Northern Pass

HB 648 1/25/12:
The NH Senate debated and passed HB 648 as amended. roll call.

Bradley-Carson Amendment
This is the amendment that was passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee on 12/8/11 and approved by the full senate on 1/25/12 by voice vote.

Carson Amendment
This is the Carson Amendment that makes a change to the Bradley-Carson Amendment. Approved by the full senate on 1/25/12 by voice vote.

Bragdon/Forrester/Merrill/Barnes Amendment
This is the Bragdon/Forrester/Merrill/Barnes Amendment that limits the power of eminent domain. Approved by the full senate on 1/25/12 by roll call.

Larsen Amendment
This is the Larsen Amendment that establishes a study committee to investigate eminent domain procedures and studies burying transmission lines along state-owned Right-of-Ways. Approved by the full senate on 1/25/12.

Audio:

Full Debate
This is the complete audio of the proceedings. Periods of recess have been edited out.

Debate on Committee Recommendation (Bradley/Carson Amendment)
Sen. Matthew Houde (D-Plainfield) is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and spoke about the committee's recommendation "Ought to Pass" 4-0.
Sen. Jeanie Forrester (R-Meredith) is the Senate sponsor of HB 648 and calls for a vote on the committee's recommendation.
Sen. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) asks Sen. Forrester a question.
Sen. Jim Rausch (R-Derry) speaks against all amendments on HB 648.
Sen. Jack Barnes (R-Raymond) asks Sen. Rausch a question.
Sen. Sylvia Larson (D-Concord) speaks to support the Committee's recommendation.
Sen. Jim Luther (R-Hollis) spoke in favor of the Committee's recommendation.

Debate on Carson Amendment
Sen. Carson asks for an amendment to clarify a provision in the Bardley/Carson Amendment.

Debate on Forrester-Bragdon Amendment
Sen. Forrester speaks to the amendment sponsored by her, Sen. Bragdon (R-Milford), Sen. Amanda Merrill (D-Durham) and Sen. Barnes.
Sen. Merrill speaks in favor of the amendment.
Sen. Houde asks Sen. Merrill a question.
Sen. Jim Forsythe (R-Strafford) spoke in favor of the amendment.
Sen. Larsen speaks in favor of the amendment.
Sen. Bradley speaks against the amendment.

Debate on Larsen Amendment
Sen. Larsen speaks to an amendment to create a study commission.

Bottom Line Analysis by Bulldog:

• RSA 371:1 would have the following added:
• The Forrester/Bragdon Amendment would prohibit the petitioning for eminent domain by private projects (like Northern Pass)
• The Bradley/Carson Amendment would spell out how eminent domain proceedings should occur and how the petitioner should act before and during such proceedings
• The Carson Amendment would clarify a provision in the Bradley/Carson Amendment
• The Larsen Amendment would create a study committee to make recommendations on eminent domain proceedings as well as study burying transmission lines along state-owned rights-of-way

If the bill goes to the governor, he can either sign it, veto it, or ignore it and will go into law without his signature.