This bill mandates that the Department of Administrative Services incorporate proxy carbon pricing into its procurement processes, specifically for transportation and building project costs. A new section, RSA 21-I:14-e, is added to define "proxy carbon pricing" and outlines that starting January 1, 2026, the department must use a proxy carbon price of $85 per ton, which will increase by $10 annually until 2050. The bill also specifies that the carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from natural gas will be calculated using a methane multiplier to account for methane leakage.

The bill does not provide funding or authorize new positions, leading to indeterminable expenditures for the state. The Department of Administrative Services has indicated that while the bill will require additional staff to calculate and analyze carbon metrics for purchasing decisions, the exact fiscal impact and staffing needs cannot be predicted at this time. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.