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Committee backs redirect of $5 million for regional PFAS water interconnection; some members push polluter‑pay question
Summary
The Finance Committee voted to report SB 541, which redirects $5 million of a prior capital appropriation to a Southern New Hampshire regional water interconnection project and repurposes another appropriation; supporters framed it as infrastructure and non‑fiscal in net, while one member urged polluter responsibility rather than state remediation.
The Finance Committee advanced Senate Bill 541 FA, a measure that redirects $5 million of a prior $50 million capital appropriation for PFAS remediation to a grant supporting the Southern New Hampshire regional water interconnection project and changes the purpose of a prior appropriation from new‑well development to water‑system improvements. Representative Campbells presented the bill and Representative Veil moved that the bill ‘ought to pass,’ noting the bill has no net fiscal impact on state revenues or expenditures.
Representative Run registered opposition on the record, saying the state should avoid spending taxpayer dollars to clean up private companies’ contamination and urging future votes to hold polluters accountable. He cited contamination tied to specific industrial sites in Southern New Hampshire and said remediation costs should not fall to the public.
The clerk called the roll and the transcript reports the committee vote in favor with the motion adopted; the chair said it will go on consent.
Committee supporters emphasized ensuring safe drinking water and using existing appropriations to support regional infrastructure projects; opponents emphasized accountability for polluters.
