New Hampshire House Bill HB1709

New Hampshire 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/19/23
• Refer: 12/19/23
• Report Pass: 2/15/24
• Refer: 2/22/24
• Report Pass: 3/15/24
• Engrossed: 3/26/24
• Refer: 3/26/24
• Report DNP: 4/24/24

Caption

Establishing the forest carbon commission.

Impact

The establishment of the Forest Carbon Commission is expected to have far-reaching consequences on how forest management and carbon programs are implemented in New Hampshire. By focusing on the economic aspects, such as potential shifts in local tax revenue due to changes in land usage for carbon offset programs, this bill aims to safeguard both environmental interests and economic stability in communities reliant on forestry. The commission is also tasked with addressing broader impacts including conservation efforts and the preservation of undeveloped land.

Summary

House Bill 1709 aims to establish a Forest Carbon Commission tasked with studying the implications of forest carbon programs on local tax revenue and the legacy timber industry in New Hampshire. The commission is composed of various representatives, including members from the House of Representatives, Senate, and relevant state departments. Its responsibilities include evaluating how forest carbon agreements affect local economies, exploring alternative revenue sources for towns, and investigating the impacts on the forest products sector due to altered forest management practices linked with carbon credit programs.

Contention

The creation of the commission could generate contention over the balance between environmental conservation efforts and the economic needs of the local timber industry. While proponents argue that the commission's establishment will lead to informed decision-making regarding carbon programs, critics may express concerns regarding the potential bureaucratic complexity that could arise from adopting new carbon credit systems. Additionally, the implications for local governance, specifically how towns might manage or adapt to changes in revenue based on forest carbon agreements, could be points of debate among stakeholders.