HB 1205 (2026): prohibiting state and county owned lands from participating in timber carbon sequestration projects.

HB 1205 (2026)

prohibiting state and county owned lands from participating in timber carbon sequestration projects.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Municipal and County Government
• Senate committee: Energy and Natural Resources
• Subject: Agriculture
• Chapter law: 51

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Municipal and County Government committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 13, 2026, with 53 people signed in online: 5 in support and 48 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on January 13, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted 13–1 to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On February 5, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on February 5, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 10, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1132s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1132s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 26, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 26, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On April 9, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1132s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Diane Pauer. The bill was enrolled on April 23, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on May 8, 2026, making it Chapter 51 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Arnold Davis (R - Coos 2) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Brian Cole (R - Hills 26)
• Rep. Sean Durkin (R - Coos 1)
• Rep. James Tierney (R - Coos 1)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 13, 2026, 11:45 AM: public hearing, House Municipal and County Government, GP 154
• January 13, 2026, 11:45 AM: executive session, House Municipal and County Government, GP 154
• February 5, 2026: consent calendar, House
• March 10, 2026, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• March 26, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• April 9, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• February 5, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• March 26, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1132s — voice vote, passed
• April 9, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1132s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 79

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 10
• HC 5, page 10
• HJ 3, page 14
• SJ 4
• SC 9
• SC 11
• SJ 7
• HJ 10, page 8
• SJ 11
• HJ 11, page 82