Committee Summary for House Public Works and Highways (04/07/2026)

Member	Member	Member
Milz, David(Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Boyd, Bill(Clerk)(R)[C]2025	Bogert, Steven(V Chairman)(R)[B+]2025
Cloutier, John(D)[F]2025	Boehm, Ralph(R)[B]2025	Jack, Martin(D)[D-]2025
Newman, Sue(D)[F]2025	Edgar, Michael(D)[F]2025	Faulkner, Barry(D)[D-]2025
Fedolfi, Jim(R)[IN]2025	Brown, Richard(R)[B+]2025	Juris, Louis(D)[F]2025
Suiter, John(R)[B-]2025	Vallone, Mark(D)[D-]2025	Foote, Charles(R)[B]2025
Rockmore, Ellen(D)[CT]2025	Louis, Darrell(R)[B+]2025

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB541	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to capital appropriations for regional drinking water infrastructure.	Abbas, Daryl(R)[B-]2025
SB632	Executive Session	relative to a certain highway sign in Concord.	Reardon, Tara(D)[F]2025
SB627 2024-1352h	Executive Session	(New Title) relative to toll rate adjustments and periodic inflation-based toll reviews for the New Hampshire turnpike system to support the 2027-2036 ten-year transportation plan.	Watters, David(D)[D-]2025
SB541	Executive Session	(New Title) relative to capital appropriations for regional drinking water infrastructure.	Abbas, Daryl(R)[B-]2025
Unclear	General Working Session	Unclear

SB541: Support 00:04:37.176 - 10:03:58 AM; Senator Abbas introduced SB 541, focusing on funding for phase two of the Southern New Hampshire Regional Water Pipeline project. He highlighted water supply challenges in Salem, including reliance on Canobie Lake and Arlington Pond affected by PFOAs, PFAS, and cyanobacteria. He discussed the impact on housing development, local zoning, and community growth, noting that without adequate water, subdivisions and infrastructure expansions are limited. He shared a personal anecdote about remediating his well for PFAS due to proximity to contaminated areas and emphasized the project's role in addressing these issues while maintaining local control.
SB541: Information Only 00:12:33.885 - 10:11:54 AM; Commissioner Scott and Engineer Unger explained the bill's provisions, reallocating $5 million from existing PFAS mitigation funds to the Southern New Hampshire Regional Water Project without new appropriations. They detailed phase two's focus on increasing supply capacity to 3.1 million gallons per day from Manchester Water Works, without new trunk lines but with upsizing for hydraulic efficiency. They addressed PFAS impacts on Arlington Pond and Canobie Lake under upcoming federal standards affecting 200 water systems. They also covered re-scoping $65,000 for Pillsbury Lake Village District from a new well to other improvements, and requested language clarification for federal PFAS standards. Hydrological studies confirm sufficient capacity with additional storage in Lake Massabesic and Merrimack River sources.
SB541: Information Only 00:20:46.319 - 10:20:07 AM; Mr. Shea presented the revised fiscal note, indicating no state or county revenue/expenditure impact but a $5 million increase in local revenue/expenditures. The bill reallocates $5 million from the 2020 $50 million PFAS appropriation as a grant to the project, reducing the initial $16.5 million request. Section two adjusts $65,000 from HB 2 for Pillsbury Lake to direct payments for improvements without loans. Local communities, including Manchester Water Works, have committed funding via intermunicipal agreements, with costs passed through rates or taxes proportionally. Funds are for standalone project components to avoid incomplete work if further funding is delayed.
SB632: Vote 00:45:19.951 - 10:44:40 AM; Moved SB 632 to interim study due to concerns raised in letters from stakeholders and DOT testimony about potential enforcement of rules, visibility of the sign, and safety issues.
SB632: Oppose 00:46:32.168 - 10:45:53 AM; Expressed concerns about the sign's distance from the highway, small type size for events, potential for distracted driving, and poor geometrics on a curve.
SB632: Oppose 00:46:32.168 - 10:45:53 AM; Shared safety concerns regarding the sign.
SB632: Information Only 00:47:40.768 - 10:47:01 AM; Suggested considering the purpose of federal highway rules, potential distraction, and usefulness of information provided to drivers. Noted Mr. Dupree's intent to donate the sign to a nonprofit to avoid frequent changes like existing flashing signs on I-93.
SB627 2024-1352h: Vote 00:51:29.187 - 10:50:50 AM; Moved adoption of amendment 2024-1352h, changing 'on this one occasion only' to a date certain of January 1, 2027, to clarify one-time application without affecting future executive council authority.
SB627 2024-1352h: Support 00:51:29.187 - 10:50:50 AM; Supported the amendment's change to a date certain for better clarity on the one-time toll adjustment effective January 1, 2027.
SB627 2024-1352h: Information Only 00:53:40.441 - 10:53:01 AM; Questioned the repeal of RSA 237:11, V, regarding E-ZPass discounts, confirming that discounts for New Hampshire E-ZPass holders remain intact.
SB627 2024-1352h: Information Only 00:53:40.441 - 10:53:01 AM; Clarified that the repeal replaces existing toll levels with new ones, maintaining E-ZPass discounts, but noted a potential effective date discrepancy between December 1, 2026, and January 1, 2027.
SB627 2024-1352h: Information Only 00:54:18.033 - 10:53:39 AM; Clarified that section 3's effective date of December 1, 2026, should apply to section 2 for free E-ZPass transponders starting 30 days before toll changes on January 1, 2027, due to renumbering in the amendment. Suggested fixing in Ways and Means.
SB627 2024-1352h: Vote 00:55:59.239 - 10:55:20 AM; After confirming no further questions for the Department of Transportation, the chair calls for the roll on Senate Bill 627 with fiscal note. The vote is 15 aye, 0 nay, 2 absent, affirming ought to pass as amended. No objections to the consent calendar.
SB541: Support 00:57:12.125 - 10:56:33 AM; Representative Boyd, chair of the New Hampshire Drinking Water and Groundwater Advisory Commission, provides background on the commission established in 2015 to manage $255 million from a settlement with ExxonMobil over MTBE contamination. He explains that $25 million was allocated for phase one of the Southern New Hampshire Interconnect project. This bill advances phase two along Route 28, enabling communities like Derry, Windham, Salem, and possibly Pelham to access reliable potable water from Manchester, including wheeling rights for suburbs. He urges support for the bill's long-term benefits.
SB541: Information Only 00:59:21.825 - 10:58:42 AM; Representative Newman thanks Representative Boyd for the history and explanation of the bill.
SB541: Vote 00:59:21.825 - 10:58:42 AM; After no further discussion, the chair calls the roll on Senate Bill 541 with fiscal note. The vote is 15 aye, 0 nay, 2 absent, affirming ought to pass. No objections to the consent calendar.
Unclear: Information Only 01:00:31.605 - 10:59:52 AM; The chair closes the executive session on SB 541 and notes that the committee does not have jurisdiction to amend a chapter originally from Health and Human Services. Another committee will handle it. The chair announces that Public Works and Highways has handled all bills, with the next meeting at call, and thanks the committee for their hard work on the capital budget and 10-year plan, acknowledging the unseen efforts beyond naming items.
Unclear: Information Only 01:00:31.605 - 10:59:52 AM; Representative Jack claims the committee lacks jurisdiction to amend the chapter since it originated under Health and Human Services, and it's now out of their hands.
Unclear: Information Only 01:01:42.445 - 11:01:03 AM; The chair states uncertainty about referral to finance committees or Ways and Means but confirms all bills are handled except early ones like SB 541 and SB 627. No planned meetings until necessary, reiterates thanks, and opens for discussion. Wishes happy spring.
Unclear: Information Only 01:02:40.845 - 11:02:01 AM; Representative Newman indicates nothing to add.
Unclear: Information Only 01:02:40.845 - 11:02:01 AM; Representative Fidolfi has nothing to add but jokes about his wife sitting in if done with steps.
Unclear: Information Only 01:02:40.845 - 11:02:01 AM; Representative Rockmore has nothing to add and echoes happy spring.
Unclear: Information Only 01:02:40.845 - 11:02:01 AM; Representative Faulkner confirms happy spring.
Unclear: Information Only 01:02:40.845 - 11:02:01 AM; New to the committee, Representative Miller thanks for the opportunity, noting his words outweigh his time spent.
Unclear: Information Only 01:02:40.845 - 11:02:01 AM; Representative Brown thanks the chair for professionalism and efficiency in handling matters quickly.
Unclear: Information Only 01:03:45.052 - 11:03:06 AM; Representative Edgar thanks the chair and mentions upcoming gatherings: on May 13 at Portsmouth State Pier discussing Ports and Harbors, seacoast studies for Seabrook and Hampton Harbor, and projects funded by the committee. Invites interested members, avoiding quorum issues. Also, on May 29 at DES in Pease Development Area, a presentation on a completed statewide tidal model for flood prediction, funded previously. Invites interest.
Unclear: Information Only 01:07:01.942 - 11:06:22 AM; Representative Cloutier asks for updates on the 10-year plan changes by the Senate, other bills, and potential committee of conference. Confirms no formal meetings for the rest of the year.
Unclear: Information Only 01:07:01.942 - 11:06:22 AM; The chair confirms updates will be shared and likely committee of conference for concerns. Reiterates no formal meetings planned.
Unclear: Information Only 01:08:01.442 - 11:07:22 AM; Representative Faulkner appreciates the committee's consensus-building approach and wishes others would follow. Asks if any bills might come off consent calendar; chair indicates no plans, leaving to next committee.
Unclear: Information Only 01:08:01.442 - 11:07:22 AM; Representative Juris thanks the chair for guidance and leadership, and all committee members for collaboration.
Unclear: Information Only 01:09:18.668 - 11:08:39 AM; Representative Boehme notes the last two years differ from previous 16 years on other committees, with faster executive sessions and more unanimous votes, emphasizing civility.
Unclear: Information Only 01:09:18.668 - 11:08:39 AM; Representative Juris again thanks the legislative helpers and assistants for their work.
Unclear: Information Only 01:09:18.668 - 11:08:39 AM; As a late entry, Representative Foote thanks the chair and members for accepting him; it's been educational.
Unclear: Information Only 01:09:18.668 - 11:08:39 AM; In his 14th year since 2013 with the chair, Representative Jack affirms the committee's effective functioning.
Unclear: Information Only 01:10:33.728 - 11:09:54 AM; Vice Chair Bogert honors serving on the committee, chosen purposefully for infrastructure interest, praising its functionality in bill outcomes.
Unclear: Information Only 01:10:33.728 - 11:09:54 AM; Representative Rockmore likes his 'Tuesday job,' thanks LBA's Mr. Shea for guidance and heavy lifting on bills, and committee assistant Christie for exemplary, anticipatory work, including on the water bill.
Unclear: Information Only 01:11:53.008 - 11:11:14 AM; The speaker apologizes for not realizing the mushy tone, shares initial surprise at assignment to Public Works but found it functional compared to subbing on others. Jokes about being the only woman until Representative Rockmore joined, complimented by Representative Fidolfi not noticing.
Unclear: Information Only 01:13:08.168 - 11:12:29 AM; The chair thanks for the compliment on bipartisan leadership, efficiency allowing time for other work, and communication. Notes the committee works for common good with settled disagreements. Calls it a day before getting emotional.
Unclear: Information Only 01:14:16.808 - 11:13:37 AM; Representative Faulkner thanks agency people for helpful, respectful testimony, making the job easier.
Unclear: Information Only 01:15:15.848 - 11:14:36 AM; The chair agrees, emphasizes asking questions of the right people and ensuring proper information sources. Notes early end at 45 minutes, allowing time to fight weather. Thanks everyone.