HB 372 - AS INTRODUCED
2023 SESSION
23-0306
08/04
HOUSE BILL 372
SPONSORS: Rep. Caplan, Merr. 8; Rep. McMahon, Rock. 17
COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a commission to study the short and long-term impacts of pending national and regional carbon pricing mechanisms on New Hampshire's citizens, businesses, institutions, and environment.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
23-0306
08/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three
AN ACT establishing a commission to study the short and long-term impacts of pending national and regional carbon pricing mechanisms on New Hampshire's citizens, businesses, institutions, and environment.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Findings. The general court finds growing support and implementation of carbon pricing instruments in the United States and around the world, including key trading partners of New Hampshire's both domestic and international. There is also growing acceptance of carbon pricing instruments as an effective, market-based means of attaining important climate protection goals driving our nation's and state's current transition away from fossil fuels. New Hampshire should begin to prepare for any changes due to regional or national carbon pricing instruments by studying their potential impacts.
2 New Subdivision; Study Commission on the Public Health, Economic, Environmental and Climate Impacts of National and Regional Carbon Pricing Mechanisms. Amend RSA 12-A by inserting after section 70 the following new subdivision:
Economic Impact of National Carbon Pricing Study Commission
12-A:71 Economic Impact of National Carbon Pricing Study Commission.
I. There is established a commission to study the short and long term impacts of pending national and regional carbon pricing mechanisms on New Hampshire's citizens, businesses, institutions, and environment.
II. The commission shall consist of the following members:
(a) Two members of the house science, technology, and energy committee, one appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one appointed by the minority leader.
(b) Two at-large members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one appointed by the minority leader.
(c) Two members of the senate energy and natural resources committee, one appointed by the president of the senate and one appointed by the minority leader.
(d) Two at-large members of the senate, one appointed by the president of the senate and one appointed by the minority leader.
(e) One representative of the business and industry community, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(f) The commissioner of the department of business and economic affairs, or his or her designee.
(g) The commissioner of the department of environmental services, or his or her designee.
(h) One representative from an Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) environmental organization, appointed by the governor.
(i) One representative from an electric distribution company, appointed by the governor.
(j) The consumer advocate of the office of the consumer advocate, or his or her designee.
III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
IV. The commission shall study and receive testimony, advice, and other information, at its discretion, from relevant state, regional, and national agencies, organizations, and individuals as to:
(a) The various carbon pricing programs being proposed at the regional and national level and in surrounding states.
(b) The effects such pricing would have on public health, including the morbidity and mortality effects of both reduced greenhouse gas emissions and non-greenhouse gas pollution.
(c) The short and long term effects such pricing would have on state energy costs.
(d) The effects such pricing would have on in-state businesses, municipalities, industries, agriculture, tourism, and the state’s job market.
(e) The short term and long-term effects such pricing would have on current residents and prospective migration.
(f) The short term and long-term effects such pricing would have on the state budget and the state's economy.
(g) Whether or not to recommend introducing carbon pricing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and if so, how a carbon pricing program should be structured.
(h) The short and long-term health and economic impacts of such a fee structure.
(i) How and to what extent the fees collected might be returned in whole or in part to New Hampshire’s residents, businesses, and municipalities.
V. The commission shall solicit information as needed from outside individuals, organizations, and groups.
VI. At the conclusion of its study, the commission shall issue a public report containing its findings regarding each of the points listed in paragraph IV and make appropriate recommendations to prepare the state for the pending introduction of carbon pricing at the national and regional level, and in neighboring states.
VII. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members, and hold the first meeting of the commission within 45 days of the effective date of this section. The first named house member shall call the first meeting. Nine members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
VIII. The commission shall report its findings and recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2023.
3 Repeal. RSA 12-A:71, relative to the commission to study the short and long -term impacts of pending national and regional carbon pricing mechanisms, is repealed.
I. Section 3 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2023.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.