SB 438-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2024 SESSION
24-3070
11/05
SENATE BILL 438-FN
AN ACT relative to the use of lumber harvested in the United States for state building projects.
SPONSORS: Sen. Gendreau, Dist 1; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Rep. A. Davis, Coos 2; Rep. Rochefort, Graf. 1
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires a preference for spruce-pine-fir lumber in state 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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
24-3070
11/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four
AN ACT relative to the use of lumber harvested in the United States for state building projects.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; State Building Projects; Lumber Preference. Amend RSA 155-A by inserting after section 155-A:13 the following new section:
115-A:14 Lumber Preference. Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter,
I. 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.
II. The construction drawings or design specifications of a building where SPF (Spruce-Pine-Fir) is referenced shall mean all SPF including lumber harvested in the United States.
III. The construction drawings or design specifications of a building, where SPF is referenced, SPF shall include both SPF and SPFs unless the application necessitates one or the other.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
24-3070
Revised 12/22/23
SB 438-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to the use of lumber harvested in the United States for state building projects.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None
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Estimated State Impact - Increase / (Decrease) | ||||||
| FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable | ||||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund and Highway Fund Various Agency Funds | |||||
Appropriations | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
• Does this bill provide sufficient funding to cover estimated expenditures? [X] No • Does this bill authorize new positions to implement this bill? [X] N/A | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill specifies that state-funded building projects in New Hampshire should prioritize the use of U.S.-harvested lumber, unless design criteria require imported sourcing. As well as having spruce-pine-fir (SPF) references mean all SPF including lumber harvested in the United States.
The Department of Administrative Services states Spruce-Pine-Fir lumber harvesting and manufacturing is concentrated in the Northwestern and Northeastern United States and Canada. In State building projects, two main types of manufactured wood, KD (kiln-dried) stick lumber and KD structural assemblies, are utilized. Kiln-dried structural assemblies include trusses or glue-laminated components. Despite extensive inquiries into suppliers, it remains unclear if the lumber used in these assemblies is predominantly manufactured in Canada. The Department's understanding is that a significant portion of these assemblies is produced in Canada, and shifting both wood and manufacturing to US-based companies would likely reduce product quantities, elevate costs, and extend lead times for job site delivery.
It is assumed any fiscal impact from this bill will not occur until after FY 2024.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Administrative Services