HB 124 (2025): enabling a municipal forest committee or conservation commission to offer surplus money to the municipality for deposit in the municipal unreserved fund balance.

HB 124 (2025)

enabling a municipal forest committee or conservation commission to offer surplus money to the municipality for deposit in the municipal unreserved fund balance.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Municipal and County Government
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: Agriculture
• Chapter law: 165

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 27, 2025, with 13 people signed in online: 3 in support, 9 in opposition and 1 as neutral. The committee met in executive session on March 10, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 18–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0861h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-0861h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 26, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 26, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 27, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 22, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-1707s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-1707s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 1, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On May 1, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On June 12, 2025 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1707s” on a voice vote, 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 165 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)
• Rep. Lori Korzen (R - Coos 7)
• Rep. David Rochefort (R - Graf 01)
• Rep. Michael Murphy (R - Coos 06)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 27, 2025, 3:30 PM: public hearing, House Municipal and County Government, LOB 301-303
• March 10, 2025, 9:30 AM: executive session, House Municipal and County Government, LOB 301-303
• March 26, 2025: floor debate, House
• April 22, 2025, 9:15 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, LOB 103
• May 1, 2025: consent calendar, Senate
• June 12, 2025: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 26, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0861h — voice vote, passed
• May 1, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1707s — voice vote, passed
• June 12, 2025, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1707s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 31:113

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 17, page 23
• SC 18
• SC 19