NH HB215

Landfill permit applicants must demonstrate a "net public benefit" (benefits outweigh harms) rather than the current "substantial public benefit" standard before the Department of Environmental Services (DES) completes technical review

An independent third-party contractor, selected through a process involving DES, the host community, and the applicant, must conduct an assessment of potential harms (health impacts, property values, tourism, traffic, emissions) and benefits (economic, infrastructure improvements) at the applicant's expense

New landfills or expansions must address state capacity needs, with permits granted only if the state faces a capacity shortfall for at least half the permit years; new landfills cannot accept waste until a shortfall year begins

DES must consult with the departments of Transportation, Business and Economic Affairs, and Natural and Cultural Resources to evaluate traffic, economic, and tourism impacts as part of the net public benefit determination

Estimated state expenditures increase by $153,000 in FY 2026, $196,000 in FY 2027, and $202,000 in FY 2028 for additional staff; the bill takes effect 60 days after passage