This bill amends existing laws to enhance regional conservation and energy resource planning by incorporating habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors into the responsibilities of local conservation commissions and regional planning commissions. It modifies RSA 36-A:2 to require conservation commissions to maintain an inventory of open spaces, including habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors, for informational purposes in regional planning, while explicitly stating that this inventory shall not be used for municipal zoning or planning. Additionally, it amends RSA 36:45 to ensure that regional planning commissions consider these habitat areas in their coordinated development plans. The bill also clarifies the powers and duties of regional planning commissions under RSA 36:47, emphasizing the inclusion of habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors in their comprehensive master plans.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a new position of director for the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program (WRBP) within the Department of Environmental Services, appointed by the governor for a four-year term. It creates a commission to study the potential transfer of ownership of the WRBP to an alternative authority, consisting of various appointed members, including legislators and public representatives. The commission will evaluate the current state ownership and report its findings by November 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill amends RSA 206:10 to allow the executive director of the fish and game commission to consult with regional planning and conservation commissions regarding habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors. The funding for the WRBP director's position will be allocated through a new expenditure class, with the effective date for the WRBP-related sections upon passage and the remainder of the act taking effect 60 days after passage.

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