonopposes
“This is a total waste. Proposes a new division with grandiose expectations of predicting the future and developing master planning to compensate for its foreseen disasters from climate change. Totally imagination gone wild and willing to piss away state funds chasing ghosts..”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 21, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Feb 6, 2025HouseVoice voteLay HB526 on Table (Rep. Osborne)adopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 21, 2025Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy5:41:24–5:42:581m 34slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 6, 2025Floor debateHouse floor3:57:02–4:01:264m 24slocated in the stream transcriptLay HB526 on Table (Rep. Osborne) — adopted, voice vote
  • Dec 17, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamDied on Table, Session ended

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 3 P. 14
  2. Jan 21, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2025 02:00 pm LOB 302-304
  3. Jan 21, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/21/2025 03:30 pm LOB 302-304
  4. Jan 21, 2025HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/21/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 10 P. 12
  5. Jan 30, 2025HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
  6. Feb 6, 2025HouseLay HB526 on Table (Rep. Osborne): MA VV 02/06/2025 HJ 4 P. 42
  7. Dec 17, 2025HouseDied on Table, Session ended 12/17/2025 HJ 19

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.