New Hampshire HB 1752: requiring the creation of a ticket to follow timber through the harvesting and production process to establish a chain of custody.

Bill Text

HB 1752-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-2953

 08/07

HOUSE BILL 1752-FN

AN ACT requiring the creation of a ticket to follow timber through the harvesting and production process to establish a chain of custody.

SPONSORS: Rep. H. Howard, Straf. 4; Rep. Bixby, Straf. 13; Rep. Nagel, Belk. 6

COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development

─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

ANALYSIS

 This bill requires the creation of a ticket to follow timber through the harvesting and production process to establish a chain of custody.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

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 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-2953

 08/07

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT requiring the creation of a ticket to follow timber through the harvesting and production process to establish a chain of custody.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 New Subdivision; Timber Harvesting; Foresting Mill Ticket Standards. Amend RSA 227-J by inserting after section 15 the following new subdivision: 

Foresting Mill Ticket Standards

 227-J:16 Definitions. 

 In this subdivision: 

 I. “Change of land use” means conversion of forest land following timber harvesting to a non-forest use, including but not limited to agriculture, residential development, or gravel extraction. 

 II. “Designated agent” means a person or company authorized by the landowner to act on the landowner’s behalf for timber harvesting activities. 

 III. “Director” means the director of the division of forests and lands. 

 IV. “Forest products” means logs, pulpwood, veneer, boltwood, chips, poles, biomass, or fuelwood, but not Christmas trees, maple syrup, nursery products, wreaths, boughs, or cones. 

 V. “Harvester” means a person or company that cuts or contracts to cut forest products. 

 VI. “Licensed forester” means a forester licensed under RSA 310-A. 

 VII. “Lot” means a contiguous tract of forest land under single ownership. 

 VIII. “Notice of intent to cut” means the notification required under RSA 79:10. 

 IX. “Timber harvesting” means the cutting or removing of timber primarily for sale or processing into forest products. 

 X. “Landing” or “yard” means the area where forest products are assembled for storage and transport. 

 227-J:17 Notification Required. 

 I. Prior to any timber harvest for commercial purposes, the landowner or designated agent shall file a notice of intent to cut under RSA 79:10 with the municipality, and provide a copy to the division of forests and lands. 

 II. All parties named on the notice, including the landowner, agent, forester, and harvester, shall sign the notification. 

 227-J:18 Large Clearcut Review. 

 I. Any proposed timber harvest exceeding 75 contiguous acres of clearcut shall require the submission of a harvest plan prepared by a licensed forester. 

 II. The plan shall ensure compliance with regeneration and erosion control standards under this chapter. 

 III. The division of forests and lands may require a field review prior to approval. 

 227-J:19 Erosion Control Certification. 

 Persons certified in erosion and sedimentation control by the department of environmental services may file simplified notifications for harvests of 10 acres or less, provided they are directly responsible for erosion control on the site. 

 227-J:20 Timber Harvesting in Protected Areas. 

 I. Timber harvesting or associated road or gravel pit construction in wetlands, shoreland protection zones, or other environmentally sensitive areas shall require additional permits under RSA 482-A and RSA 483-B. 

 II. The division of forests and lands shall coordinate with the department of environmental services to ensure compliance. 

 227-J:21 In-Stream Wood Placement. 

 I. Projects to place wood in streams for habitat enhancement shall be approved by the division of forests and lands in consultation with the fish and game department. 

 II. A treatment plan and site map shall be submitted with the notice of intent to cut. 

 227-J:22 Exemptions. 

 The following activities are exempt from the notification requirements of this subdivision, even if forest products are sold: 

 I. Removal of single trees or small groups of trees in residential or roadside settings for hazard removal, right-of-way clearance, or lot preparation of less than 2 acres. 

 II. Timber harvested solely for the personal use of the landowner. 

 227-J:23 Posting Requirement. 

 I. A copy of the approved