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HB 1151 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Conservation fund custody rules

AI-generated

relative to conservation commission appropriations.

Requires the city treasurer to have custody of conservation fund moneys and to disburse them only upon order of the conservation commission.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill adds that a city treasurer shall have custody of all moneys in a conservation fund and shall pay out the same only upon order of the conservation commission.

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

“The town treasurer, pursuant to RSA 41:29, or city treasurer, pursuant to RSA 48:16, shall have custody of all moneys in the conservation fund and shall pay out the same only upon order of the conservation commission.”
Section 72:1
“The city treasurer shall have custody of all moneys in a conservation fund established pursuant to RSA 36-A:5 and shall pay out the same only upon order of the conservation commission.”
Section 72:2
“The disbursement of conservation funds shall be authorized by a majority of the conservation commission.”
Section 72:1
“Prior to the use of such funds for the purchase of any interest in real property or for a contribution to a qualified organization for the purchase of property interests under RSA 36-A:4-a, I(b), the conservation commission shall hold a public hearing with notice in accordance with RSA 675:7.”
Section 72:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jim MaggioreDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Municipal and County Government

Public testimony

3 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

33% support67% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I strongly believe that Conservation Commissions should continue to operate independently of Town Hall, which can be political and often dysfunctional. Please do not change the parameters of how a Conservation Commission can operate and administer its duties.”
— Dawn Quirk, Warneropposes
“Conservation commissions need stable funding to do their work effectively.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchesteropposes

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
  • Feb 17, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 9, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 9, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government2:37:00–2:40:293m 29slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government1:07:34–1:10:593m 25slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Executive Session
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 18, 2026Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs1:18:22–1:21:333m 11slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 7, 2026Floor 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 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 1 P. 8
  2. Feb 3, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/03/2026 11:40 am GP 154
  3. Feb 20, 2026House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 02/20/2026 09:00 am GP 154
  4. Feb 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/17/2026 09:00 am GP 154
  5. Feb 17, 2026House: Ought to Pass 02/17/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 9 P. 21
  6. Mar 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 27
  7. Mar 5, 2026SenIntroduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 6
  8. Mar 18, 2026SenHearing: 03/18/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:50 pm; SC 10
  9. Apr 9, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/09/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 13
  10. Apr 9, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
  11. May 7, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12
  12. May 7, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 39
  13. May 18, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/18/2026; Chapter 72; eff.07/17/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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