Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Max Taylor 271-1403
HB 355, relative to the membership of the solid waste working group.
Hearing Date: April 10, 2025
Time Opened: 9:30 a.m. Time Closed: 9:36 a.m.
Members of the Committee Present: Senators Pearl, McConkey, and Rosenwald
Members of the Committee Absent : Senators Avard and Watters
Bill Analysis: This bill changes a member on the solid waste working group and extends the due dates for interim and final reports.
Sponsors:
Rep. Ebel | Rep. J. Aron | Rep. Bixby |
Rep. Creighton | Rep. M. Murray | Sen. Altschiller |
Sen. Avard | Sen. Pearl | Sen. Watters |
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Who supports the bill: Representative Karen Ebel (Merrimack County District 7), Representative Peter Bixby (Strafford County District 13), Matt Leahy (Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests)
Who opposes the bill:
Who is neutral on the bill:
Summary of testimony presented in support:
Senator Mark McConkey
Senate District 3
- Senator McConkey introduced HB 355 on behalf of Representative Ebel, the bill’s prime sponsor.
- He explained the bill changes the membership of the Solid Waste Working Group by replacing one of the appointed organizations and extends the deadlines for both the interim and final reports issued by the working group.
Matt Leahy
Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests
- Mr. Leahy testified in support of the bill and stated the Forest Society would be happy to serve on the Solid Waste Working Group if the bill becomes law.
- He clarified the Forest Society is not an expert in solid waste management but brings a valuable environmental and land management perspective to the table, given its role as a nonprofit land trust and forestry organization.
- Mr. Leahy emphasized that solid waste management intersects with environmental concerns such as land, water, and forest resource protection, and the Forest Society’s involvement could help ensure those issues are adequately considered.
- He noted that the Forest Society collaborates with groups like The Nature Conservancy, which could provide additional expertise on environmental impacts related to waste management.
- Senator Rosenwald asked why the Northeast Recycling Council is being replaced on the committee.
- Mr. Leahy explained that, based on his conversations with Representative Ebel, the issue was that they did not have the time or capacity to attend meetings.
- Senator Pearl asked if there is another recycling group already represented on the board.
- Mr. Leahy stated Reagan Binet from another northeast recycling-related organization is currently on the committee.
- Senator McConkey asked if the Forests Society oppose all landfill siting, or are there cases where a landfill could be compatible with forest and groundwater protections.
- Mr. Leahy explained the Forests Society does not have a blanket policy opposing landfills. He stated their position is site-specific, depending on the proposal’s environmental impact.
- Mr. Leahy explained if a landfill were proposed near one of their reservations, they would evaluate potential effects on adjacent land and groundwater.
- Senator Pearl asked Mr. Leahy to clarify if the working group does not make landfill siting decisions. Rather, it focuses on broader solid waste issues such as recycling and management recommendations.
- Mr. Leahy confirmed that the working group does not make landfill siting decisions.
Summary of testimony presented in opposition: None.
Neutral Information Presented: None.
MT
Date Hearing Report completed: April 11, 2025