Committee Summary for House Environment and Agriculture (05/08/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB302 2025-1687H 00:23:49.760 - 12:34:45 PM	Executive Session	requiring background checks for solid waste facility owners.	Pearl, Howard (R)[C+]2024

SB302 2025-1687H: Chair Information Only00:23:49.760 - 12:34:45 PM; The Chair opened the executive session and announced a staff change, noting that Representative Comtois is no longer the vice chair and welcoming Representative Barber as the new vice chair. The session focused on SB302, a bill requiring background checks for solid waste facility owners. The Chair discussed an amendment, 2025-1687H, which incorporates language from Senator Pearl and Director Whimsat from DEES. The committee had the option to execute the bill with this amendment or recess until Tuesday for a hearing on a non-germane amendment proposed by Representative Patenza.
SB302 2025-1687H: Representative Patenza Support00:29:08.440 - 12:40:04 PM; Representative Patenza explained her amendment, which incorporates language from the budget bill, including the establishment of a site evaluation committee, moratorium language, and public benefit language. She emphasized the importance of this amendment as it aligns with the governor's priorities and reflects work that the committee had already invested in. She expressed concerns that without this standalone bill, the language could be lost if the budget fails to pass.
SB302 2025-1687H: Chair Information Only00:34:57.880 - 12:45:53 PM; The Chair shared information from a conversation with the governor and Senator Roseford about the fate of the site evaluation committee language in the budget bill. They indicated that the language would be moved to a standalone bill, HB171, if the budget did not pass.
SB302 2025-1687H: Representative Bixby Support00:36:12.720 - 12:47:08 PM; Representative Bixby supported Representative Patenza's amendment, noting the importance of having a standalone option in case the budget fails. He discussed the potential for a committee of conference and the need for multiple options to ensure the language is not lost.
SB302 2025-1687H: Representative German Support00:39:38.079 - 12:50:34 PM; Representative German commended Representative Patenza for her work and supported the idea of a standalone bill, highlighting the importance of decoupling certain elements from the budget.
SB302 2025-1687H: Representative Freeman Information Only00:40:50.400 - 12:51:46 PM; Representative Freeman asked about the procedural aspects of the amendment, specifically about introducing it as a floor amendment if necessary. The Chair clarified the process, mentioning the potential for a committee of conference.
SB302 2025-1687H: Representative Haskins Support00:41:17.280 - 12:52:13 PM; Representative Haskins supported the standalone bill and was willing to attend additional meetings to ensure its passage. They expressed concerns about the uncertainty of committee of conference outcomes.
SB302 2025-1687H: Representative Vix Support00:42:25.760 - 12:53:21 PM; Representative Vix supported the standalone bill, noting that it would allow for more control over who is on the committee of conference, as opposed to it being handled solely by the finance committee if it remained in the budget.
SB302 2025-1687H: Representative Scully Oppose00:43:31.920 - 12:54:27 PM; Representative Scully expressed opposition to non-germane amendments and the practice of adding policy to the budget. They stated they would vote for the base bill with the Chair's amendment but not for the non-germane amendment.
SB302 2025-1687H: Representative Gruber Support00:44:35.760 - 12:55:31 PM; Representative Gruber supported the idea of a standalone bill for solid waste management, expressing concerns about mixing policy with the budget.
SB302 2025-1687H: Representative Barber Information Only00:45:50.480 - 12:56:46 PM; Representative Barber sought clarification on the non-germane amendment, expressing confusion about its relevance. Representative Patenza explained that the amendment includes elements from the governor's language and other bills, necessitating a separate hearing due to its non-germane nature.
SB302 2025-1687H: Representative Comtois Information Only00:49:02.079 - 12:59:58 PM; Representative Comtois provided historical context on the practice of adding policy to the budget, noting that it has been exacerbated in recent years.
SB302 2025-1687H: Chair Information Only00:50:12.480 - 1:01:08 PM; The Chair conducted a vote to determine whether to recess SB302 until Tuesday for a hearing on the non-germane amendment. The majority supported the recess, and the Chair scheduled the executive session for May 13 at 10:00 a.m.
SB302 2025-1687H: Representative German Information Only00:51:56.559 - 1:02:52 PM; Representative German provided an update on HB566, a leachate management bill that was unanimously passed out of committee but re-referred by the Senate. They discussed ongoing efforts to rework the bill with industry input and the Senate, aiming to overturn the re-refer and pass it with a floor amendment.
SB302 2025-1687H: Chair Information Only00:56:38.000 - 1:07:34 PM; The Chair confirmed arrangements for a field trip to UNH scheduled for the 20th and mentioned discussions about mileage reimbursement with the speaker's office.
SB302 2025-1687H: Representative Information Only00:56:38.000 - 1:07:34 PM; A representative mentioned an upcoming event at their home, inviting the committee to choose from several dates.
SB302 2025-1687H: Representative Support00:57:24.200 - 1:08:20 PM; A representative expressed strong support for the committee and its leadership, emphasizing unity and the committee's capability to manage its affairs effectively.

Aron, Judy(Chairman)(R)[A]2024	King, Seth(Clerk)(R)[A]2024	Comtois, Barbara(V Chairman)(R)[A]2024
Gruber, James(D)	Bixby, Peter(D)[CT]2024	Sofikitis, Catherine(D)[D-]2024
Freeman, Lisa(R)[B+]2018	Scully, Kevin(R)[A-]2018	Barbour, Liz(R)
Howard, Molly(D)[F]2024	Wheeler, Jonah(D)[D+]2024	Haskins, Linda(D)[CT]2024
Potenza, Kelley(R)[A]2024	Kenny, Catherine(R)[B+]2024	Germana, Nicholas(D)[CT]2024
Miner, Laurence(R)