Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Fiscal Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House concurs with Senate on moratorium and study of forest carbon sequestration programs
Summary
The House agreed to the Senate amendment to HB 123, which establishes a moratorium on new enrollment in carbon sequestration projects on forestland during a study of fiscal and ecological effects and requires a final report by Nov. 1, 2027.
The New Hampshire House on June 5 concurred with a Senate amendment to House Bill 123, a bill that establishes a moratorium on enrollment of New Hampshire forest lands in new carbon sequestration programs while a study commission examines the programs’ effects on timber tax revenue, forest management and the logging industry.
Representative Power, speaking for concurrence, described the Senate amendment as a reasonable compromise that "establishes a study commission to address emerging concerns about the impacts of carbon sequestration programs...and places a moratorium on the enrollment and registration of New Hampshire forest land in any new carbon offset projects during the period of the study commission with a final report due no later than 11/01/2027." Representative Harrington raised concerns that the bill still "puts restrictions on land owners' rights" by prohibiting otherwise legal contracts to enroll in carbon projects.
The Senate amendment also provides an alternative option for landowners to implement a payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes under RSA 79:5 and sets a study commission reporting deadline. The clerk announced the floor result as a division vote with the House adopting the motion to concur; the announced tally was 268 in favor and 74 opposed. The transcript records that the amendment was presented as a pause to allow a comprehensive study and stakeholder review before further enrollment in offset programs.
