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 bill emphasizes that no further evaluation or processing of these applications will occur until new regulations, data, technologies, and policies are developed. However, the 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 moratorium section, RSA 149-M:9-a, effective July 1, 2028. This means that after this date, the moratorium will no longer be in effect, allowing for the potential issuance of permits for new landfills once again. The remainder of the act will take effect upon its passage, while the specific repeal of the moratorium will occur in 2028.

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