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SB 598 · 2026 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Task force on algae fund financing

AI-generated

establishing the cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant fund task force.

Creates a task force of legislators and state officials to study sustainable funding sources for the cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant fund, including voluntary decal programs, fee reallocations, and stormwater infrastructure funding, reporting by January 1, 2027.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 22, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill establishes the cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant fund task force.

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

“There is established a task force to study developing a sustainable funding source for the cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant fund established in RSA 485-A:58.”
RSA 485-A:62
“Legislative members of the task force shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the task force.”
RSA 485-A:62
“Such program shall be patterned after the New Hampshire voluntary hike safe card under RSA 206:26-bb.”
RSA 485-A:62
“Explore any other issues the task force discovers may lead to a sustainable funding source for the cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant fund.”
RSA 485-A:62

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Mark McConkeyRPrimeChair· Capital Budget
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Rep. Katy PeternelRVice Chair· Education Policy and Administration
  • Rep. John MacDonaldRVice Chair· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Brian TaylorRClerk· Resources, Recreation and Development
  • Rep. Karel CrawfordRClerk· Transportation

Also: Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

119 signed in online · 69 wrote testimony

97% support3% oppose0% neutral

ForBlooms increasing statewide, existing fund nearly depleted

AgainstNew funding mechanism without addressing root causes

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

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
“SB 598 creates a task force to develop long-term, sustainable funding for New Hampshire’s Cyanobacteria Mitigation Loan and Grant Fund, bringing together state leaders and stakeholders to recommend practical solutions.…”
— Don Johnson, Freedomsupports
“Ice cover on lakes is important to minimize cyanobacteria growth. Agitators should not be used unless shoreline structures are threatened.”
— Mark Whary, Moultonboroughsupports
“I am supportive of Cyanobacteria mitigation. I am not in support of this bill. The reason being There is much NH can do without further taxing the public. Stop salting roads near water bodies. Put in legislation to eliminate gravel road runoff.…”
— Thomas Ouhrabka, Wolfeboroopposes
“Just another move to implement more taxes. We already have too many add-on fees in boat registrations claiming to address these same issues. Cyanobacteria only occurs in late summer/early fall on a few lakes and pond with fertilizer issues.…”
— Duncan Mellor, Straffordopposes
“This bill is all about funding its task force ... and nothing about fixing a problem.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

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 5, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0780s5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-0780sadopted
  • Mar 5, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0780sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Mar 25, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 9, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 7, 2026HouseVoice voteEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-1889eadopted
  • May 21, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 10, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources1:30:12–1:39:139m 1slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0780s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0780s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0780s — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development4:57:28–4:58:421m 14slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-1889e Adopted — voice vote
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-1889e — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 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, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 1
  2. Feb 10, 2026SenHearing: 02/10/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:30 am; SC 4
  3. Mar 5, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0780s, 03/05/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 8
  4. Mar 5, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0780s, AA, VV; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  5. Mar 5, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0780s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 8 P. 114
  7. Mar 25, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/25/2026 02:00 pm GP 228
  8. Mar 25, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/25/2026 10:00 am GP 228
  9. Mar 25, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 03/25/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC)
  10. Apr 9, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 15
  11. May 7, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-1889e: AA VV (in recess of) 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 40
  12. May 7, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-1889e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 05/07/2026); SJ 12
  13. May 21, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 34
  14. May 21, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/21/2026); SJ 14
  15. Jun 12, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 06/12/2026; Chapter 140
  16. Jan 1, 2027SenI. Section 2 Effective 01/01/2027
  17. Jun 12, 2026SenII. Remainder Effective 06/12/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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