HB1462: placing a temporary moratorium on the issue of certain water permits.

HB 1462-FN-LOCAL – AS INTRODUCED

2006 SESSION

06-2779

06/10

HOUSE BILL 1462-FN-LOCAL

AN ACT placing a temporary moratorium on the issue of certain water permits.

SPONSORS: Rep. Cilley, Straf 3; Rep. Keans, Straf 1; Rep. Cataldo, Straf 3; Rep. Spang, Straf 7; Sen. Hassan, Dist 23; Sen. Estabrook, Dist 21

COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development

ANALYSIS

This bill places a moratorium on large groundwater withdrawal permits and permits to use a source of water for the manufacture of bottled water until the commission to study issues relative to groundwater withdrawals issues its final report. Permits for public water supply needs are exempt from the moratorium.

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

06-2779

06/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Six

AN ACT placing a temporary moratorium on the issue of certain water permits.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Moratorium on the Issue of Large Groundwater Withdrawal Permits and Permits to use a Source of Water for the Manufacture of Bottled Water. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, there is hereby established a moratorium on the issue of large groundwater withdrawal permits and permits to use a source of water for the manufacture of bottled water, which shall be in effect from the effective date of this act until 90 days after the date the commission to study issues relative to groundwater withdrawals, established by 2003, 305, and amended by 2005, 287 issues its final report. Permits for public water supply needs shall be exempt from the moratorium.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

LBAO

06-2779

11/22/05

HB 1462-FN-LOCAL - FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT placing a temporary moratorium on the issue of certain water permits.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Department of Environmental Services determined this bill may decrease state, county and local revenue in FY 2006 and each year thereafter. The NH Municipal Association determined this bill may decrease local expenditures in FY 2006 and each year thereafter. There will be no fiscal impact on state and county expenditures.

METHODOLOGY:

The Department of Environmental Services (DES) and NH Municipal Association (NHMA) state this bill places a moratorium on the issuance of permits for new sources of bottled water and all large groundwater withdrawals. This bill exempts large groundwater withdrawals associated with public water supplies from the moratorium. The DES indicated that a moratorium on permits will impact the development of business, industry, and agriculture. This may impact state tax revenue paid by and received from these businesses. In addition, this may also impact commercial developments, which in turn could impact state, county, and local property taxes. The NHMA indicated a moratorium may reduce local expenditures since time and resources would not be expended reviewing whether groundwater applications comply with appropriate local ordinances.