This bill aims to enhance regional conservation and energy resource planning by integrating habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors into existing frameworks. It amends RSA 36-A:2 to mandate that conservation commissions in cities and towns maintain an inventory of open spaces, specifically including habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors, for informational purposes only, clarifying that this inventory will not be utilized for municipal zoning or planning. Additionally, the bill modifies RSA 36:45 to ensure that regional planning commissions incorporate these ecological elements into their development objectives, thereby promoting the protection and proper utilization of natural resources.

Moreover, the bill establishes the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program (WRBP) within the Department of Environmental Services, creating a new unclassified director position appointed by the governor with the executive council's consent. It also introduces a new expenditure class for funding the WRBP and forms a commission to study the potential transfer of ownership and operation of the WRBP to an alternative authority. The bill amends RSA 94:1-a to include the WRBP director in the state office salary list and repeals the section concerning the commission studying the transfer of the WRBP's ownership and operation, effective November 1, 2026. The effective dates for various sections of the bill differ, with some provisions taking effect immediately and others later in 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 36-A:2, 36:45, 36:47, 36:55, 206:10
As Amended by the Senate: 36-A:2, 36:45, 36:47, 206:10, 94:1-a
As Amended by the House: 36-A:2, 36:45, 36:47, 206:10, 94:1-a, 21-O:14-b
Version adopted by both bodies: 36-A:2, 36:45, 36:47, 206:10, 94:1-a, 21-O:14-b
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 36-A:2, 36:45, 36:47, 206:10, 94:1-a, 21-O:14-b
SB592 text: 36-A:2, 36:45, 36:47, 36:55, 206:10