This bill mandates the Department of Environmental Services (DES) to create a comprehensive inventory of all existing landfills in the state, including both operational and closed sites, and assess the available acreage for additional landfill capacity at each location. The new legal language inserted into RSA 149-M:9 establishes that the department must evaluate all current regulations, such as setbacks from airports, water bodies, and homes, while compiling this inventory. Furthermore, the bill prohibits DES from accepting applications for new landfills in greenfield areas unless the applicant can prove that none of the existing landfills are suitable for expansion.

The bill does not allocate funding or authorize new positions to support the required work, which is expected to be extensive and cannot be managed with current resources. The estimated costs for implementing the bill include hiring two Environmental Scientists and significant consultant fees for site investigations, totaling approximately $28 million over seven years. These costs will be covered by the Solid Waste Management Fund, as the bill does not create a new revenue source. The act will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 149-M:9
HB1622 text: 149-M:9