Bill > HB1204

This bill aims to support New Hampshire's timber industry by allowing lumber grown in the state, particularly from its northern regions, to be graded and used interchangeably with lumber designated as "spruce-pine-fir" (SPF), an international grading standard often applied to Canadian wood. The bill acknowledges that New Hampshire's climate and growing conditions are similar to those in Canada, producing timber of comparable quality. Currently, New Hampshire lumber is often graded as "spruce-pine-fir-south" (SPFS), which is perceived as a slightly weaker classification, creating a disadvantage for local sawmills and loggers. The bill amends the state building code to ensure that SPFS lumber harvested and milled in New Hampshire, when graded by certified graders or accredited agencies, will be accepted wherever SPF is specified, unless a licensed architect or engineer requires higher strength materials. It also mandates that state building projects consider New Hampshire-harvested timber.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1795&inflect=2