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HR 44 · 2026 · House · Resources, Recreation and Development Committee

Protecting public lands from privatization

AI-generated

concerning the protection of public lands.

Urges support for keeping public lands in public ownership and opposes efforts to rescind the Roadless Rule.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · March 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Adopted

Analysis

This resolution urges support for keeping public ownership of public lands and opposes efforts to rescind the Roadless Rule.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Anita BurroughsDPrimeRanking Member· Commerce and Consumer Affairs
  • Rep. Allison KnabDRanking Member· Resources, Recreation, and Development
  • Rep. Carry SpierDDeputy Ranking Member· Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Also: Rep. Alicia GreggD, Rep. Jared SullivanD, Rep. Jonathan SmithR, Rep. Richard BrownR

Public testimony

102 signed in online · 14 wrote testimony

97% support2% oppose1% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Our beloved parks and reserves should never be destroyed for any kind of profit or buildings. They are the homes of countless species of animals, and it is not right to destroy their homes for corporate greed.”
— Emily Castine, Allenstownsupports
“I strongly urge you to support HR 44, which calls for keeping our extraordinary public lands under public control and opposes rescinding the designation of lands under the Roadless Rule. Let's keep NH the special place it is for both residents and visitors!…”
— John Walsh, New Londonsupports
“Libraries should be controlled by the people and not by the government--to preserve critical thinking and avoid authoritarianism.”
— Marie Nardino, Andoversupports
“I think the US Forest Service does a better job of land management than the Sierra Club would, and should continue to do it”
— Roy Schweiker, Concordopposes

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 18, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0800h16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseDivisionLay HR44 on Table (Rep. Darby)Adopted310–7
    Overall
    98% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseDivisionRemove from Table (Rep. Weber)Adopted311–23
    Overall
    93% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0800hadopted
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseVoice voteFloor amendment 2026-1078h (Rep. Darby)adopted
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0800h and 2026-1078hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 11, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development53:12–54:261m 14slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 18, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Developmentfrom 19:04located in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0800h; Executive Session
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floor8:14:21–8:18:224m 1slocated in the stream transcriptLay HR44 on Table (Rep. Darby) — adopted, division 310-7
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor6:58:37–7:03:455m 8slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0800h and 2026-1078h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0800h — adopted, voice vote; FLAM # 2026-1078h (Rep. Darby) — 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. 40
  2. Feb 11, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/11/2026 10:30 am GP 228
  3. Feb 18, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2026 10:05 am GP 228
  4. Feb 18, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0800h 02/18/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 9 P. 27
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseRemoved from Consent (Reps. Darby, Ryan, Vail, Sargent, Knab, Dupont, Harb, Baldwin, Bridle, Manos) 03/04/2026 HJ 6 P. 2
  6. Mar 5, 2026HouseLay HR44 on Table (Rep. Darby): MA DV 310-7 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 140
  7. Mar 12, 2026HouseRemove from Table (Rep. Weber): MA DV 311-23 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 98
  8. Mar 12, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0800h: AA VV 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 98
  9. Mar 12, 2026HouseFLAM # 2026-1078h (Rep. Darby): AA VV 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 99
  10. Mar 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0800h and 2026-1078h: MA VV 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 100

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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