New Hampshire House Bill HB253

New Hampshire 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/23
• Refer: 1/9/23
• Report Pass: 3/13/23
• Engrossed: 3/21/23
• Refer: 3/21/23
• Report Pass: 5/25/23
• Report Pass: 6/1/23
• Enrolled: 6/20/23
• Chaptered: 7/12/23
• Passed: 7/12/23

Caption

Establishing a committee to study extended producer responsibility.

Impact

The implementation of HB 253 could significantly affect local laws and regulations concerning waste management in New Hampshire. By studying EPR, which may involve industries taking responsibility for their products throughout their lifecycle, the bill aims to create a legislative framework that would reduce the environmental impact of waste. A successful resolution could alleviate costs borne by municipalities, which would indirectly affect taxpayers. The committee's recommendations could potentially lead to new laws that impose stricter standards on producers regarding waste management.

Summary

House Bill 253 establishes a committee dedicated to studying extended producer responsibility (EPR) as a strategy to alleviate the financial burden local municipalities face from solid waste disposal. This bill aims to address the growing concerns surrounding waste management and to explore effective mechanisms for waste reduction. The committee will be tasked with assessing existing EPR laws from various states and international jurisdictions, identifying how they might be adapted to New Hampshire's solid waste recovery infrastructure, and determining potential support required from the state's Department of Environmental Services.

Contention

Potential points of contention may arise concerning the delegation of responsibilities to producers and how these regulations might impact businesses, consumer prices, or local government autonomy. Some stakeholders may argue that imposing additional responsibilities on manufacturers could lead to increased costs that are ultimately passed on to consumers. Furthermore, there may be debates about what items should fall under the EPR program and how effectively the state's current waste management systems can support these new policies.