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HB 1426 · 2026 · House · Resources, Recreation and Development Committee

Certified staff for environmental services

AI-generated

requiring the department of environmental services to employ certified personnel in each program area.

Requires the department of environmental services to employ certified personnel in each program area.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · May 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires the department of environmental services to employ certified personnel in each program area.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the House. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“The department of environmental services shall seek, through recruitment and retention efforts, training, or state contracting to ensure that each of its program areas that have licenses or certifications have at least one certified individual, either as a direct employee or through a contracted arrangement, to address program-related matters and any issues that may arise in the course of its operations.”
Section 1
“The department may use existing appropriations, federal grants, or program fees for costs associated with training and certification under this section.”
Section 1
“A certified individual shall be an employee who holds a current, valid certification or license in and from the program area they serve.”
Section 1
“Certified individuals employed by or contracted with a department of environmental services program area shall not be required to comply with certification maintenance requirements that present a conflict of interest, including but not limited to submitting work product to the department to maintain hours of work experience.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Steven KesselringRPrime
  • Rep. Brian ColeRVice Chair· Housing

Also: Rep. Bryan MorseR, Rep. Jay MarkellR, Rep. Jonathan MortonR, Rep. Matt DrewR, Rep. Pierre DupontR

Public testimony

3 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

67% support33% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“HB 1426 aims to enhance the effectiveness of the Department of Environmental Services (DES) by mandating that at least one certified individual be employed in each program area.…”
— Georgina Lambert, Belmontopposes

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
  • Jan 28, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0331h16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 12, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0331hadopted
  • Feb 12, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0331hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Mar 17, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass25–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 26, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 14, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and DevelopmentWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamPublic Hearing
  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and DevelopmentWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0331h — roll call; Executive Session
  • Feb 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:35:20–4:36:291m 9slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0331h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0331h — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Finance
  • Mar 9, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance - Division I1:11:47–1:13:241m 37slocated in the stream transcriptDivision I Work Session
  • Mar 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance14:07–15:471m 40slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 8, 2026Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration1:32:27–1:50:4118m 14slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee 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

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 1 P. 20
  2. Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 01:00 pm GP 228
  3. Jan 28, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/28/2026 10:00 am GP 228
  4. Jan 28, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0331h 01/28/2026 (Vote 16-0; RC) HC 6 P. 17
  5. Feb 12, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0331h: AA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 47
  6. Feb 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0331h: MA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 47
  7. Feb 12, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 47
  8. Mar 9, 2026HouseDivision I Work Session: 03/09/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  9. Mar 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/17/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  10. Mar 17, 2026House: Ought to Pass 03/17/2026 (Vote 25-0; CC)
  11. Mar 26, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 2
  12. Mar 26, 2026SenIntroduced 03/26/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 7
  13. Apr 8, 2026SenHearing: 04/08/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:40 am; SC 13
  14. May 7, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  15. May 7, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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