The bill, SB 644-FN, mandates comprehensive background checks for owners, partners, and managers of solid waste and hazardous waste facilities as part of the permit application process. It repeals and reenacts RSA 147-A:4, II-c and II-d, requiring applicants to undergo both New Hampshire criminal records checks and fingerprint-based checks using national crime information databases. The bill defines key terms related to the individuals involved in the application process and emphasizes that all associated parties must comply with these background checks. Additionally, the Department of Environmental Services is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the criminal history records and may charge applicants for the associated costs. The previous requirement for performance history review has been deleted, and the new provisions focus on ensuring that all relevant individuals undergo background checks.

Moreover, the bill modifies the criteria for denying permit applications based on felony convictions, expanding the scope to include all defined individuals in the relevant section of the law. It also changes the disclosure requirements for permit applications under RSA 149-M:9, replacing the need to disclose shareholders with a requirement to provide information about owners, partners, and managers. The bill stipulates that applicants must confirm their proposed facility aligns with district plan provisions and mandates that the Department of Environmental Services will destroy criminal history records within 60 days after a decision on the application. The act is set to take effect 60 days after passage and is expected to have a minimal fiscal impact of less than $10,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 to 2029.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 147-A:4, 147-A:4-b, 149-M:9, 149-M:10
SB644 text: 147-A:4, 147-A:4-b, 149-M:9, 149-M:10