HB 1530-FN
requiring notification of abutters and public review prior to disturbing beaver dams in non-emergency situations.
Official record at gencourt.state.nh.us ↗Open this bill in the searchable view → · Follow this bill by RSS
On the record
Quoted from the General Court bill status page, not worked out from the docket.
| Status | HOUSE |
|---|---|
| In the House | INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE |
| Introduced | 1/7/2026 |
| Floor date | 2/12/2026 |
| LSR number | 2740 |
| Local government impact | no |
| Committee code | H22 |
Where it stands
House: INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE
Every floor vote on this bill was a voice or division vote, so there is no record of how individual legislators voted.
Sponsors
Colby, Eleana(D) Merr 9, Darby, Will(D) Hills 11, Harvey, Cathryn(D) Ches 6, Knab, Allison(D) Rock 12, Stavis, Laurel(D) Graf 13, Thomas, Wendy(D) Hills 12
Prime sponsor in bold. From the General Court sponsor file.
What happened
Every action recorded in the official docket, in order. Each line ends with the journal or calendar that recorded it; where we have the document, that citation links to it.
- January 7, 2026Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development
- January 14, 2026Public Hearing: 01/14/2026 03:15 pm GP 228
- January 28, 2026Executive Session: 01/28/2026 10:00 am GP 228
- February 3, 2026Majority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/28/2026 (Vote 9-7; RC)
- February 3, 2026Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0172h
- February 12, 2026Inexpedient to Legislate: MA DV 189-156 02/12/2026
Votes
Roll call tallies and individual votes from the General Court roll call files. Presiding, excused and absent are shown separately: one member presides over each House roll call and does not vote except to break a tie.
Inexpedient to Legislate
Decided on a division vote. Only the outcome was recorded — there is no count of how any member voted.
Committee reports
Reproduced from the House Calendar in the committee’s own words.
Majority — INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE
This bill, which mandates a 30-day notification period and public review before addressing beaver dams in non-emergency situations, poses a serious threat to the efficiency and reliability of our state’s critical road infrastructure, especially for the logging industry. Our loggers depend on timely access to well-maintained roads to transport timber and keep our rural economy thriving. Imposing a month-long delay before removing beaver dams or lowering water levels would force logging operations to halt or shift to less optimal work sites. This not only increases operational costs and disrupts schedules but also risks leaving essential roadways impassable, jeopardizing both commerce and public safety. Beavers do not follow our calendars; they can cause flooding and road damage at any time. The flexibility to respond quickly is essential. Current regulations already ensure responsible management and oversight. Adding more red tape through this bill is unnecessary and counterproductive. Our logging industry, rural communities, and the integrity of our roadways were all considered in voting on this bill. Vote 9-7.
Minority — OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT
This bill was drafted in response to issues across the state with property owners partially or completely removing beaver impoundments, or installing flow devices, and not notifying abutters who are substantially impacted by these changes. The legislation would require notification and a public meeting before removal, thereby allowing landowners, adjacent property owners, and municipalities an opportunity to understand and discuss the impacts. This bill respects the rights of all property owners and recognizes potential impacts on home values and homesteading activities. It would also reduce the calls and time spent by the NH Fish and Game Department on issues related to beaver impoundments. The minority amendment would address concerns raised in the hearing by avoiding extra costs to the NH Fish and Game Department, clarifying the definition of abutter, removing concerns about cleaning culverts, and eliminating the public meeting requirement when all neighbors agree on the work being proposed. It would also exempt land managed by the State of New Hampshire.
Hearings and recordings
Recordings are the General Court’s own, on YouTube. Start times are estimates unless stated otherwise, and the player opens early.
- January 14, 2026 at 15:15Resources, Recreation and Development public hearing recording 5:45:14–6:29:06, about 44 min (estimated)
- January 28, 2026 at 10:00Resources, Recreation and Development executive session recording (start time not identified)
- February 12, 2026House floor debate recording (start time not identified)
Page generated 2026-09-03 from data published by the New Hampshire General Court. Granite Record is an independent project, not affiliated with the General Court. The official record always takes precedence. Corrections: [email protected]