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HB 1265 · 2026 · House · Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee

Data center construction ban

AI-generated

prohibiting the construction of data centers in the state and establishing a committee to study the environmental impact of data centers.

Prohibits the construction of data centers in New Hampshire and establishes a committee to study their environmental impact.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits the construction of data centers in New Hampshire and establishes a committee to study the environmental impact of data centers.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Peter SchmidtDPrime

Rep. Wendy ThomasD, Rep. Tony CaplanD

Public testimony

151 signed in online · 23 wrote testimony

94% support6% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Data centers use an alarming amount of energy. The effect of data centers should be investigated thoroughly before allowing them in our state.”
— Emily Wrubel, Hillsboroughsupports
“We need to have a clear understanding of the potential long term impact that large data centers may have on public health, the environment, and other natural resources.…”
— Aline Flores, Londonderrysupports
“Libraries should be controlled by the people and not by the government--to preserve critical thinking and avoid authoritarianism.”
— Marie Nardino, Andoversupports

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-02-1110:00 amHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsGP 229Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2026-02-1810:00 amHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsGP 229Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2026-02-181:00 pmHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsGP 229Public hearingrescheduled

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 1 P. 13
  2. Feb 11, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/11/2026 11:00 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, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/18/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 10 P. 7
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 10

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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