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HB 416 · 2025 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Ban on dumping yard waste

AI-generated

prohibiting the intentional disposal of yard waste into the surface waters of the state.

Prohibits intentionally dumping solid waste, including yard waste, into the state's surface waters, with escalating penalties ranging from a violation to a felony for repeat or knowing offenses.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 22, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits the intentional disposal of yard waste into the surface waters of the state and provides a penalty therefor.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“For any violation of this section any authorized member or agent of the department of environmental services [shall] may order the immediate removal of material involved in the violation, by the person responsible for the material in question.”
RSA 485-A:15
“The authority to enforce this section shall extend to all peace officers in the state of New Hampshire, as defined by RSA 594:1, III.”
RSA 485-A:15
“For a first offense, any person who purposely or recklessly violates paragraph I shall be guilty of a violation.”
RSA 485-A:15
“For any second or subsequent offense, any person who purposely or recklessly violates paragraph I shall be guilty of a misdemeanor if a natural person, or guilty of a felony if any other person.”
RSA 485-A:15

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Rosemarie RungDPrime
  • Rep. Karel CrawfordRClerk· Transportation
  • Rep. Karen EbelDDemocratic Leader Pro Tempore
  • Rep. John MacDonaldRVice Chair· Municipal and County Government

Also: Rep. Richard BrownR, Rep. Nancy MurphyD, Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

181 signed in online · 87 wrote testimony

92% support8% oppose0% neutral

ForYard waste nutrients fuel harmful cyanobacteria and algae blooms

AgainstKey terms like 'yard waste' and 'intentional' are too vague

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“As president of the Contoocook Lake Area Preservation Association (CLAPA), I am writing on behalf of our organization in support of this bill. CLAPA is a 150-member voluntary association dedicated to preserving and protecting the health and beauty of our lake.…”
— Michael Golibersuch, rindge · Contoocook Lake Area Preservation Association (CLAPA)supports
“As a forty-year steward of Lake Kanasatka in Moultonborough, I ask you to support House Bill 416-FN. As you might know, Lake Kanasatka suffered extreme cyanobacteria blooms from 2020 until 2024, rendering the lake unsafe for swimming through most of those summers.…”
— Kevin Kelly, Moultonboroughsupports
“Good afternoon, I urge you to support HB 416 to protect NH lakes, ponds, rivers and streams from further degradation caused by the deposit of yard litter (grass clippings, leaves, pine needles and the like) into these bodies of water.…”
— Chris Wallace, Moultonboroughsupports
“Who will determine the amount of leaves or grass clippings is a violation? A passing motorist, a disgruntled neighbor, an envious visitor? If I’m blowing my deck and a small amount of leaves go into the lake will I be subject to a fine?…”
— Richard Fulford, Merrimackopposes
“Ducks, fish, birds ... all crap in surface water, but this bill says biodegradable grass clippings are bad? This bill does not even identify the supposed "evil" result from yard waste. Get real.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes
“I urge you not to approve this bill. Is this a common enough problem that it rises to the level of needing a law passed?…”
— Kenneth DeLong, Hollisopposes

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

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 22, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety3:33:43–3:36:182m 35slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 7, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety34:14–37:153m 1slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0191h; Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0191h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0191h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 8, 2025Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources16:16–37:2121m 5slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 15, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2141s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-2141s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-2141s — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 12, 2025Floor debateHouse floor26:17–27:311m 14slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1711s (Rep. Roy) — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

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 Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 3 P. 8
  2. Jan 22, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2025 01:30 pm LOB 301-303
  3. Mar 7, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/07/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  4. Mar 7, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0191h 03/07/2025 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 17 P. 9
  5. Mar 26, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0191h: AA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 12
  6. Mar 26, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0191h: MA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 12
  7. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 10
  8. Apr 8, 2025SenHearing: 04/08/2025, Room 103, SH, 09:15 am; SC 16
  9. May 15, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2141s, 05/15/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 21A
  10. May 15, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-2141s, AA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  11. May 15, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2141s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  12. Jun 12, 2025HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1711s (Rep. Roy): MA VV 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 2
  13. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  14. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 59
  15. Jul 15, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2025; Chapter 187; eff. 01/01/2026 HJ 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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