SB 541-FN-A - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
03/26/2026 1274s
2026 SESSION
26-2151
08/05
SENATE BILL 541-FN-A
AN ACT relative to capital appropriations for regional drinking water infrastructure.
SPONSORS: Sen. Abbas, Dist 22; Sen. McGough, Dist 11; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Rep. DeSimone, Rock. 18; Rep. Donnelly, Rock. 25; Rep. Harb, Rock. 20; Rep. Nelson, Rock. 13; Rep. Sweeney, Rock. 25
COMMITTEE: Finance
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill:
I. Makes an appropriation to the department of environmental services to the Pillsbury Lake Village District for the purpose of addressing loan costs associated with certain water system upgrades.
II. Requires a share of moneys appropriated to the department of environmental services in 2020 to be used for the Southern New Hampshire Regional Water Interconnection Project.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/26/2026 1274s 26-2151
08/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to capital appropriations for regional drinking water infrastructure.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Project Amended; Department of Environmental Services. Amend 2020, 30:6 to read as follows:
30:6 Capital Appropriation; Department of Environmental Services. The sum of $50,000,000 is hereby appropriated to the department of environmental services for capital expenditures for the remediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the state’s drinking water sources and wastewater residuals, which expenditures may include loans to public or private entities on such terms and conditions as the department of environmental services shall determine. Of the amounts appropriated, $5,000,000 shall be a grant and used for the Southern New Hampshire Regional Water Interconnection Project, Phase 2B. To provide funds for the appropriation made in this section, the state treasurer is hereby authorized to borrow upon the credit of the state not exceeding the sum of $50,000,000 and for said purpose may issue bonds and notes in the name of and on behalf of the state of New Hampshire in accordance with RSA 6-13-e. Notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 9:18, the appropriation made in this section shall not lapse.
2 Appropriation; Department of Environmental Services; Pipe, Water Filtration and Well Upgrades; Pillsbury Lake Village District. Amend 2025, 141:380 to read as follows:
141:380 Appropriation; Department of Environmental Services; Pipe, Water Filtration, and Well Upgrades; Pillsbury Lake Village District. The sum of $325,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 2027, is appropriated to the department of environmental services to the Pillsbury Lake Village District for the purpose of addressing [loan] costs associated with the following upgrades:
I. Piping Upgrades: $155,000 to cover a loan used for upgrading the pipes under Concord Drive in Webster.
II. Water Filtration Upgrade: $105,000 to cover a loan for upgrading the water filtration system.
III. [New Well Development] Water System Improvements: $65,000 to cover [a loan for digging a new well, known as the Franklin-Pierce well, which requires less processing and will reduce overall costs] water system improvements as agreed upon by both the department of environmental services and Pillsbury Lake Village District.
The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
26-2151
04/06/2026
SB 541-FN-A- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT # 2026-1274s)
AN ACT relative to capital appropriations for regional drinking water infrastructure.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Estimated Political Subdivision Impact | ||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 |
Local Revenue | $0 | Indeterminable Increase up to $5,000,000 | $0 | |
Local Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable Increase up to $5,000,000 | $0 | |
METHODOLOGY:
This bill does not impact state or county revenue or expenditures.
Section one of this bill directs that $5,000,000 of the existing $50,000,000 capital appropriation made to the Department of Environmental Services in 2020 for the remediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the state’s drinking water sources and wastewater residuals be used as a grant for the Southern New Hampshire Regional Water Interconnection Project, Phase 2B. This funding will increase local revenue and expenditures by up to $5,000,000.
Section two of this bill revises the purpose of $65,000 of the appropriation enacted in Laws 2025, 141:380, from new well development to water system improvements, as agreed upon by both the Department of Environmental Services and the Pillsbury Lake Village District. This section further allows the Department to pay the District directly versus the District needing to take a loan out prior to submitting for reimbursement from the Department. This change may decrease costs to the District related to acquiring a loan.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
None
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| March 18, 2026 | 2026-1223s |
| March 26, 2026 | 2026-1274s |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 20, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| Jan. 20, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| March 26, 2026 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| April 7, 2026 | House | Hearing |
April 1, 2026: Public Hearing: 04/07/2026 10:00 am GP 228
March 27, 2026: Introduced 03/26/2026 and referred to Public Works and Highways HJ 9
March 26, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1274s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
March 26, 2026: Sen. Lang Floor Amendment # 2026-1274s, AA, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
March 26, 2026: Committee Amendment # 2026-1223s, AF, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
March 26, 2026: SB 541 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
March 18, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1223s, 03/26/2026; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 11
Jan. 14, 2026: Hearing: 01/20/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:15 pm; SC 1
Jan. 8, 2026: Hearing: 01/20/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:15 pm; SC 1
Nov. 24, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Finance; SJ 1