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HB 1397 · 2026 · House · Resources, Recreation and Development Committee

Notice to abutters before tree cutting

AI-generated

relative to the notice to abutters for the intent to cut.

Defines abutter for property taxation purposes and requires municipal officials to notify abutters by verified mail before a cutting operation that may affect their property.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill adds a definition for abutter to the chapter relative to property taxation and requires municipal officials to send notice to abutters by verified mail where a cutting operation may impact abutters' property.

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

“Abutters shall be afforded a 30-day comment period prior to sign off by the assessing officials.”
Section 2

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jonah WheelerDPrime
  • Rep. Dale GirardRVice Chair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
  • Rep. Jim MaggioreDDeputy Ranking Member· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Diane PauerRChair· Municipal and County Government

Also: Rep. Dylan GermanaD, Rep. Henry GiassonR, Sen. Donovan FentonD

Public testimony

8 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

50% support50% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“If abutters had been notified of an Intent to Cut, a conservation subdivision application submitted to the North Hampton Planning Board would likely have been approved in far less than the 14 months it ultimately required.…”
— Jim Maggiore, North Hamptonsupports
“As the cost is to be born by the property owner/applicant, this is nothing more than a tax on those who are trying to properly manage their forested property.…”
— Simon Berrio, Daltonopposes
“Please see attached letter. Thank you, Ann Davis, forest landowner Wilmot and Springfield”
— Ann Davis, Wilmotopposes

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 28, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development3:22:03–3:26:013m 58slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 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. 18
  2. Jan 28, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/28/2026 01:00 pm GP 228
  3. Jan 28, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/28/2026 01:00 pm GP 228
  4. Jan 28, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/28/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 7 P. 20
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 31

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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