New Hampshire Lakes Association - Legislative Weekly




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Lakes Legislative Weekly

February 7, 2010

The 2010 legislative session is under way. NH LAKES is very active again this year, initiating four bills. They include:

House Bill 1299 - Restricting Phosphorus in Residential Lawn Fertilizer

Will prohibit the sale and distribution of residential lawn fertilizer containing phosphorus. Phosphorus has a significant detrimental impact to lakes and rivers, often acting as a fertilizer for aquatic vegetation, leading to overabundant plant and algal growth.

Most New Hampshire soils do not require phosphorus fertilizers, and phosphorus-free lawn fertilizers are available through several manufacturers.

If successful, New Hampshire would be only the second state in the country to initiate the removal of phosphorus from residential lawn fertilizer to protect water quality. (Minnesota is the other state.)

ACTION: Hearing this Thursday, February 11, at 10 am in Room 308 of the Legislative Office Building in Concord. Please call a member of the House Environment and Agriculture Committee and let them know how important this bill is to water quality!

House Bill 1298 - Creation of a Septic System Commission

This bill would establish a commission to review all the issues relating to septic systems in New Hampshire, including new technology that would provide smaller, more efficient alternatives.

HB 1298 is currently in the NH House of Representatives in the Resources, Recreation & Development Committee.

ACTION: Hearing this Tuesday, February 9 at 1:30 pm in Room 305 of the Legislative Office Building in Concord. Please attend and sign in to support the bill!

Senate Bill 442 - Improve Access to Funding for Exotic Aquatic Weed Prevention Programs (like Lake Host™)

Changes language to provide for the cost associated with the administration of the granting program, and revises language to include a minimum of ¾ of the funds go toward prevention grants, recognizing that a total of $4 for every boat registration goes toward prevention now (up from $3 before).

This bill is currently in the NH Senate Energy, Environment and Economic Development Committee.

ACTION: Please call a member of the Senate Committee and ask them to pass the bill as written!

Senate Bill 408 - Establish Purchasing Alliances for Affordable Insurance

This bill would allow nonprofits and small businesses to form purchasing alliances to bring down costs associated with health insurance.

Nonprofit organizations provide many of the services to New Hampshire citizens, yet the rising costs associated with health insurance has been a burden that is preventing some organizations from fulfilling their mission. This bill will help alleviate those costs by establishing more affordable insurance premiums.

This bill is currently before the NH Senate Commerce, Labor and Consumer Protection Committee.

During the coming weeks, I will update you on other pieces of lake-related legislation, including a bill to make the Lake Winnipesaukee speed limit permanent.

Please visit our website regularly for the latest information.

And, to find out who your legislators are and to contact them, visit: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/ie/whosmyleg/

Thank you,

Jared A. Teutsch
President
NH LAKES