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SB 644 · 2026 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Background checks for waste facility owners

AI-generated

requiring background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility owners.

Requires background checks for owners, partners, and managers of solid waste and hazardous waste facilities.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 22, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill requires background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility owners, including partners and managers.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“II-c.(a) Applications for permits shall be upon such forms and shall include such information as the department requires by rules adopted under RSA 147-A:3.”
Section 145:1
“No permit issued by the department under this section shall be transferred by the permittee to any person without the prior written approval of the department.”
Section 145:2
“Applications for permits shall be upon such forms and shall include such information as the department requires by rules adopted under RSA 149-M:7.”
Section 145:4
“Applications for the transfer of permits shall be filed by the person to whom such permit is to be transferred upon such forms and shall include such information as the department requires by rules adopted under RSA 149-M:7.”
Section 145:6

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Howard PearlRPrimeVice Chair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Sen. Ruth WardRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRChair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Rep. Judy AronRChair· Environment and Agriculture
  • Rep. Peter BixbyDRanking Member· Environment and Agriculture
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Also: Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

12 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

92% support8% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I think requiring background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facilities is worth doing to ensure these potentially dangerous waste materials are properly handled.”
— Rosemary D'Arcy, Bristolsupports

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 Pass4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 28, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass13–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 7, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 21, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 20, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources26:15–36:2510m 10slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Jan 29, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 31, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture3:01:59–3:10:568m 57slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 7, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture1:35:26–1:36:2256slocated in the stream transcriptFull Committee Work Session
  • Apr 14, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture3:40:20–3:41:281m 8slocated in the stream transcriptFull Committee Work Session
  • Apr 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and AgricultureWatchnamed in a list of bills, not taken up — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Full Committee Work Session
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled 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 20, 2026SenHearing: 01/20/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:20 am; SC 1
  3. Jan 29, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 01/29/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 3
  4. Jan 29, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Environment and Agriculture HJ 5 P. 127
  6. Mar 31, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/31/2026 11:00 am GP 153
  7. Apr 7, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 04/07/2026 01:00 pm GP 153
  8. Apr 14, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 04/14/2026 01:30 pm GP 153
  9. Apr 28, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 04/28/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  10. Apr 28, 2026House: Ought to Pass 04/28/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 18 P. 7
  11. May 7, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 8
  12. May 21, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 34
  13. May 21, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/21/2026); SJ 14
  14. Jun 12, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 06/12/2026; Chapter 145; Effective 08/11/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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