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HB 1141 · 2026 · House · Resources, Recreation and Development Committee

Mining and prospecting permit fees

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to permitting and fee authority for mining and prospecting.

Adds definitions for mining-related terms, authorizes rulemaking for permitting, reclamation, and fees based on mineral volume, halts disturbance of human remains encountered during permitted mining or prospecting, and establishes a transition period for pending applications.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 16, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill adds definitions for mining-related terms, authorizes rulemaking for permitting, reclamation, and fees based on mineral volume, ceases disturbance of human remains encountered during permitted mining or prospecting activities, and establishes a transition period for pending applications under the current law.

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

““Reclamation” means the restoration of the affected site by grading, backfilling, compacting, and landscaping to a comparable natural contour and the reestablishment of a diverse, effective, permanent vegetative cover of the same variety previously occurring in the area which is capable of self-regeneration and plant succession equal to or greater than the land's productive capacity prior to the mining activities.”
RSA 485-A:2-a
“"Rock" means granite, schist, quartzite, and any other solid material consisting of minerals.”
RSA 485-A:2-a
““Prospect” means to explore for ores, rocks, or minerals performed by a company or professional agent in the business of mineral deposit exploration and development, using mechanized equipment such as a core drill. 292:5 New Paragraph;”
RSA 485-A:2-a
“Such rules for public hearings shall also include a deadline by which the department shall issue a decision after the public hearing. 292:6 Terrain Alteration.”
RSA 485-A:2-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Tony CaplanDPrime
  • Rep. Peter BixbyDRanking Member· Environment and Agriculture
  • Rep. Nicholas GermanaDDeputy Democratic Floor Leader
  • Rep. Ellen ReadDDeputy Ranking Member· Housing

Also: Rep. Lucius ParshallD

Public testimony

113 signed in online · 36 wrote testimony

97% support3% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The Fish & Game department needs to be able to draw from a broad spectrum of science-based methods for managing and controlling wildlife in New Hampshire, not just relying on public hunting and fishing to do the job.”
— Bonnie Hill, South Suttonsupports
“My family business of lake tourism depends on having clean water. We need this bill.”
— Sarah Thorne, Holdernesssupports
“Protect water at all costs. We need it to live, the ecosystems that provide us food, medicine, and clean air need it. Profit is not a reason to deprive communities of their natural resources they need for survival.”
— Michaela Janowski, Eppingsupports
“I oppose this bill because the government has failed to protect the public from polluted municipal water”
— Samuel Hoehn, Lancasteropposes

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

  • Feb 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development4:59:17–5:00:491m 32slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 11, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development1:56:14–2:00:144mlocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0532h (NT) — roll call; Public Hearing on non-germane Amendment # 2026-0430h; Executive Session
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floor7:45:03–7:46:111m 8slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0532h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0532h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 21, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources11:06–12:151m 9slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1723s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1723s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1723s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateHouse floor3:52:57–3:54:051m 8slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1723s (Rep. Harb) — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2162e Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2162e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 1 P. 8
  2. Feb 4, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2026 01:30 pm GP 228
  3. Feb 11, 2026HousePublic Hearing on non-germane Amendment # 2026-0430h: 02/11/2026 11:30 am GP 228
  4. Feb 11, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/11/2026 01:30 pm GP 228
  5. Feb 11, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0532h (NT) 02/11/2026 (Vote 16-0; RC) HC 9 P. 45
  6. Mar 5, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0532h: AA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 130
  7. Mar 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0532h: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 130
  8. Mar 5, 2026SenIntroduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 6
  9. Apr 21, 2026SenHearing: 04/21/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:10 am; SC 15
  10. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1723s, 05/07/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 17
  11. May 7, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1723s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  12. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1723s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  13. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1723s (Rep. Harb): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 22
  14. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2162e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  15. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2162e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  16. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  17. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
  18. Jul 10, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 292; eff. I. Sec 9-12 eff 7/10/2028 II. Rem eff 7/10/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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