Bill > HB1461

This bill encourages municipalities with sewage systems to extend their services to neighboring communities by establishing an expedited review process and providing priority for such projects. The bill requires the Department of Environmental Services (DES) to create a streamlined approval process for sewer system extensions that meet certain criteria, such as being consistent with regional plans, supporting housing projects, or addressing economic development needs. The legislation allows municipalities to enter into intermunicipal agreements under RSA 53-A to extend sewer services and enables them to recover construction and operational costs through user fees or impact fees. In cases of compelling necessity, such as significant public health risks or barriers to housing goals, the DES commissioner can even require approval of a sewer extension over local objections, provided that existing ratepayers are not negatively impacted and the requesting municipality covers the associated costs. The bill also gives priority to these intermunicipal sewer extension projects within existing loan and grant programs, aims to support regional infrastructure development, and will take effect 60 days after its passage. While the bill does not provide additional funding, it creates a framework to facilitate and potentially expedite regional sewer infrastructure collaborations.

Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=2426&inflect=2