Bill Text: NH SB71 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishing a commission to develop science-based emissions reduction goals for the state of New Hampshire.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-2)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-11 - Pending Motion Committee Amendment # 2021-0605s; 03/11/2021; Senate Journal 7 [SB71 Detail]
Download: New_Hampshire-2021-SB71-Introduced.html
SB 71 - AS INTRODUCED
2021 SESSION
21-0610
08/05
SENATE BILL 71
SPONSORS: Sen. Sherman, Dist 24; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Sen. Reagan, Dist 17; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Soucy, Dist 18; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Whitley, Dist 15; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Cavanaugh, Dist 16; Rep. McGhee, Hills. 27; Rep. Oxenham, Sull. 1; Rep. Woods, Merr. 23; Rep. Knirk, Carr. 3
COMMITTEE: Energy and Natural Resources
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a commission to develop science-based emissions reduction goals for the state of New Hampshire.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
21-0610
08/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty One
AN ACT establishing a commission to develop science-based emissions reduction goals for the state of New Hampshire.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Findings. The general court finds that New Hampshire’s public health, economy, natural resources and quality of life are threatened by increased air pollution and emissions impacting public health and climate change. The 2020 Ad Hoc Emissions Commission was convened in response to these concerns. The majority of that commission’s members agreed, based on scientific evidence and health data presented, that New Hampshire should develop an emission reduction goal for 2050 of net zero emissions or a similar goal, provided that such goal or standard is clearly defined and allows for the development of programs that would effectively and equitably accomplish said goal in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change and protect public health, including the health of New Hampshire’s most vulnerable residents. Other members of the commission believed that further analysis is warranted regarding the potential costs and benefits of implementation of such a goal. The general court finds therefore that while more work is needed on the strategy and process of implementation of any emission reduction goal, New Hampshire should seek these solutions that reduce emissions, protect public health, stimulate economic growth, protect the environment and communities, and retain New Hampshire’s competitive advantage.
2 New Subdivision; Science Based Emissions Standards Study Commission. Amend RSA 125-C by inserting after section 21 the following new subdivision:
Science Based Emissions Standards Study Commission
125-C:22 Commission Established.
I. There is established a commission to develop science-based emissions reduction goals for the state of New Hampshire.
II. The members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the senate, one from the majority appointed by the senate president and one from the minority nominated by the senate minority leader and appointed by the senate president. One member shall be from the energy and natural resources committee, and one shall be from the health and human services committee.
(b) Three members of the house of representatives, 2 from the majority appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one from the minority nominated by the minority leader of the house of representatives and appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. Of the 3, one member shall be from the science, technology and energy committee, and one shall be from the health and human services committee.
(c) The commissioner of the department of environmental services, or designee.
(d) The director of the office of strategic initiatives, or designee.
(e) The director of the division of public health services, department of health and human services, or designee.
(f) The commissioner of the department of transportation, or designee.
(g) The commissioner of the department of business and economic affairs, or designee.
(h) The chair of the public utilities commission, or designee.
(i) One member representing the New Hampshire Medical Society, appointed by that society.
(j) One member representing the New Hampshire Public Health Association, appointed by that association.
(k) One member representing the state’s regulated utilities, appointed by the president of the senate.
(l) One member representing from the New Hampshire environmental community, appointed by the president of the senate.
(m) One member representing Clean Energy NH, appointed by that organization.
(n) One member representing the New Hampshire Municipal Association, appointed by that association.
(o) One member representing the New Hampshire Hospital Association, appointed by that association.
(p) One member representing the NAACP in New Hampshire, appointed by that organization.
(q) One member representing the New Hampshire Auto Dealers, appointed by that organization.
(r) One member representing the New Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, appointed by that organization.
(s) One member representing Stay Work Play New Hampshire, appointed by that organization.
(t) One member representing the university of New Hampshire, appointed by the chancellor.
III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
IV. The commission may solicit input and receive public testimony from any person or entity the commission deems relevant to its study.
V. The committee shall consider and make specific recommendations on the following items:
(a) A science-based emissions reduction goal for the state to achieve by 2050.
(b) Interim goals for emission reductions in 2030 and 2040, necessary to meet the 2050 goal.
(c) The processes and timelines for developing implementation plans to achieve the science-based emissions reduction levels.
(d) Identify the state agencies responsible, including a lead agency, for developing, implementing and reporting on the emission reduction levels identified, as well as public health outcomes.
VI. For purposes of this study commission:
(a) “Public health” means the health and well-being of people and their communities to be achieved by preventing disease and injury and improving quality of life. Public health includes the protection of people and communities from diseases or injury caused directly or indirectly by air pollution from emissions including, but not limited to, extreme weather related illness such as dehydration, heat stroke, and from increases in diseases of the heart and lung, allergy-related illness, cases of vector-borne disease such as Lyme disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and West Nile virus, and water borne illness.
(b) “Emissions” means any chemical or physical substance that is emitted into the air and that may reasonably be anticipated to cause or contribute to climate change, including its associated public health impacts. This includes, but is not limited to, carbon dioxide, mercury, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, hydrocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride and particulates.
VII. 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 senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 30 days of the effective date of this section. Twelve members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
VIII. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before December 1, 2021. The report shall describe the activities and findings of the commission and recommendations for proposed legislation and rulemaking by relevant agencies.
3 Repeal. RSA 125-C:22, relative to the commission to study science based emissions standards, is repealed.
I. Section 3 of this act shall take effect December 1, 2021.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
