This bill mandates the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to establish administrative rules concerning laboratory services and the associated fees for testing water supplies. It repeals the existing statute RSA 131:3-a and enacts a new RSA 131:4, which outlines the responsibilities of the commissioner to adopt rules for laboratory services and fee schedules. The bill allows the commissioner to waive fees when deemed necessary for public health and specifies that fees for analyses required by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act will be determined based on a cost allocation method from EPA grants. Additionally, it establishes a lab equipment and replacement fund, where fees collected from non-state entities will be split between the general fund and this special fund for laboratory improvements.

The bill also makes necessary amendments to existing statutes to reflect the changes in fee structure and references the new RSA 131:4 instead of the repealed RSA 131:3-a. Specifically, it updates RSA 6:12 and RSA 485-A:26 to align with the new provisions. The implementation of these changes is contingent upon the DHHS commissioner certifying that the new rules have been adopted, with certain sections of the act taking effect upon this certification and the remainder set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 6:12, 485-A:26, 131:3-a
As Amended by the House: 6:12, 485-A:26, 131:3-a
Version adopted by both bodies: 6:12, 485-A:26, 131:3-a
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 6:12, 485-A:26, 131:3-a