This bill amends the existing law regarding fees for nonpayment of hazardous materials or waste accident expenses. Specifically, it repeals and reenacts RSA 154:8-a, II-a(h) to establish a penalty of $1,000 per day for each day of nonpayment beyond 90 days. Additionally, the cumulative penalty imposed cannot exceed 25 percent of the costs established under a related subparagraph. Importantly, if the responsible party adheres to a payment plan agreed upon with the claimant, no additional daily penalties will be applied.

The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and is expected to have an indeterminable fiscal impact on local revenue, as it is unclear how many hazardous material accidents may occur and when liable parties will fulfill their payment obligations. The potential for increased fine revenue could help reimburse municipalities for emergency response and legal costs associated with such accidents. The Department of Safety has indicated that the bill will not impact their operations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 154:8-a