This bill aims to enhance the grading and utilization of timber grown in New Hampshire by allowing locally harvested spruce-pine-fir south (SPFS) lumber to be accepted as equivalent to spruce-pine-fir (SPF) lumber in state building projects. The legislation recognizes that timber from New Hampshire, particularly from Coos County, shares similar growth conditions with Canadian timber, which is graded as SPF. The bill seeks to eliminate the existing barrier that prevents New Hampshire lumber from being certified as SPF, thereby supporting local sawmills, loggers, and the forest products industry.

To implement this change, the bill introduces a new section to the state building code, which stipulates that SPFS lumber graded by permitted graders or accredited agencies will be accepted wherever SPF is specified. It also outlines that structural design and inspection must adhere to SPFS design values, and municipalities are required to accept native lumber certificates or ALSC grade stamps as proof of grade. Additionally, licensed architects and engineers are permitted to specify higher strength materials if necessary for safety, while the bill maintains the option to use SPF lumber graded by accredited agencies. The act will take effect 180 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 155-A:13
HB1204 text: 155-A:13