Senate hears from businesses about Canadian tariffs; sponsor seeks study of local economic impacts

Sen. Rebecca Perkins Quocca introduced SB 304, requesting the Department of Business and Economic Affairs report on how tariffs on Canadian goods would affect New Hampshire businesses, fuel and heating costs, housing construction and tourism.

Perkins Quocca said the state imports about $2 billion in goods from Canada annually, with fuel and heating oil the largest category. She cited business letters and testimony forecasting direct effects: Irving (a fuel supplier) warned that gas prices could rise by as much as 70¢ per gallon, and housing developers and nonprofit affordable housing groups warned that tariffs on lumber, construction materials and heating fuel could raise project costs and operating budgets.

Witnesses described concrete impacts. James Jalbert, owner of C & J Bus Lines, said 80% of the motor coaches used by the industry are manufactured in Canada and that recent tariffs could add roughly $161,750 per coach in duties; he said an exemption window and uncertain guidance left companies unable to plan. Ted Benson of Bensonwood and Unity Homes said his firms rely on an engineered wood product from a long-term Canadian supplier that has no domestic equivalent; he described prebuying an entire year's supply to avoid price shocks and called tariffs an obstacle to addressing a housing shortage.

Supporters urged a neutral, statewide analysis that would quantify direct and indirect cost increases, jobs affected, and effects on tourism. Critics argued the Bureau of Economic Affairs and existing trade councils already examine cross-border trade and that the bill could lead to a costly state study with limited value. Committee members also noted the absence of a fiscal note.

At executive session senators voted to recommend ITL (inexpedient to legislate). Supporters said the testimony showed local economic consequences and urged the Legislature to consider targeted exemptions or federal advocacy; opponents said the issue remained primarily a federal trade policy matter and BEA should be engaged to assess impacts.

What’s next: The committee recommended ITL; supporters may continue advocacy through the state’s trade council, direct outreach to federal representatives, and by asking state agencies for data outside of statute.