SB 503 (2026): relative to the use of spruce-pine-fir lumber.

SB 503 (2026)

relative to the use of spruce-pine-fir lumber.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Resources, Recreation and Development
• Senate committee: Commerce
• Subject: State Government
• Chapter law: 77

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Commerce committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 27, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0513s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0513s) was adopted on a voice vote on February 19, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On February 19, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on February 19, 2026 and was referred to the House Resources, Recreation and Development committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 25, 2026, with 6 people signed in online: 5 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 25, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 15–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On April 9, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on May 7, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2026-1668e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on May 18, 2026, making it Chapter 77 of the session laws. It takes effect November 14, 2026.

Sponsors

• Sen. David Rochefort (R - SD1) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Daryl Abbas (R - SD22)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Sen. Sharon Carson (R - SD14)
• Rep. Arnold Davis (R - Coos 2)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Sen. James Gray (R - SD6)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Sen. Mark McConkey (R - SD3)
• Sen. Tim McGough (R - SD11)
• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16)
• Rep. Mike Ouellet (R - Coos 3)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Sen. Tara Reardon (D - SD15)
• Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R - SD18)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 27, 2026, 10:45 AM: hearing, Senate Commerce, SH 100
• February 19, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 25, 2026, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Resources, Recreation and Development, GP 228
• March 25, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Resources, Recreation and Development, GP 228
• April 9, 2026: consent calendar, House

Votes

• February 19, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0513s — voice vote, passed
• April 9, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 155-A

Related Bills

• HB 1204 (2026): relative to the grading and use of timber grown in New Hampshire.
• HB 1204 (2026): relative to the grading and use of timber grown in New Hampshire.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 1
• SC 6
• SJ 4
• HJ 5, page 124
• HJ 10
• HJ 11, page 82
• SJ 11
• SJ 12
• HJ 12, page 39
• House Calendar 14, 2026, committee report