Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

SB 503 · 2026 · Senate · Commerce Committee

Recognizing spruce-pine-fir lumber standard

AI-generated

relative to the use of spruce-pine-fir lumber.

Specifies that spruce-pine-fir lumber includes spruce-pine-fir-south lumber under the New Hampshire building code, promoting use of New Hampshire-grown lumber.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill promotes the use of New Hampshire-grown spruce-pine-fir lumber by specifying that spruce-pine-fir (SPF) lumber shall include spruce-pine-fir-south (SPFS) lumber within the New Hampshire building code.

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

Sen. David RochefortRPrimeChair· Health and Human Services
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
  • Sen. James GrayRChair· Election Law and Municipal Affairs
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce
  • Sen. Mark McConkeyRChair· Capital Budget
  • Sen. Ruth WardRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Sharon CarsonRPresident of the Senate
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Sen. Daryl AbbasRPresident Pro Tempore
  • Rep. Mike OuelletRVice Chair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources

Also: Sen. Tim McGoughR, Sen. David WattersD, Sen. Tara ReardonD, Rep. Arnold DavisR

Public testimony

6 signed in online

83% support17% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 19, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0513s5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-0513sadopted
  • Feb 19, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0513sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Mar 25, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 9, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 23, 2026HouseVoice voteEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-1668eadopted
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingSenate Commerce3:06:18–3:09:453m 27slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0513s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0513s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0513s — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development1:12:25–1:16:594m 34slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-1668e Adopted — voice vote
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-1668e — adopted, voice vote
  • May 7, 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, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 1
  2. Jan 27, 2026SenHearing: 01/27/2026, Room 100, SH, 10:45 am; SC 1
  3. Feb 19, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0513s, 02/19/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 6
  4. Feb 19, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0513s, AA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  5. Feb 19, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0513s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 5 P. 124
  7. Mar 25, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/25/2026 10:00 am GP 228
  8. Mar 25, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/25/2026 10:00 am GP 228
  9. Mar 25, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 03/25/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC)
  10. Apr 9, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10
  11. Apr 23, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-1668e: AA VV (in recess of) 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 82
  12. Apr 23, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-1668e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 04/23/2026); SJ 11
  13. May 7, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 39
  14. May 7, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12
  15. May 18, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 05/18/2026; Chapter 77; Effective 11/14/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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