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HB 1440-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2672
08/06
HOUSE BILL
1440-FN
AN ACT
relative to properties enrolled in carbon sequestration programs.
SPONSORS: Rep. Ouellet, Coos 3; Rep. A. Davis, Coos 2; Rep. Tierney, Coos 1; Rep. Durkin, Coos 1; Sen. Rochefort, Dist 1
COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development
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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.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in
bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [
in brackets and struckthrough.
]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2672
08/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT
relative to properties enrolled in carbon sequestration programs.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Forest Carbon Sequestration Management. Amend RSA 79 by inserting after section 37 the following new section:
79:38 Forest Carbon Sequestration Management.
I. 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. The plan shall demonstrate adherence to best forestry practices.
II. The forest management plan shall also include a habitat protection component developed in consultation with biologists from the New Hampshire fish and game department. This component shall identify and address potential impacts to fish and wildlife habitat.
III. The division of forests and lands and the fish and game department shall jointly review and approve the submitted forest management plan. Approval shall be contingent upon a determination that the plan:
(a) Complies with best forestry practices as defined by the division; and
(b) Adequately protects fish and wildlife habitat.
IV. The division and the department shall conduct periodic on-site inspections to ensure compliance with the approved plan. If a landowner is found to be in material noncompliance, the division may suspend or revoke approval of the plan.
V. The commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources, in consultation with the executive director of fish and game, may adopt rules under RSA 541-A to implement the provisions of this section, including but not limited to:
(a) Standards for forest management and habitat protection plans;
(b) Procedures for plan submission, review, and approval;
(c) Inspection protocols and enforcement mechanisms.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
LBA
26-2672
11/24/25
HB 1440-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT
relative to properties enrolled in carbon sequestration programs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
Estimated State Impact
FY 2026
FY 2027
FY 2028
FY 2029
Revenue
$0
$0
$0
$0
Revenue Fund(s)
None
Expenditures*
$0
DNCR Impact
$141K in FY 27, $100K in FY 28, and $101K in FY 29
F&G Impact
$10K-$100K Per Year
Funding Source(s)
General Fund and Fish and Game Fund
Appropriations*
$0
$0
$0
$0
Funding Source(s)
None
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill
METHODOLOGY:
This bill requires landowners who enroll in a carbon sequestration program to submit a forest management plan to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Division of Forest and Lands (Division). The plan must adhere to best forestry practices and include a habitat protection component developed in consultation with a Fish and Game biologist, which identifies and addresses potential impacts to fish and wildlife. It requires the Division and the Fish and Game Department to jointly review and approve submitted plans. It also requires both to conduct periodic on-site inspections to ensure compliance with an approved plan. Current data indicates that there are over 15 landowners enrolled in such programs totaling approximately 183,000 acres statewide.
Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Impact
The Department states administering this law would require one full-time, licensed New Hampshire Forester (SOC11-01, Step 6, Forester I). Total salary, benefit, and equipment costs, is estimated to be $141,000 in FY 2027, $100,000 in FY 2028, and $101,000 in FY 2029.
Fish and Game Department Impact
The Department states it unlikely it would be able to conduct this work given current staffing and funding levels and would need to hire an additional staff member to conduct this work, particularly if landowner participation in carbon sequestration programs increases over time. The Department has provided no position data, but believes the estimated cost would be between $10,000 and $100,000 per year.
The Department of Revenue Administration has identified no impacts relative to this bill.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Fish and Game Department, and Department of Revenue Administration