Bill would add $4 per ton fee on bulk road salt to fund grants for salt‑reduction equipment and training

CONCORD — Representative Veil Darby told the committee that HB 1810 would add a $4 fee on bulk road salt and equivalents and direct proceeds to a Salt Road Mitigation Fund at the Department of Environmental Services to subsidize equipment, storage, and certification for operators that reduce salt use.

"The only solution to reducing salt pollution is to reduce salt usage," Darby told the committee, citing studies showing increasing chloride levels in surface and groundwater. He said the fund would support the Green Snow Pro voluntary program and reduce barriers to municipal and commercial participation by offsetting upfront equipment costs.

Ted Diers, assistant director of DES's Water Division, told lawmakers the state has tracked a doubling of surface‑water chloride concentrations over 30 years and a roughly 150% increase in groundwater chlorides. DES said it would distribute grants to small commercial applicators and municipalities to help them buy brine application equipment and upgrade storage to prevent runoff.

Alan Hanscomb, state highway maintenance engineer for NHDOT, said the proposed $4 fee would increase DOT's winter‑maintenance costs roughly 2% (an estimated $785,000–$800,000 annually for state highways) and that grants should be available to offset equipment and maintenance costs. DRA advised the committee on administrative costs (system and collection) and noted the bill would create a new tax type requiring IT and staffing resources.

Supporters including lake and water‑quality groups warned that rising sodium and chloride levels have already forced some municipalities to close wells and that reducing over‑salting has public‑health and infrastructure benefits. The committee closed the hearing and asked for further technical input on collection and grant rules.