Bill Text - HB1134 (2022)

Establishing a commission to study proper labeling and disposal of disposable wipes.


Revision: Nov. 17, 2021, 9:13 a.m.

HB 1134  - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2022 SESSION

22-2097

08/04

 

HOUSE BILL 1134

 

AN ACT establishing a commission to study proper labeling and disposal of disposable wipes.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Buco, Carr. 2; Rep. Thompson, Coos 1; Rep. Suzanne Smith, Graf. 8; Sen. Sherman, Dist 24

 

COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

 

ANALYSIS

 

This bill establishes a commission to study proper labeling and disposable wipes.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

22-2097

08/04

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Two

 

AN ACT establishing a commission to study proper labeling and disposal of disposable wipes.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  New Section; Disposable Wipes Study Commission.  Amend RSA 149-M by inserting after section 28 the following new section:

149-M:28-a  Disposable Wipes Study Commission.

I. There is established a commission to study ways to encourage the proper labeling of disposable wipes products and assessing the impact to public wastewater infrastructure of improper disposal of wipes.

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

(a)  Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b)  One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

(c)  Two representatives of the department of environmental services, appointed by the commissioner of the department of environmental services.

(d)  One representative of the New Hampshire Association of Septage Haulers, appointed by that association.

(e)  One representative of the New Hampshire Municipal Association, appointed by that association.

(f)  Two representatives of the wastewater treatment industry, appointed by the New Hampshire Water Pollution Control Association.

(g)  One representative of the Granite State Rural Water Association, appointed by that association.

(h)  One representative from the New Hampshire Business and Industry Association, appointed by that association.

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)  Ways to ensure the proper labeling of disposable wipes by manufacturers.

(b)  The costs to New Hampshire municipalities for impacts to wastewater infrastructure from wipes that are flushed.

(c)  Steps other states are taking to address the challenge of disposable wipes on wastewater infrastructure.

(d)  The ability of the department of environmental services to assist municipalities regarding public outreach and education for preventing disposable wipes from impairing wastewater infrastructure.   

V.  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 house member.  The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.  Six members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

VI.  The commission shall report 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, 2023.

2  Repeal.  RSA 149-M:28-a, relative to the disposable wipes study commission, is repealed.

3  Effective Date.  

I.  Section 2 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2023.

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