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The bill below is aimed at reducing salt pollution:
HB 1810: Establishing a road salt fee to fund salt reduction best practices
What this bill does: HB 1810 establishes a $4-per-ton fee on bulk road salt, salt mixes, and brine sold in New Hampshire. The fee would be collected by certified bulk sellers and deposited into a new Road Salt Mitigation Fund to support grants for municipalities, businesses, and the state to implement certified winter maintenance practices, including equipment upgrades and best-practice training. The bill also requires bulk sellers to register, maintain records, and comply with enforcement provisions.
Why HB 1810 matters: Road salt runoff can contaminate groundwater and surface waters, harming lakes, rivers, and aquatic ecosystems and contributing to cyanobacterial blooms. The fee would provide a dedicated funding source (estimated at $4 million annually) to reduce salt pollution, protect drinking water, and support safer, more effective winter road maintenance. Any resulting State and municipal costs are expected to be modest and partially offset through grant funding and improved material efficiency.
Why the Committee Recommended Killing the Bill: Eleven members of the House Ways and Means Committee recommended the bill as “Inexpedient to Legislate,” citing concerns that the $4-per-ton fee would increase winter road safety costs with uncertain behavioral impact, and that education, outreach, and voluntary best-practice adoption would be more effective.
Why the Committee Minority Recommended Passing the Bill: Eight Ways and Means Committee members supported the bill because it creates a modest, sustainable road salt fee to fund certified winter maintenance practices that reduce chloride pollution harming waterways and drinking water. They viewed it as a balanced, evidence-based approach that protects public health and water quality while supporting responsible municipal operations.
How to Keep HB 1810 Alive: Follow the steps below to contact the House Representatives in your district before Thursday morning and urge them to support HB 1810 to protect lakes from salt pollution.
Step 1: Visit the NH General Court website: https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/
Step 2: On the right-hand side, under “Discover a Town or City’s Representative,” select your town from the dropdown menu or click your region on the map. A list of House Representatives for your town will appear.
Step 3: Click on each Representative’s name to view their email address and/or phone number. Do not scroll to the State Senator section—only House Representatives will be considering this bill on Thursday.
Step 4: Email or call your Representatives. (Calling can make a BIG impact!)
In your email or phone call, be sure to:
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Identify the bill you are asking them to support. Suggested subject line: OVERTURN the ITL & SUPPORT HB 1810 on 2/12
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Let them know you are a constituent in their district. Even if you don’t live there full-time, if you own property, work, or vacation in the district, your voice matters.
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Share a brief personal reason why protecting lakes and drinking water from salt pollution is important to you.
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Provide your contact information so they can follow up if they have questions or want to learn more.
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And, please cc NH LAKES President and Policy Advocate Andrea LaMoreaux (alamoreaux@nhlakes.org) on your emails.
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