CHAPTER 53
HB 1005 - FINAL VERSION
16Feb2022... 0445h
2022 SESSION
22-2282
12/11
HOUSE BILL 1005
AN ACT relative to the creation of a New Hampshire low-grade timber and wood emerging market commission.
SPONSORS: Rep. Thomas, Rock. 5; Rep. Merner, Coos 7; Rep. Harley, Rock. 20; Rep. Abrami, Rock. 19; Rep. Vose, Rock. 9; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3
COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ANALYSIS
This bill establishes the New Hampshire low-grade timber and wood emerging market commission to study the state of the existing low-grade timber and market economy and new and emerging markets for low-grade timber and wood products.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
16Feb2022... 0445h 22-2282
12/11
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Two
AN ACT relative to the creation of a New Hampshire low-grade timber and wood emerging market commission.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
53:1 Legislative Findings and Purpose. Forest product markets in New Hampshire and the surrounding region have experienced an acute downturn, particularly for low-grade wood resources such as biomass and pulpwood for paper manufacturing. Since 1999, the northeast has lost 11 of 17 pulp mills. Since 2014, roughly 6.5 million tons of market for low-grade wood has been lost annually through plant closures. Over 2 million tons of this loss has occurred since 2019. The loss of low-grade markets is also severely stressing the sawmill sector because residue from these mills created when a round log is turned into square products must have a market in order for the mill to be successful. In recent months the closure of biomass electric generation plants in New Hampshire has further stressed the forest products industry. The COVID-19 pandemic has further stressed the forest products market infrastructure in the region. In order to ensure the health of the forest products industry and a timberland owner's ability to cost effectively perform sustainable forestry, a commission of public officials, industry representatives, and critical economic development personnel should convene to explore new and emerging markets for biomass and low-grade timber and wood resources. This review should look especially at all opportunities to utilize the state’s low-grade wood resource, including biofuels, renewable chemicals, and what existing infrastructure can come to bear on these opportunities. In addition, the commission should explore what regulatory and other supports can be deployed by the state government to assist in realizing these opportunities.
53:2 New Section; New Hampshire Low-Grade Timber and Wood Emerging Market Commission. Amend RSA 227-I by inserting after section 10 the following new section:
227-I:11 New Hampshire Low-Grade Timber and Wood Emerging Market Commission.
I. There is established a commission to study the state of the existing low-grade timber and market economy and new and emerging markets for low-grade timber and wood products.
II. The members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Three members of the house of representatives, at least one of whom shall be from the minority party, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(c) The commissioner of the department of business and economic affairs, or designee.
(d) The commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources, or designee.
(e) The commissioner of the department of energy, or designee.
(f) The New Hampshire state forester.
(g) The forest industry specialist from the university of New Hampshire.
(h) Two members representing the hardwood and softwood sawmill operators in New Hampshire, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(i) One professional forester actively practicing forestry and licensed in New Hampshire, appointed by the Granite State Division of the New England Society of American Foresters.
(j) Two small business operators, one of which shall operate a New Hampshire timber harvesting business and the other shall operate an operating biomass power plant, appointed by the president of the senate.
(k) One timberland owner, appointed by the governor from 3 owners nominated by the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association.
(l) One member representing the biotechnology sector, appointed by the governor.
III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
IV. The commission shall:
(a) Research and review existing data about the state of the New Hampshire forest products industry, particularly the low-grade timber market and the state of the forest resource, and the prospects for the future of both.
(b) Review all current New Hampshire law and regulations related to the New Hampshire forest products industry, particularly the low-grade markets sector, to determine if these laws and regulations are impediments to encouraging low-grade forest products markets or could be changed to benefit the goal of creating new or expanding low-grade forest products markets.
(c) Review the status of the work of the department of business and economic affairs and the department of natural and cultural resources relative to assisting in developing new low-grade forest products markets and enhancing existing markets.
(d) Research and report on the status of the existing low-grade forest products facilities markets in New Hampshire, particularly the biomass power plants.
(e) Research and become informed about other efforts in New Hampshire and the northeast region to encourage low-grade forest products markets.
(f) Examine new and emerging markets for low-grade wood in New Hampshire including, but not limited to opportunities, market challenges, and regulatory needs to produce biofuels, renewable chemicals, and other products derived by low-grade timber and wood materials.
(g) Examine emerging federal government and foundation supports for these emerging markets.
V. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
VI. The commission shall issue a final report to the chair of house resources, recreation and development committee, the chair of the senate energy and natural resources committee, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before December 1, 2023.
53:3 Repeal. RSA 227-I:11, relative to New Hampshire low-grade timber and wood emerging market commission, is repealed.
I. Section 3 of this act shall take effect December 1, 2023.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved: May 20, 2022
Effective Date:
I. Section 3 effective December 1, 2023
II. Remainder effective May 20, 2022
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 19, 2022 | House | Hearing |
| Jan. 19, 2022 | House | Hearing |
| Feb. 2, 2022 | House | Exec Session |
| House | Floor Vote | |
| April 7, 2022 | Senate | Hearing |
| April 14, 2022 | Senate | Floor Vote |
May 24, 2022: Signed by Governor Sununu 05/20/2022; Chapter 53; Eff. I. Sec 3 eff 12/1/23 II.Remainder eff 5/20/22
May 13, 2022: Enrolled (in recess of) 05/12/2022
May 13, 2022: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/12/2022); SJ 13
April 14, 2022: Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/14/2022; SJ 8
April 7, 2022: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/14/2022; SC 15
March 31, 2022: Hearing: 04/07/2022, Room 103, SH, 10:00 am; SC 14
March 1, 2022: Introduced 02/24/2022 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 5
Feb. 23, 2022: Amendment # 2022-0445h: AA VV 02/16/2022 HJ 3
Feb. 16, 2022: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2022-0445h: MA VV 02/16/2022 HJ 3
Feb. 8, 2022: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2022-0445h (Vote 21-0; CC)
Feb. 2, 2022: Executive Session: 02/02/2022 10:00 a.m. LOB305-307
Jan. 12, 2022: Public Hearing: 01/19/2022 09:00 am LOB 305-307
Jan. 19, 2022: Public Hearing: 01/19/2022 9:00 a.m. LOB305-307
Oct. 29, 2021: Introduced 01/05/2022 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development
: To Be Introduced and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development