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Committee votes 15–1 to recommend ITL on HB 10-28, citing tax/jurisdiction concerns
Summary
The Science, Technology and Energy Committee voted 15–1 to recommend ITL (Inexpedient to Legislate) on House Bill 10-28, which would change the definition of 'renewable generation facility.' Members said the bill is primarily a tax/ways-and-means issue and largely addresses a local dispute.
The Science, Technology and Energy Committee voted to recommend ITL (Inexpedient to Legislate) on House Bill 10-28 on March 3 after extended debate about the bill's scope and jurisdiction.
Representative Schneller moved the ITL motion and Representative Nader seconded. Members broadly described the bill as more properly a tax matter for the Ways and Means Committee or an issue to be resolved locally between a municipality and a developer. Representative Schneller said he did not believe the bill "fixes anything statewide" and argued local disputes should be handled locally rather than by changing state law. Representative Harrington noted the statutory language in RSA 72:74 (paragraph 5) and said the underlying statute was intended to ensure comparable treatment for renewable generation facility agreements.
Representative LaRochelle and others said local stakeholders, including the New Hampshire Local Government Center and assessors' association, had weighed in, but members nonetheless concluded the bill should not proceed in this committee. The chair noted the committee had recommitted the bill earlier and that, because of calendar deadlines, the bill could not be sent to Ways and Means during the current session and would likely need to be refiled next session if a different pathway is desired.
The committee adopted the ITL motion by a roll-call vote of 15–1. Representative Schneller was selected to write the majority report. The committee agreed not to place the bill on the consent calendar so the bill could be debated on the House floor if necessary.
