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HB 1607 · 2026 · House · Public Works and Highways Committee

Regulating road salt storage

AI-generated

relative to the use and storage of road salt.

Prohibits storing road salt and other snow and ice control chemicals in ways that risk contaminating groundwater or surface water, and directs the department of environmental services to issue regulations governing their storage and management.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · February 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits unsafe chemical storage, protects water sources from contamination, and empowers the department to regulate and enforce stricter safeguards in vulnerable areas.

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

“No person shall store sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, or salt treated abrasives or other chemicals used for snow and ice management on road parking lots and sidewalks in such a manner or place as to subject groundwater or surface water to the risk of contamination.”
Section 1
“The department shall issue regulations as to the place and manner of storage and management of such chemicals.”
Section 1
“Such regulations may provide additional requirements if such chemicals are to be stored and managed over or adjacent to areas where groundwater or surface water is presently or has previously been impacted by chemicals used for snow and ice management.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Rosemarie RungDPrime
  • Rep. Brian TaylorRClerk· Resources, Recreation and Development
  • Rep. John MacDonaldRVice Chair· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Karen EbelDDemocratic Leader Pro Tempore

Also: Rep. Peter LovettD, Rep. Will DarbyD, Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

135 signed in online · 66 wrote testimony

99% support1% oppose0% neutral

ForRoad salt runoff contaminates water and fuels cyanobacteria blooms

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I strongly support this bill. Runoff from improperly stored road salts and de-icing chemicals can harm drinking water sources, lakes, and aquatic ecosystems, including creating conditions that favor harmful cyanobacteria blooms.…”
— LILLIANE LEBEL, Templesupports
“Please do anything possible to minimized runoff of salt and other deicing chemicals into our waterways. It is so important to protect our beautiful New Hampshire natural areas, not to mention our tourism industry in the bargain.”
— Paul Shellito, Center Harborsupports
“Runoff from improperly stored road salts and de-icing chemicals can harm drinking water sources, lakes, and aquatic ecosystems, including creating conditions that favor harmful cyanobacteria blooms. Safe storage and management help protect water quality and public health.”
— Alexander Campbell, Sandwichsupports

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
  • Feb 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0497h15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 12, 2026HouseRoll callLay HB1607 on Table (Rep. Milz)Adopted188–166How they voted
    Overall
    53% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    185–896% yea
    Democrats
    3–1582% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseRoll callRemove from Table (Rep. Rung)Failed156–194How they voted
    Overall
    45% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    2–1891% yea
    Democrats
    154–597% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Public Works and Highways51:07–52:161m 9slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing; ==RECESSED== Executive Session
  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Public Works and HighwaysWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Public Works and HighwaysWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0497h — roll call; Subcommittee Work Session
  • Feb 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:32:12–4:33:481m 36slocated in the stream transcriptLay HB1607 on Table (Rep. Milz) — adopted, roll call 188-166
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:43:03–4:48:004m 57slocated in the stream transcriptRemove from Table (Rep. Rung) — failed, roll call 156-194

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 Public Works and Highways HJ 1 P. 28
  2. Jan 13, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/13/2026 10:30 am GP 228
  3. Jan 13, 2026House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 01/13/2026 10:00 am GP 228
  4. Jan 27, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 01/27/2026 01:00 pm GP 228
  5. Feb 3, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/03/2026 11:00 am GP 228
  6. Feb 3, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0497h 02/03/2026 (Vote 15-0; RC) HC 6 P. 16
  7. Feb 12, 2026HouseLay HB1607 on Table (Rep. Milz): MA RC 188-166 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 44
  8. Mar 12, 2026HouseRemove from Table (Rep. Rung): MF RC 156-194 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 60

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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