HB 1120 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

 

12Mar2020... 0971h

2020 SESSION

20-2075

05/06

 

HOUSE BILL 1120

 

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the establishment of water testing requirements for residential rental property.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. W. Thomas, Hills. 21; Rep. DesMarais, Carr. 6; Rep. Chase, Straf. 18; Rep. Frost, Straf. 16; Rep. Coursin, Rock. 1; Rep. Stack, Hills. 21; Rep. Eisner, Rock. 6; Rep. DiLorenzo, Rock. 17

 

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

 

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 

This bill establishes a committee to study the establishment of water testing requirements for residential rental property.

 

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

12Mar2020... 0971h 20-2075

05/06

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty

 

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the establishment of water testing requirements for residential rental property.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Committee Established.  There is established a committee to study the establishment of water testing requirements for residential rental property.

2  Membership and Compensation.

I.  The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a)  Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b)  Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II.  Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

3  Duties.

I.  The committee shall study the establishment of water testing requirements for residential rental property.  The study shall include consideration of:

(a)  The frequency and type of water testing to be required for residential rental property and the circumstances under which remediation may be required.

(b)  An appropriate legal remedy and enforcement mechanism, including enabling tenants to withhold rent in appropriate cases.

(c)  The role of the attorney general and the department of environmental services in implementing and enforcing a water testing and remediation requirement.

(d)  A program to inform tenants and landlords of their rights and responsibilities regarding water quality in residential rental property.

II.  The committee shall solicit information and testimony from any individual or entity the committee deems relevant to its study.

4  Chairperson; Quorum.  The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members.  The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member.  The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.  Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

5  Report.  The committee shall report its findings and any 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, 2020.

6  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.