SB 493 · 2026 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Cyanobacteria water quality districts
AI-generatedrelative to cyanobacteria and other emerging environmental water quality issues.
Allows the creation of village districts to address cyanobacteria and other water quality issues.AI-generated
Status
Referred to interim study (Senate) · March 12, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕Senate
- House
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill allows for the creation of village districts for the purpose of addressing cyanobacteria and other related water quality issues.
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
“Any village district organized under the provisions of this chapter may at a regular or special village district meeting vote to cooperate or act jointly with other village districts or with towns to defray expenses and take other appropriate action necessary to implement cyanobacteria mitigation projects and to participate in programs supported by state or federal agencies and funding.”
“Every village district annually by an article in the warrant may establish and contribute to a contingency and reserve fund to meet the cost of unanticipated expenses that may arise during the year, and to create a reserve fund for cyanobacteria mitigation and water quality protection.”
“For the purposes of providing public facilities and services within any special assessment district, the town or city, or towns and cities, or village districts established under RSA 52:1 may apply jointly for funds available under RSA 487:15 through 25 and RSA 485-A:58 through 61, and any other state or federal sources.”
“Such village district may enter into agreements with other districts or towns for the purposes hereof and in such case the agreement shall be governed by the conditions set.”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
- Sen. Howard PearlRVice Chair· Energy and Natural Resources
- Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
- Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
- Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader
- Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
- Rep. Nicholas GermanaDDeputy Democratic Floor Leader
Also: Sen. Donovan FentonD, Sen. Debra AltschillerD, Rep. Nancy MurphyD, Rep. Wendy ThomasD, Rep. Rosemarie RungD
Public testimony
No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record
Votes
yeanay- Mar 12, 2026SenateCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study3–2Overall60% yea
- Mar 12, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted
Hearings and debates
- Feb 10, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources1:43:11–1:44:191m 8slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
- Mar 12, 2026Floor debateSenate floor46:36–52:315m 55slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — adopted, voice vote
Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.
Legislative history
- Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 1
- Feb 10, 2026SenHearing: 02/10/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:40 am; SC 4
- Mar 12, 2026SenCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 03/12/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 9
- Mar 12, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.