Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee
Ben Mickens 271-1403
HB 1126, repealing the certification requirement to perform residential mold assessments.
Hearing Date: March 18, 2026
Time Opened: 9:41 a.m. Time Closed: 10:04 a.m.
Members of the Committee Present: Senators Pearl, McGough, Altschiller and Reardon
Members of the Committee Absent : Senator Gannon
Bill Analysis: This bill repeals the requirement for certification to perform residential mold assessments.
Sponsors:
Rep. Slottje |
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Who supports the bill: Representative Jeremy Slottje and Cory Stone
Who opposes the bill: Matt Mayberry.
Who is neutral on the bill: None.
Summary of testimony presented in support:
Representative Jeremy Slottje:
- Representative Slottje introduced and testified in support of HB 1126.
- Representative Slottje explained that this bill removes the certification requirement for mold inspection.
- He stated that this licensure only covers molding inspection and that there are zero people holding the certification.
Senator Pearl asked if there is any concern related to consumer protection issues.
Representative Slottje explained that there was testimony that voiced this concern but the House committee found that, as no one holds this license and its very narrow scope, it does not seem to be an issue.
Senator Pearl asked if anyone has held this license in recent history.
Representative Slottje he did not have that information, although there must have been a reason for it to be established. The licensure is only to identify mold.
Senator Reardon asked how this came to the attention to the representative, and if it had to do with his profession.
Representative Slottje said it came in his research around the parameters of the House EDA committee and that his profession was software.
Senator Reardon asked who one would call if they thought they found mold in their home.
Representative Slottje stated if it was only to identify the mold it would be this license. However there are no people holding it or doing this exclusively as a profession. Others in homebuilding or maintenance professions should easily be able to identify mold.
Senator McGough asked if the reason no one holds this license from the state may be because there is additional certification they receive outside of this licensure.
Representative Slottje said it was possible.
Senator McGough expressed concern about the possibility this removing this may have unintended second and third-order consequences.
Representative Slottje said he understood the concern however believes that if that was a problem we would likely be experiencing it already since no one holds the license.
Senator McGough asked about the possibility of removing the licensing but retaining the certification process
Representative Slottje stated that he had no objection to the idea.
Senator Altschiller asked about the risk of having mold remediators operating without licensing, particularly in historic districts where mold can be an issue.
Representative Slottje responded that it was an important concern however the scope of the licensure is only inspection and not remediation.
Summary of testimony presented in opposition:
Matt Mayberry of the New Hampshire Home Builders Association
- Mr. Mayberry expressed similar concern to Senator Altschiller.
- Mr. Mayberry explained that home inspectors will suggest consulting an expert if there is a concern about mold. Removing this statute could open an issue where anyone is an assessor and not just the relevant people in the field.
Senator Pearl asked about the fact that there are zero license holders.
Mr. Mayberry stated that certification would be fine, there simply needs to be a standard to hold potential inspectors to.
Senator Altschiller expressed concern that this would lead to relying on people who used to hold this certification continuing to do the work without maintaining certification.
Mr. Mayberry agreed.
Neutral Information Presented:
Deanna Jurius of OPLC
- Director Jurius expressed her willingness to take questions
Senator Reardon clarified that it is required to have licensure of some kind.
Director Jurius confirmed. There are all kinds of national certificate programs. The program does not come through the state. There are protections for home inspectors who are allowed to identify mold without this licensure.
Senator McGough asked if it was possible for someone to get a state licensure.
Director Jurius stated they could not.
Senator Reardon clarified that there is still a requirement to get a national license.
Director Jurius confirmed and said the language is confusing because this would normally be called a certification, not a license. In the strict sense, this program is not a license but a requirement to receive training. A similar example would CPR certification.
Senator Altschiller asked about mold remediation after exposure, and if citizens ask the state who they go to for remediation.
Director Jurius stated she was not sure since the statute only touches on assessment.
BM
Date Hearing Report completed: March 20, 2026