Legislative Alert: NH Legislature to Consider Bills on LCHIP & Conservation Easements

The Forest Society is closely watching two bills the New Hampshire House of Representatives will consider during the 2021 Legislative session.

First, the House Judiciary will consider in the 2021 Legislative Session House Bill 82. The hearing for this bill has not been scheduled yet but the Forest Society plans to testify against the legislation. We are concerned it will, if enacted, undermine the integrity of conservation easements.

Second, the Ways and Means Committee will hear House Bill 621, which, if enacted, would allow the registers of deeds to keep up to 10 percent of the fee charged on four types of documents that are recorded at the county registry offices. This $25 registration fee is used to support LCHIP’s mission. Diverting up to 10% of the funds available to LCHIP for its grant activities means fewer worthy projects will be supported. 

As soon as the hearings for both bills have been scheduled, we will send out a notice about the hearing and more information about them.