CHAPTER 96
SB 65-FN - FINAL VERSION
03/06/2025 0738s
1May2025... 1594h
2025 SESSION
25-0966
06/05
SENATE BILL 65-FN
AN ACT relative to stormwater management for solar arrays.
SPONSORS: Sen. Pearl, Dist 17
COMMITTEE: Energy and Natural Resources
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ANALYSIS
This bill exempts solar arrays from additional requirements not applicable to other types of development, requires a permit only if over 100,000 square feet of earthmoving or timber harvesting is involved, and renders unenforceable any contradictory administrative rules.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/06/2025 0738s
1May2025... 1594h 25-0966
06/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACT relative to stormwater management for solar arrays.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
96:1 Terrain Alteration; Rulemaking. RSA 485-A:17, II-a is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
II-a. By January 1, 2026, the department shall adopt rules to establish a permit by notification for alteration of terrain that is limited to the installation of solar panels and related structures if the generating capacity of the installed panels is less than or equal to 5 MW. These rules shall exclude projects located within protected shore-land areas pursuant to RSA 483-B from permit by notification and shall instead require such projects to undergo the standard alteration of terrain permit review process. Until completion of such rulemaking, the department shall consider waivers from the rules adopted pursuant to RSA 485-A:17, I, on a per case basis. Approval of such waivers shall not unreasonably be withheld.
96:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved: June 17, 2025
Effective Date: June 17, 2025
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Feb. 21, 2025 | 2025-0551s |
| March 5, 2025 | 2025-0738s |
| April 21, 2025 | 2025-1594h |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 28, 2025 | Senate | Hearing |
| March 6, 2025 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| April 7, 2025 | House | Hearing |
| April 14, 2025 | House | Exec Session |
| April 14, 2025 | House | Floor Vote |
June 18, 2025: Signed by the Governor on 06/17/2025; Chapter 0096; Effective 06/17/2025
June 9, 2025: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
June 9, 2025: Enrolled (in recess of) 06/05/2025 HJ 16
June 9, 2025: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
May 8, 2025: Sen. Avard Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
May 1, 2025: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-1594h: MA VV 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 8
May 1, 2025: Amendment # 2025-1594h: AA VV 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 8
April 21, 2025: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1594h 04/14/2025 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 22 P. 11
April 9, 2025: Executive Session: 04/14/2025 11:00 am LOB 302-304
April 2, 2025: Full Committee Work Session: 04/14/2025 09:00 am 302-304
March 31, 2025: Public Hearing: 04/07/2025 09:00 am LOB 302-304
March 28, 2025: Introduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 11 P. 110
March 6, 2025: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0738s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
March 6, 2025: Sen. Pearl Floor Amendment # 2025-0738s, AA, VV; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
March 6, 2025: Committee Amendment # 2025-0551s, AF, VV; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
March 6, 2025: SB 65 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
Feb. 21, 2025: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0551s, 03/06/2025; Vote 5-0; CC;
Jan. 23, 2025: Hearing: 01/28/2025, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 7
Jan. 15, 2025: Introduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 3