Bill > HB1426

This bill requires the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) to ensure that each of its program areas with regulatory, permitting, or enforcement responsibilities has at least one certified individual available on call, either as a direct employee or through a contracted arrangement. The goal is to have at least one staff member with a current, valid certification or license in each program area they serve. The bill provides several key protections for these certified individuals, including exempting them from certification maintenance requirements that could create conflicts of interest, relieving them from paying licensing fees while employed by DES, and protecting them from personal liability for damages arising from their official duties. The department can use existing appropriations, federal grants, or program fees to cover the costs of training and certification. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2027, and is expected to result in additional state expenditures estimated between $100,000 to $500,000 annually, with the department planning to meet the requirements by incorporating certification requirements into job postings, upskilling existing staff, and contracting for certified individuals as needed.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1744&inflect=2