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HB 1205 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Ban on state timber carbon projects

AI-generated

(New Title) prohibiting state and county owned lands from participating in timber carbon sequestration projects.

Prohibits the enrollment of state and county owned lands in timber carbon sequestration projects.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits the enrollment of state and county owned lands in timber carbon sequestration 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

“No fee simple ownership lands owned by the state or by a county shall be enrolled in a timber carbon sequestration program. 51:2 Effective Date.”
RSA 79:38

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

53 signed in online · 8 wrote testimony

9% support91% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Horror stories about about carbon sequestration lands being subject to no timber harvest for sequestration (ie no jobs) and/or subject to livable jobs and healthy forest.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuasupports
“Please oppose this bill. Carbon sequestration helps manage the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. This is a benefit to NH and to the whole globe! There is no valid reason to ban carbon sequestration on state and county owned lands.”
— Terry Ellen Carter, Doveropposes
“THIS RESTRICTION DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE FOR THE STATE WITH THE SECOND HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF FORESTED LAND IN OUR COUNTRY. THE SCIENCE OF CARBON SEQUESTRATION EFFECTIVENESS AND VALUE IS SOLID”
— Lois Cote, Manchesteropposes
“I oppose this bill because it prohibits carbon sequestration on county and city lands. Although carbon sequestration may not be appropriate on all such lands, it is up to the community to evaluate the benefits, suitability, and safety of carbon sequestration on their lands.…”
— Joanna Andros, Walpoleopposes

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

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government5:38:37–5:44:275m 50slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 10, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources2:04:15–2:06:242m 9slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 26, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1132s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1132s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1132s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:04:46–1:06:131m 27slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1132s (Rep. Pauer) — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled 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 Municipal and County Government HJ 1 P. 10
  2. Jan 13, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/13/2026 11:45 am GP 154
  3. Jan 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/13/2026 11:45 am GP 154
  4. Jan 13, 2026House: Ought to Pass 01/13/2026 (Vote 13-1; CC) HC 5 P. 10
  5. Feb 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 14
  6. Feb 5, 2026SenIntroduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 4
  7. Mar 10, 2026SenHearing: 03/10/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:30 am; SC 9
  8. Mar 26, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1132s, 03/26/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
  9. Mar 26, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1132s, AA, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  10. Mar 26, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1132s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  11. Apr 9, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1132s (Rep. Pauer): MA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 8
  12. Apr 23, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 04/23/2026); SJ 11
  13. Apr 23, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 82
  14. May 8, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/08/2026; Chapter 51; eff. 07/07/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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