This bill establishes a moratorium on the issuance of permits for new landfill facilities in New Hampshire by adding a new section, RSA 149-M:9-a, to the existing law. Under this new provision, the Department of Environmental Services is prohibited from issuing any permits for the construction or operation of new landfills, although it may accept and evaluate applications for completeness. The moratorium is intended to allow for the development of new regulations, data, technologies, and policies before any further evaluation of proposed landfill sites occurs. However, the bill clarifies that this moratorium does not apply to the expansion or modification of existing landfill facilities that were permitted as of December 1, 2022.

Additionally, the bill includes a provision for the repeal of the newly established RSA 149-M:9-a, which will take effect on July 1, 2028. This means that the moratorium on new landfill permits will be lifted at that time, allowing for the potential issuance of permits once again. The remainder of the act will take effect upon its passage, ensuring that the moratorium is implemented immediately while providing a timeline for its eventual repeal.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 149-M:9-a
As Amended by the House: 149-M:9-a