HB 123 (2025): defining pre-sequestration timber tax revenue, establishing a moratorium on carbon sequestration and establishing a commission to study the effects of carbon sequestration in New Hampshire forests upon state and local tax revenue, effective forest management, and the health of New Hampshire’s logging industry.

HB 123 (2025)

defining pre-sequestration timber tax revenue, establishing a moratorium on carbon sequestration and establishing a commission to study the effects of carbon sequestration in New Hampshire forests upon state and local tax revenue, effective forest management, and the health of New Hampshire’s logging industry.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Municipal and County Government
• Senate committee: Energy and Natural Resources
• Subject: Agriculture
• Chapter law: 164

The Story

It was introduced on January 8, 2025 and referred to the House Municipal and County Government committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 10, 2025, with 24 people signed in online: 6 in support and 18 in opposition. The committee held a public hearing on February 18, 2025 on a proposed non-germane amendment (2025-0153h), with 20 people signed in online: 2 in support and 18 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 3, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 18–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0654h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 13, 2025 the House failed “Lay HB123 on Table” on a division vote 171–185, on a motion by Rep. Jason Osborne. The committee's amendment (2025-0654h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 13, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 13, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 197–158. On March 13, 2025 the bill was referred to the Ways and Means committee, whose chair waived the referral under House Rule 47(f). It crossed to the Senate on March 20, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. The committee held a public hearing on May 6, 2025. The committee voted 4–1 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-2133s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-2133s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 15, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On May 15, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On May 15, 2025 the bill was referred to the Ways and Means committee. The committee voted unanimously, 3–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On May 22, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On June 12, 2025 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2133s” on a division vote 268–74, on a motion by Rep. Diane Pauer. The bill was enrolled on June 26, 2025 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 15, 2025, making it Chapter 164 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Arnold Davis (R - Coos 2) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Mike Ouellet (R - Coos 3)
• Rep. Sean Durkin (R - Coos 1)
• Rep. Brian Cole (R - Hills 26)
• Rep. James Tierney (R - Coos 1)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Rep. David Rochefort (R - Graf 01)
• Rep. Michael Murphy (R - Coos 06)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 10, 2025, 1:00 PM: public hearing, House Municipal and County Government, LOB 301-303
• March 3, 2025, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Municipal and County Government, LOB 301-303
• March 13, 2025: floor debate, House
• May 6, 2025, 9:00 AM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• May 15, 2025: floor debate, Senate
• May 21, 2025, 9:00 AM: hearing, Senate Ways and Means, SH 100
• May 22, 2025: consent calendar, Senate
• June 12, 2025: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 13, 2025, House: Lay HB123 on Table — yeas 171, nays 185, failed
• March 13, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 197, nays 158, passed
• May 15, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-2133s — voice vote, passed
• May 22, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• June 12, 2025, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2133s — yeas 268, nays 74, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 79:1
• RSA 79
• RSA 79:5
• RSA 79:32

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 20
• SC 21A
• SC 22
• SC 22A
• House Calendar 15, 2025, committee report
• This page’s data as JSON