Revision: Nov. 2, 2021, 3 p.m.
HB 1066 - AS INTRODUCED
2022 SESSION
22-2053
08/11
HOUSE BILL 1066
SPONSORS: Rep. Rung, Hills. 21; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5
COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a commission to investigate and analyze the environmental and human and animal health impacts relating to cyanobacteria blooms in New Hampshire water bodies.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
22-2053
08/11
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Two
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Cyanobacteria Bloom Study Commission. Amend RSA 487 by inserting after section 25 the following new section:
487:25-a Mycobacteria Bloom Study Commission.
I. There is established a commission to study environmental and human and animal health impacts resulting from cyanobacteria blooms in New Hampshire water bodies.
II. The members of the commission shall be as follows:
(1) Five members of the house of representatives, 3 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and 2 of whom shall be appointed by the house minority leader.
(2) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(3) The commissioner of the department of environmental services, or designee.
(4) The harmful algal and cyanobacterial bloom program coordinator from the department of environmental services, or designee.
(5) The commissioner of the department of health and human services, or designee.
(6) The executive director of fish and game department, or designee.
(7) An environmental engineer specializing in watershed management planning.
(8) A professor from the university of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology, appointed by that institution.
(9) A representative from the New Hampshire Veterinary Medical Association, appointed by the association.
(10) A representative of NH LAKES, appointed by that organization.
(11) Three residents with experience as lake lay monitors or as members of lake watershed associations, recommended by the senators appointed to the commission and appointed by the president of the senate.
III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
IV. The commission's study shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) Obtaining information necessary to delineate the extent of cyanobacteria blooms in New Hampshire water bodies.
(b) Assessing and implementing steps necessary to investigate human and animal health impacts from cyanobacteria blooms.
(c) Assessing sources and impacts to surface water that contribute to cyanobacteria blooms.
(d) Assessing whether shoreline regulations are sufficient to minimize cyanobacteria blooms.
(e) Receiving updates at each commission meeting from the department of environmental services and the department of health and human services on matters including but not limited to, scientific findings and related materials, advisory actions, and state and federal actions regarding cyanobacteria.
(f) Developing prioritized governmental and community actions.
(g) Delineating the potential roles and responsibilities for municipalities, state agencies, and their partners.
(h) Communicating to the public about the environmental and human and animal impacts of cyanotoxin exposure investigation and analysis.
(i) Assessing whether current rules or regulations are sufficiently protective of human and animal health and propose legislation, as necessary, to protect human and animal health.
(j) Recommending legislation, as necessary, to carry out the charge of the commission or resulting from any commission findings.
V. The commission shall solicit information from any person or entity the commission deems relevant to its study. The commission may, with input from a state agency or agencies, decide whether additional appropriations are necessary to complete the work of the commission.
VI. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house 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. The commission shall submit an interim report of its findings on November 1, 2023 and each year thereafter, and a final report of its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2026.
2 Repeal. RSA 487:25-a, relative to the cyanobacteria bloom study commission, is repealed.
I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2026.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.