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HB 1679 · 2026 · House · Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee

Beverage container redemption program

AI-generated

establishing a beverage container redemption program.

Establishes a beverage container redemption program within the department of environmental services.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a beverage container redemption program in the department of environmental services.

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

“"Beverage" means water, carbonated soft drinks, beer, malt beverages, hard cider, and other non-dairy, non-alcoholic beverages intended for human consumption.”
RSA 149-S:1
“A distributor shall charge a $0.10 refundable deposit on each eligible beverage container sold in New Hampshire.”
RSA 149-S:2
“Unclaimed deposits remaining after one year shall be remitted to the beverage container recycling fund established in RSA 149-S:7.”
RSA 149-S:4
“The department of environmental services shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A necessary to implement this chapter including:”
RSA 149-S:6

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Alissandra MurrayDPrimeClerk· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Dennis MalloyDDeputy Ranking Member· Ways and Means
  • Rep. Cathryn HarveyDRanking Member· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Jessica LaMontagneDDeputy Ranking Member· Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs

Also: Rep. Karen HegnerD, Rep. Timothy HorriganD, Rep. Linda HaskinsD, Rep. Sallie FellowsD, Rep. Sanjeev ManoharD, Rep. Janet LucasD

Public testimony

58 signed in online · 15 wrote testimony

78% support21% oppose2% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The math is pretty simple - the 2025 NH Waste Characterization Study shows that nearly 20% of the waste that goes into our landfills from in-state sources is plastic or glass (19.4%). The 2023-2024 NH DES Biennial Solid Waste Report shows that between 2020 and 2024, recycling rates have fallen from just under 21% to less than 17%. We are headed in the wrong direction.…”
— Rep. Nick Germana, Keene, NH · Cheshire District 15supports
“Members of the NH House of Representatives represent us, the NH citizenry. The public's comments must be known and reported out of each legislative committee to ensure transparency.…”
— Patricia Beffa-Negrini, Nelsonsupports
“NH's Waste Management Plan set the goal of cutting waste 25% by 2030. A beverage container deposit system will keep bottles out of the landfill, helping to reach that 25% goal.…”
— Susan Richman, Durhamsupports
“NO. Have you seen the graft in Vermont around bottle slush funds? This is richer than Medicaid Fraud. NO. Bottle Bills are so 1972. Recycling actually means that a private business can earn a profit performing this service. Enough with the virtue signalling.…”
— tom luther, claremontopposes
“we dont need another government program and a redemption tax program. Hon. Henry R. Giasson III House of Representatives HIL29 New Hampshire”
— henry giasson, goffstownopposes

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 4, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 22, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs59:14–1:07:158m 1slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs4:28:42–4:29:501m 8slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Subcommittee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — 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 Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 1 P. 31
  2. Jan 22, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2026 11:00 am GP 229
  3. Feb 4, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/04/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  4. Feb 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/04/2026 01:00 pm GP 229
  5. Feb 4, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/04/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 7 P. 5
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 7

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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