1 New Subdivision; Carbon Reduction Investment Program Study Commission. Amend RSA 125-O by inserting after section 29 the following new subdivision:

Carbon Reduction Investment Program Study Commission

125-O:30 Carbon Reduction Investment Program Study Commission.

I. There is established a commission to study a carbon reduction investment program for New Hampshire.

II. The members of the commission shall be as follows:

(a) Two members of the senate, one appointed by the president of the senate and one appointed by the minority leader, both members of the senate energy committee.

(b) Two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one appointed by the minority leader, both members of the science, technology and energy committee.

(c) Three representatives of the environmental community, one appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one appointed by the president of the senate, and one appointed by the governor.

(d) Three representatives of the business community, one appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one appointed by the president of the senate, and one appointed by the governor.

(e) Three members of the general public, at least one of whom shall represent low income ratepayers, appointed by the governor.

III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

IV. The commission shall study:

(a) The economic impact of a carbon reduction charge.

(b) At what level the charge ought to be levied.

(c) How such a charge could be used to reduce current business taxes in the state.

(d) How and to what degree would this charge be returned to businesses and individuals in the state.

V.(a) The commission may solicit input from all relevant entities including state agencies, appropriate businesses and information from surrounding states which have pursued similar programs through levying a carbon reduction charge.

(b) The commission may solicit funds and commission studies and analyses for the purposes of studying the objectives in paragraph IV.

VI. The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Seven members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

VII. On or before November 1, 2017, the commission shall submit an interim report of its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library. The commission shall provide a final report of its findings and recommendations on or before November 1, 2018.

2 Repeal. RSA 125-O:30, relative to the commission to study a carbon reduction investment program for New Hampshire, is repealed.

3 Effective Date.

I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2018.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.

1 New Subdivision; Carbon Reduction Investment Program Study Commission. Amend RSA 125-O by inserting after section 29 the following new subdivision:

Carbon Reduction Investment Program Study Commission

125-O:30 Carbon Reduction Investment Program Study Commission.

I. There is established a commission to study a carbon reduction investment program for New Hampshire.

II. The members of the commission shall be as follows:

(a) Two members of the senate, one appointed by the president of the senate and one appointed by the minority leader, both members of the senate energy committee.

(b) Two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one appointed by the minority leader, both members of the science, technology and energy committee.

(c) Three representatives of the environmental community, one appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one appointed by the president of the senate, and one appointed by the governor.

(d) Three representatives of the business community, one appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one appointed by the president of the senate, and one appointed by the governor.

(e) Three members of the general public, at least one of whom shall represent low income ratepayers, appointed by the governor.

III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

IV. The commission shall study:

(a) The economic impact of a carbon reduction charge.

(b) At what level the charge ought to be levied.

(c) How such a charge could be used to reduce current business taxes in the state.

(d) How and to what degree would this charge be returned to businesses and individuals in the state.

V.(a) The commission may solicit input from all relevant entities including state agencies, appropriate businesses and information from surrounding states which have pursued similar programs through levying a carbon reduction charge.

(b) The commission may solicit funds and commission studies and analyses for the purposes of studying the objectives in paragraph IV.

VI. The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Seven members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

VII. On or before November 1, 2017, the commission shall submit an interim report of its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library. The commission shall provide a final report of its findings and recommendations on or before November 1, 2018.

2 Repeal. RSA 125-O:30, relative to the commission to study a carbon reduction investment program for New Hampshire, is repealed.

3 Effective Date.

I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2018.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.