Rep. James Tierney

Maddy summaryHB 1205 prohibits all state and county-owned lands in New Hampshire from enrolling in carbon sequestration projects, which are programs that capture and store carbon dioxide to reduce atmospheric emissions. This bill directly affects state and county governments, preventing them from participating in such initiatives on public lands they manage. The key provision adds a new section to state law (RSA 79:38) explicitly banning enrollment in carbon sequestration programs for public lands. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1204 allows New Hampshire-harvested softwood timber (above 44°N latitude) to be classified as spruce-pine-fir (SPF) if it meets national structural and visual grading standards. It requires state-funded building projects in New Hampshire to prioritize lumber harvested within the state, unless design needs require imported materials. The bill directly affects New Hampshire timber growers by expanding eligibility for SPF grading and state construction projects by changing procurement rules. These provisions become effective 60 days after the bill's passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1327 updates the legal definitions of "commercially-zoned land" and "mixed-use" in New Hampshire law. It clarifies that commercially-zoned land refers to areas where commercial use is permitted under local zoning rules, and defines mixed-use development as projects combining residential or other uses within a single building or area approved by a local planning board. These changes directly affect developers seeking approval for projects that blend residential and commercial spaces, requiring planning board review for such developments. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1567 changes how telecommunications companies pay taxes for using public roads. It requires the tax value of telecom poles and conduits in public rights-of-way to include the average land value per acre adjacent to roads multiplied by the total length of specific road classes (I, II, IV, and V). This new calculation replaces the previous method and must be applied to all affected telecom infrastructure. The bill directly affects telecom providers (including VoIP and mobile services) that install equipment on public roads.

Maddy summaryHB 1440 requires landowners enrolling forestland in carbon sequestration programs to submit forest management plans to the Division of Forests and Lands. These plans must follow best forestry practices and include a habitat protection component developed with Fish and Game biologists to address impacts on wildlife. The Division and Fish and Game jointly review and approve plans, with periodic on-site inspections to ensure compliance. Noncompliance could lead to plan suspension or revocation. The bill affects current forestland owners in carbon sequestration programs, totaling approximately 183,000 acres statewide.

Maddy summaryHB 561 would establish a standardized process for transferring state-owned land or buildings to municipalities. It directly affects local governments seeking to acquire state property and the state as the property owner. The bill's key provision creates clear procedures for municipalities to request transfers and for the state to review and approve them. This would replace ad-hoc transfers with a formal, transparent system. The bill is currently referred to committee for further study and has not advanced to a vote.

Maddy summaryHB 127 extends the closing date for off-highway vehicle (OHRV) trails on the Connecticut Lakes headwaters working forest property. The bill changes the specific date when these trails must close each year, directly affecting OHRV users and operators on that property. It does not create new rules or restrictions but simply adjusts the existing seasonal closure deadline. The bill was signed into law by Governor Ayotte on July 31, 2025, effective immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 123 establishes a temporary moratorium on new carbon sequestration projects in New Hampshire forests and creates a commission to study how carbon sequestration affects state/local tax revenue, forest management, and the logging industry. The bill also grants the Pasquaney School District an exception to standard tax assessment rules, allowing member towns to adjust tax rates for the 2025 partial payment to align with the district’s budget needs. The commission will examine impacts on timber tax revenue (defined as revenue before carbon sequestration projects began), forest health, and the logging industry’s economic health. These provisions directly affect New Hampshire’s forestry sector, local tax calculations for the Pasquaney School District, and state policy regarding carbon sequestration.

Maddy summaryHB 124 allows municipal forest committees or conservation commissions to transfer any surplus funds they hold directly to the municipality's general unreserved fund balance. This affects local committees managing forest or conservation funds and the municipalities receiving those funds. The key provision removes barriers to moving leftover money from these specialized committees into the main municipal account, streamlining fund management. The bill became law on July 15, 2025, and takes effect September 13, 2025.