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HB 97

making an appropriation to the department of environmental services for wastewater infrastructure projects.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by David Preece and 1 co-sponsor

The bill would provide state funding to DES for wastewater infrastructure projects to upgrade systems, improve water quality, and protect public health.

Inexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 175-156 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 176
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Bill Summary · HB 97

Bill Summary: HB 97 (New Hampshire, 2026)

Title

Making an appropriation to the Department of Environmental Services for wastewater infrastructure projects.

Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes state funding support for wastewater infrastructure projects through a dedicated appropriation to the Department of Environmental Services (DES).
  • Aims to improve wastewater systems, support compliance with environmental standards, and advance public health and water quality objectives within the state.

Key Provisions (as described by the bill’s text and typical appropriation structure)

  • Appropriation Amount: The bill would authorize a specific monetary allocation to DES for the purpose of wastewater infrastructure projects. The exact dollar figure is not provided in the summary provided; the bill would specify the total appropriation and any related funding sources (e.g., general fund, dedicated funds, federal pass-through funds, or repayments).
  • Eligible Projects: Funds are designated for wastewater infrastructure, which may include:
    • Sewer system upgrades and rehabilitation
    • Wastewater treatment plant improvements or expansions
    • Sewer collection system improvements and line replacements
    • Nonpoint source control and related green infrastructure as part of integrated water quality initiatives
    • Projects ensuring regulatory compliance (e.g., with state and federal wastewater discharge standards)
  • Project Administration: The bill would direct DES to administer the funds, establish grant or loan programs, set eligibility criteria, applicant requirements, and reporting standards.
  • Funding Uses: Eligible uses typically include design, permitting, construction, rehabilitation, and related engineering and program management costs associated with wastewater infrastructure.
  • Oversight and Reporting: The appropriation would likely require periodic reporting to the Legislature on project progress, fund balances, disbursements, and outcomes (e.g., milestones achieved, water quality improvements).

Who is Affected

  • State: DES receives and administers the funds, implementing programs and oversight.
  • Municipalities and Utilities: Local governments, sewer districts, and private-public partners seeking funding for wastewater projects would be eligible to apply for grants or loans, depending on program design.
  • General Public: Communities served by funded projects could experience improved wastewater treatment, reduced pollution, and enhanced water quality.
  • Contractors/Engineering Firms: May participate as recipients of contracts for project design and construction.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • History indicates a long consideration process within the House Finance Committee, including multiple work sessions, executive sessions, and reports moving through the legislative pipeline.
  • Notable action history:
    • Introduced and referred to Finance in December 2024/January 2025 (exact dates vary in notes).
    • Public hearing occurrences in early 2025 with subsequent retention in committee.
    • Committee reports in late 2025 indicating mixed outcomes (majority “Inexpedient to Legislate” with a minority “Ought to Pass with Amendment”).
    • Administrative motions and executive sessions through 2025 into early 2026.
  • Final disposition in early January 2026 shows a procedural determination: “Inexpedient to Legislate” (a disposition indicating the bill did not pass in that session in its current form), according to the recorded action: “Inexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 175-156 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 176.” This indicates the bill did not advance to enactment in its present form, unless amended and reconsidered in a subsequent session.

Potential Impact

  • If enacted in a future session or with amendments, the appropriation would provide a dedicated funding stream to DES for wastewater projects, potentially accelerating infrastructure upgrades, improving compliance with discharge standards, and enhancing public health protections and water quality.
  • The magnitude and effectiveness would depend on the final appropriation amount, success in competitive eligibility determinations, leveraging of federal funds, and the performance of funded projects.
  • As currently dispositioned, the bill did not become law in the 2026 session, but the underlying policy objective (state support for wastewater infrastructure) may reappear in amended form in future sessions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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