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HB 1440 · 2026 · House · Resources, Recreation and Development Committee

Management plans for carbon sequestration land

AI-generated

relative to properties enrolled in carbon sequestration programs.

Requires owners of properties enrolled in carbon sequestration programs to submit management plans to the division of forest and lands and the fish and game department.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires owners of properties enrolled in carbon sequestration programs to submit management plans to the division of forest and lands and to the fish and game department.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“Any landowner enrolling property in a carbon sequestration program that involves forestland within the state shall submit a forest management plan to the division of forests and lands.”
RSA 79:38
“The forest management plan shall also include a habitat protection component developed in consultation with biologists from the New Hampshire fish and game department.”
RSA 79:38
“The division of forests and lands and the fish and game department shall jointly review and approve the submitted forest management plan.”
RSA 79:38
“The division and the department shall conduct periodic on-site inspections to ensure compliance with the approved plan.”
RSA 79:38

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mike OuelletRPrimeVice Chair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Sen. David RochefortRChair· Health and Human Services

Also: Rep. Arnold DavisR, Rep. James TierneyR, Rep. Sean DurkinR

Public testimony

24 signed in online · 6 wrote testimony

54% support46% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“If a property is obligated by a carbon sequestration contract, its current maintenance and status is subject to state monitoring.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuasupports
“The New Hampshire timber product industry should not be figuratively held at gunpoint by California or companies out of North Carolina.…”
— Simon Berrio, Daltonsupports
“Logic and critical thinking are the foundation of intelligence. Together they create the ability to make wise decisions throughout one's growth and development.”
— Carla Billingham, Salemsupports
“This bill is just wrong. There is no scientific or engineering material that I have seen that backs the need for this bill. I welcome any input to what problems this bill addresses. This bill is a major infringement of my property rights.…”
— Rolf Zuk, Monroeopposes
“Thank you for the opportunity to testify in opposition to House Bill 1440. My name is Philip Lovejoy and I am the president of the Blue Hills Foundation, Inc., a not for profit operating foundation dedicated to land conservation that holds almost 8,000 acres of land in Strafford and abutting towns.…”
— Philip Lovejoy, Straffordopposes
“Testimony Against HB1440 The proposed HB1440, which mandates carbon sequestration program participants to submit detailed management plans, poses significant challenges, particularly for small and marginalized landowners.…”
— Georgina Lambert, Belmontopposes

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
  • Jan 14, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate12–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 14, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development4:14:04–4:32:3318m 29slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — 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. 20
  2. Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 01:45 pm GP 228
  3. Jan 14, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/14/2026 01:45 pm GP 228
  4. Jan 14, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/14/2026 (Vote 12-0; CC) HC 5 P. 15
  5. Feb 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 19

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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