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SB 450 · 2026 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee

State park passes for mental health centers

AI-generated

relative to a state parks pass pilot program for recovery centers and community mental health centers.

Establishes a 3-year pilot program providing state parks passes to community mental health centers registered with the department of health and human services.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · April 23, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires the establishment of a 3-year pilot program for state parks passes for community mental health centers registered with the department of health and human services.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“The commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources shall establish in its fee package a 3-year pilot program for community mental health centers registered with the department of health and human services to provide one or more passes to state parks for each participating center.”
Section 1
“RSA 216-A:3-g, IX, relative to the pilot program for community mental health centers, is repealed.”
Section 2
“The commissioner shall consult with the department of health and human resources to determine eligible participants, evaluation, and review of program usage.”
Section 1
“Each participating community mental health center shall report annually in an anonymized data report on the usage and impact of the pilot program, as well as any recommendations for changes.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. David WattersDPrime
  • Sen. Howard PearlRVice Chair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRChair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Rep. John MacDonaldRVice Chair· Municipal and County Government

Also: Sen. Donovan FentonD, Rep. Alicia GreggD

Public testimony

8 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

88% support13% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support SB 450 because expanding park access for individuals in recovery and those receiving mental-health services promotes equity, well-being, and community connection.…”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchestersupports

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 29, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0124s5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-0124sadopted
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0124sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Apr 8, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate12–2
    Overall
    86% yea
  • Apr 23, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 15, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources2:45–4:041m 19slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Jan 29, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0124s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0124s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0124s — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development25:12–29:484m 36slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 8, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development34:22–35:301m 8slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Executive Session
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:41:50–4:43:231m 33slocated in the stream transcriptInexpedient to Legislate — 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. Jan 15, 2026SenHearing: 01/15/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 1
  3. Jan 29, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0124s, 01/29/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 3
  4. Jan 29, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0124s, AA, VV; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  5. Jan 29, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0124s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 5 P. 124
  7. Mar 25, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/25/2026 09:30 am GP 228
  8. Apr 8, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/08/2026 10:30 am GP 228
  9. Apr 8, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 04/08/2026 (Vote 12-2; RC)
  10. Apr 15, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
  11. Apr 23, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 67

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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