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HB 1614 · 2026 · House · Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee

Ban on coal tar driveway sealants

AI-generated

restricting the use of coal tar-based sealant products containing levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Prohibits, starting January 1, 2027, the sale or application of coal tar-based sealant products containing high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on driveways and parking areas, with limited research and development exemptions.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill restricts the use of coal tar-based sealant products containing high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

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

“A person may request an exemption from the prohibitions in?RSA 125-T:2?by submitting a written request to the commissioner of the department of environmental services.”
RSA 125-T:3
“The commissioner may exempt a person from the prohibitions in RSA 125-T:2 if the commissioner determines that the person is researching the effects of a coal tar sealant product on the environment or the person is developing an alternative technology and the use of a coal tar sealant product is required for research or development. ?”
RSA 125-T:3

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Allison KnabDPrimeRanking Member· Resources, Recreation, and Development
  • Rep. Karen EbelDDemocratic Leader Pro Tempore
  • Rep. Jaci GroteDDemocratic Advisor
  • Rep. Dennis MalloyDDeputy Ranking Member· Ways and Means

Also: Rep. Rosemarie RungD, Rep. Alice WadeD, Rep. Zoe ManosD

Public testimony

153 signed in online · 52 wrote testimony

94% support6% oppose0% neutral

ForPAH runoff and dust contaminate lakes, streams, and aquatic life

AgainstProduct is effective, safe, and a bill limits consumer choice

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“February 9, 2026 Dear Honorable Representative, Thank you for serving as a New Hampshire representative and working with the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee.…”
— Kathleen Sciarappa, Mirror Lake · Mirror Lake Protective Associationsupports
“Driveway sealant is marketed by the industry that sells it as a necessary treatment to extend the life of pavement. This is false! You can verify this for yourself by looking around any neighborhood and seeing the tire marks where the sealant has worn away on the driveways.…”
— Diana Carpinone, Doversupports
“Please support this bill. Simply put, coal tar-based sealants contain exptreemly high levels of PAHs, which are carcinogenic compounds toxic to aquatic life.”
— Jeffrey Lapid, Swanzeysupports
“Coal tar sealant is the most effective product to protect everybody's driveway asset. It has been safely used for a century without any blame-finger pointing at it. Another ban is just asking to narrow customer choice and drive up prices.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes
“I was disheartened to hear testimony regarding H1614 at the Commerce and Consumer Affairs hearing today that was inaccurate and misleading.…”
— Brian Riggs, Mullica Hillopposes

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: Refer for Interim Study15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteRefer for Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 11, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs1:18:04–1:23:275m 23slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 18, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study; Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamRefer for Interim Study — 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. 28
  2. Feb 11, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/11/2026 10:45 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, 2026House: Refer for Interim Study 02/18/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 10 P. 9
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 12

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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