SB 529-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2134
07/08
SENATE BILL 529-FN
AN ACT giving preference to lumber sourced in the United States on all state-funded building projects.
SPONSORS: Sen. Rochefort, Dist 1; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Rep. A. Davis, Coos 2; Rep. Ouellet, Coos 3
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires that a preference to lumber sourced in the United States be given on all state-funded building projects.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2134
07/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT giving preference to lumber sourced in the United States on all state-funded building projects.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraphs; Public Safety and Welfare; New Hampshire Building Code; Building Requirements for State Funded Buildings. Amend RSA 155-A:13 by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraphs:
III. The material specification of any state-funded building in New Hampshire shall give preference to lumber harvested in the United States, unless design criteria necessitates utilizing imported sourcing.
IV. Construction drawings or design specifications utilizing softwood framing lumber harvested in the United States shall reference United State-sourced spruce-pine-fir lumber (SPFs).
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
26-2134
11/17/25
SB 529-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT giving preference to lumber sourced in the United States on all state-funded building projects.
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | Indeterminable | ||||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill requires material specification of any state-funded building in New Hampshire to prioritize United States harvested lumber. Construction design documents shall specify the use of United States sourced Spruce Pine Fir lumber (SPFs) for softwood framing, unless design needs require imported materials.
The Department of Administrative Services Division of Public Works Design and Construction states that the impact of this bill is indeterminable due to the unpredictable nature of the building industry, which is influenced by factors such as labor costs, market demand, interest and mortgage rates, and tariffs. While framing lumber prices are currently declining due to reduced demand, a future increase in demand could strain domestic production. Combined with tariffs on Canadian lumber, this would likely lead to higher lumber costs in the United States.
It is assumed that any fiscal impact would occur after FY 2026.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Administrative Services
Nov. 24, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 1