This bill, SB 592, 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 require conservation commissions in cities and towns to maintain an inventory of open spaces and ecological areas, specifically including habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors as defined in RSA 207:1. The bill clarifies that this inventory is for informational purposes only and cannot be used for municipal zoning or planning. Additionally, it amends RSA 36:45 to ensure that regional planning commissions consider these ecological areas in their coordinated development plans. The bill also emphasizes the advisory powers of regional planning commissions, mandating them to include considerations for habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors in their comprehensive master plans for regional development.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a commission to study the potential transfer of ownership of the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program (WRBP) to an alternative authority and creates the position of director of the WRBP within the Department of Environmental Services. This director will be appointed by the governor and will serve a four-year term. The commission will evaluate the current ownership and operational structure of the WRBP, identify necessary state-owned assets, and determine the feasibility of transferring control, with a report due by November 1, 2026. Notably, the bill repeals a previous section related to the commission's study, indicating a shift in focus. The fiscal impact is expected to result in increased expenditures for the Department of Environmental Services, which will be offset by reimbursements from participating municipalities, leading to a net cost of zero for the state.

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
SB592 text: 36-A:2, 36:45, 36:47, 36:55, 206:10