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HB 1620 · 2026 · House · Environment and Agriculture Committee

Removing unused underground heating oil tanks

AI-generated

(New Title) requiring the removal of residential heating oil underground after 12 consecutive months of non-use except in certain circumstances.

Requires removal of residential underground heating oil tanks after 12 consecutive months of non-use, with certain exceptions.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill requires the removal of residential heating oil underground if a change in the heating system removes it from use or if the owner does not intend to use it in the future except in certain circumstances.

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

“In this subdivision, “residential heating oil underground storage tank” means an underground storage tank used solely for heating a residential building.”
RSA 146-A:20
“Except as provided in RSA 146-A:21, II, a residential heating oil underground storage tank shall be removed, in accordance with state fire code as defined by RSA 153:1, VI-a, if a change in the heating system removes it from use or if the owner does not intend to use it in the future.”
RSA 146-A:21
“A residential heating oil underground storage tank, required to be removed under this section, may be permanently abandoned by closure in-place, in accordance with state fire code as defined by RSA 153:1, VI-a, if removing the system would undermine the integrity of any overlying structure.”
RSA 146-A:21

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Kristine PerezRPrime
  • Rep. Ron DunnRVice Chair· Resources, Recreation and Development

Also: Rep. Louise AndrusR, Rep. Zoe ManosD

Public testimony

7 signed in online · 4 wrote testimony

86% support14% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I have been privileged to live on Mascoma Lake - six months of every year since 1995 - my sons and their families love Mascoma Lake. I want to keep Mascoma free of anything that can harm it for their lifetime too!”
— Marcella Logue, Enfieldsupports
“I support HB 1620 because leaking or abandoned fuel-oil tanks pose serious risks to soil, groundwater, and homeowners.…”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchestersupports
“It shows a hearing on HB1742 but it is not in the draw down menu so I am voting against 1742 here.”
— Karen Burnett-Kurie, Wolfeborosupports

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
  • Mar 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0936h (NT)12–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0936hadopted
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0936hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Apr 23, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 23, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 10, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture4:42:35–4:44:101m 35slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 11, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture24:23–25:301m 7slocated in the stream transcriptFull Committee Work Session
  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture3:10:13–3:11:221m 9slocated in the stream transcriptFull Committee Work Session
  • Feb 24, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture1:12:26–1:13:331m 7slocated in the stream transcriptFull Committee Work Session
  • Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture3:33:59–3:37:133m 14slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0936h (NT); Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0936h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0936h — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 24, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources21:40–23:141m 34slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 14, 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 Environment and Agriculture HJ 1 P. 28
  2. Feb 10, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/10/2026 01:30 pm GP 153
  3. Feb 11, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/11/2026 10:00 am GP153
  4. Feb 17, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/17/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  5. Feb 24, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/24/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  6. Mar 3, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 03/03/2026 10:15 am GP 153
  7. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 10:15 am GP 153
  8. Mar 3, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0936h (NT) 03/03/2026 (Vote 12-0; CC) HC 10 P. 17
  9. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0936h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 35
  10. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0936h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 35
  11. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 7
  12. Mar 24, 2026SenHearing: 03/24/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:10 am; SC 11
  13. Apr 23, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/23/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 15
  14. Apr 23, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
  15. May 14, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  16. May 14, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 154
  17. Jun 5, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 06/05/2026; Chapter 122; eff.08/04/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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