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HB 1265 · 2026 · House · Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee

Data center construction ban

AI-generated

prohibiting the construction of data centers in the state and establishing a committee to study the environmental impact of data centers.

Prohibits the construction of data centers in New Hampshire and establishes a committee to study their environmental impact.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits the construction of data centers in New Hampshire and establishes a committee to study the environmental impact of data centers.

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

“No person, business, or entity shall begin construction of a new data center in the state of New Hampshire from the effective date of this act through one year following.”
Section 1
“There is established a committee to study the environmental impact of data centers being built in New Hampshire.”
Section 2
“Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.”
Section 3
“The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.”
Section 5

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Peter SchmidtDPrime

Rep. Wendy ThomasD, Rep. Tony CaplanD

Public testimony

151 signed in online · 23 wrote testimony

94% support6% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Data centers use an alarming amount of energy. The effect of data centers should be investigated thoroughly before allowing them in our state.”
— Emily Wrubel, Hillsboroughsupports
“We need to have a clear understanding of the potential long term impact that large data centers may have on public health, the environment, and other natural resources.…”
— Aline Flores, Londonderrysupports
“Libraries should be controlled by the people and not by the government--to preserve critical thinking and avoid authoritarianism.”
— Marie Nardino, Andoversupports

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 18, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 11, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs1:26:29–1:27:361m 7slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 18, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — 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 Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 1 P. 13
  2. Feb 11, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/11/2026 11:00 am GP 229
  3. Feb 18, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/18/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  4. Feb 18, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2026 01:00 pm GP 229
  5. Feb 18, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/18/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 10 P. 7
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 10

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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