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HB 1204 · 2026 · House · Resources, Recreation and Development Committee

Grading and use of NH timber

AI-generated

relative to the grading and use of timber grown in New Hampshire.

Allows certain timber grown in New Hampshire to be graded as spruce-pine-fir and requires consideration of New Hampshire harvested timber for state building projects.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · April 22, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill allows certain timber grown in New Hampshire to be graded as spruce-pine-fir and requires the consideration of New Hampshire harvested timber for state building projects.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“For purposes of the state building code, spruce-pine-fir south (SPFS) lumber harvested and milled in New Hampshire and graded either by a grader permitted under RSA 426:18 or by an American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC) accredited agency shall be accepted wherever spruce-pine-fir (SPF) is specified.”
RSA 155-A:15
“Structural design and inspection shall use the published SPFS design values for the grade and size provided.”
RSA 155-A:15
“Where a code evaluation report, product listing, or manufacturer's installation instructions differentiate allowable loads or limitations by lumber species group, the allowable loads corresponding to the installed species group shall be used.”
RSA 155-A:15
“This requirement shall apply, but not be limited to, structural connectors, hangers, fasteners, truss plates, adhesives, and proprietary systems.”
RSA 155-A:15

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Arnold DavisRPrime
  • Rep. Brian ColeRVice Chair· Housing

Also: Rep. James TierneyR, Rep. Sean DurkinR

Public testimony

4 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

0% support100% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“In order for softwood timber harvested at or above 44 degrees North latitude to be eligible for classification and grading as spruce-pine-fir (SPF), the interested parties would need to approach the American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC) Board of Review (BOR) to discuss options for doing so.…”
— David Conner, Peachtree Cityopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 11, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0471h16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0471hadopted
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0471hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Mar 26, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 26, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Mar 26, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development5:18:07–5:19:371m 30slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 11, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development3:52:57–3:54:051m 8slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0471h; Executive Session
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0471h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0471h — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 18, 2026Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration21:36–22:421m 6slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 26, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 1 P. 10
  2. Feb 4, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2026 02:30 pm GP 228
  3. Feb 11, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/11/2026 01:30 pm GP 228
  4. Feb 11, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0471h 02/11/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 9 P. 26
  5. Mar 5, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0471h: AA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 33
  6. Mar 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0471h: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 33
  7. Mar 5, 2026SenIntroduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 6
  8. Mar 18, 2026SenHearing: 03/18/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:20 am; SC 10
  9. Mar 26, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/26/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 11
  10. Mar 26, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  11. Mar 26, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 03/26/2026); SJ 8
  12. Mar 26, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 56
  13. Apr 22, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 04/22/2026; Chapter 32; eff. 10/19/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.