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SB 592 · 2026 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Wildlife corridor and river basin planning

AI-generated

enabling regional, conservation, and energy resource planning for habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors and creating a commission to study transferring ownership of the Winnipesaukee River Basin program to an alternative authority.

Enables regional conservation and energy resource planning for habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors, creates a commission to study transferring the Winnipesaukee River Basin program, and establishes a director position for the program.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 17, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Enables regional, conservation, and energy resource planning for habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors. II. Creates a commission to study transferring ownership of the Winnipesaukee River Basin program to an alternative authority. III. Creates the position of director of the Winnipesaukee River Basin program within the department of environmental services.

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

“A city or town which accepts the provisions of this chapter may establish a conservation commission, hereinafter called the commission, for the proper utilization and protection of the natural resources and for the protection of watershed resources of said city or town.”
RSA 36-A:2
“The aforesaid plan shall be made in order to promote the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the region and its inhabitants.”
RSA 36:45
“There is established in the office of the commissioner the unclassified position of director of the Winnipesaukee River Basin program (WRBP).”
RSA 21-O:14-a
“There is established a commission to study transferring ownership and/or operation of the Winnipesaukee River Basin program (WRBP) to an alternative authority which supports the municipalities served by the WRBP.”
RSA 21-O:14-b

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. David WattersDPrime
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRChair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Rep. Cathryn HarveyDRanking Member· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Peter BixbyDRanking Member· Environment and Agriculture
  • Rep. Mike OuelletRVice Chair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources

Also: Sen. Debra AltschillerD

Public testimony

47 signed in online · 10 wrote testimony

96% support4% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The Rivers Management Advisory Committee (RMAC) is writing to express its support of Senate Bill 592, which allows regional planning commissions to include habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors in their plans.…”
— Michele L Tremblay, Webster · New Hampshire Rivers Management Advisory Committeesupports
“This environmental bill is very important to NH and our way of life.”
— NANCY SHERIDAN, TAMWORTHsupports
“I support enabling regional, conservation, and energy resource planning for habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors and creating a commission to study transferring ownership of Winnipesaukee River Basin program to an alternative authority.”
— Greg Marsello, Jacksonsupports

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

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 8, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources33:21–37:244m 3slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0516s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0516s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0516s — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development2:08:41–2:13:094m 28slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1277h; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1277h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-1277h — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Finance
  • Apr 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance - Division I59:27–1:00:561m 29slocated in the stream transcriptDivision I Work Session
  • Apr 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance1:41–6:334m 52slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Executive Session
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floor6:44:34–6:45:1137slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Avard Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2196e Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2196e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 1
  2. Jan 8, 2026SenHearing: 01/08/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:15 pm; SC 46
  3. Feb 19, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0516s, 02/19/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 6
  4. Feb 19, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0516s, AA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  5. Feb 19, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0516s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 5 P. 127
  7. Mar 25, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/25/2026 11:00 am GP 228
  8. Mar 25, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/25/2026 10:00 am GP 228
  9. Mar 25, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1277h 03/25/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC)
  10. Apr 9, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1277h: AA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 15
  11. Apr 9, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1277h: MA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 15
  12. Apr 9, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 16
  13. Apr 20, 2026HouseDivision I Work Session: 04/20/2026 10:00 am GP 234
  14. Apr 27, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/27/2026 01:00 pm GP 230
  15. Apr 27, 2026House: Ought to Pass 04/27/2026 (Vote 24-0; RC) HC 18 P. 12
  16. May 7, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 24
  17. May 14, 2026SenSen. Avard Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  18. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2196e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  19. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2196e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  20. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  21. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  22. Jul 15, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 07/15/2026; Chapter 337
  23. Jul 15, 2026SenI. Section 5&6 Effective 07/15/2026
  24. Nov 1, 2026SenII. Section 7 Effective 11/01/2026
  25. Sep 13, 2026SenIII. Remainder Effective 09/13/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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