< CLICK MENU TO SEE MORE! - ELECT KEN WELLS -
We often think of candidates as mere "politicians" who parrot a Party ideology and make vague campaign promises "to fight" to win our vote. However, once elected to the job, you want your Representative to be an effective thought-leader and policymaker. This requires a special set of analytical, problem-solving and persuasive communications skills. These skills are on full display in Ken Wells' powerful writing and speeches.
Scroll down for a comprehensive archive of Ken's thought-provoking
PUBLICATIONS AND HOUSE SPEECHES





Use the "Previous" and "Forward" buttons at the bottom of the page to see more content.
  • Home
  • About Ken
    • Compare Values
    • Contact Ken
    • Articles & Speeches
  • Donate
  • Property Taxes
  • Support Education
    • NH Forward
  • Health & Safety
    • Women's Rights & LGBTQ+
  • Environment & Economy
    • Environmental Action Plan 2020-2050

2/4/2020

Introducing HB1414 - updating timber tresspass laws

0 Comments

Read Now
 
Introduction of HB1414
before the Resources, Recreation and Development Committee on Tuesday Feb 4 at 11am in LOB Room 302


Thank you Chairman Smith, Vice Chairman Maes and fellow Representatives for the opportunity to speak before you today. I thank you in advance for your kind attention.

For the record, I am Rep. Ken Wells of Andover, and I am here to introduce House Bill 1414, with amendment 2020-0xxxh.

This intent of this bill is to reduce the likelihood of timber trespass or theft, and to make certain that the penalties for negligent or willful incursions onto another’s land are shared fairly among the all parties responsible. 
I have given the committee copies of RSA 227-J:8 and J:8a, that specify the civil and criminal penalties for timber trespass or theft. The civil penalty is three to ten times the value of the stumpage cut, and the criminal penalties may include permanent loss of license (and consequent loss of livelihood) and even charges of a Class B felony. This seems to always levy the penalty most heavily on those who are least able to afford it, the loggers.
As the statute is written now, only the people actively working in the woods are held responsible, including the forester, the operator and members of the logging crew. If a landowner or landowner’s agent were to mislead the woodsmen about the location of boundaries, or provide a false map or survey, either willfully or negligently, there is no consequence to them under the statute.  Such a person is not subject to the penalties under the statute, even if they are culpable. This strikes me as very unfair.

In the language of the bill as introduced, I first thought to remedy this through an affidavit on the Intent to Cut, and then was advised that it might be more appropriate to address it through the terms of the required contract between the landowner and logger. However, I believe this amendment to the language of the penalty section RSA 227-J:8 and J:8a, to include language such as “...or persons...who cause to be cut…” gives authority to the state forester to direct the penalties in the way most appropriate to the circumstances of a particular case.

This is a fairly simple change to the statute, and I hope I have explained it well. I’m very happy to take your questions.

​

Share

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

Details

    Author

    Ken Wells represented Andover, Danbury and Salisbury in the New Hampshire House of Representatives during the 2018-2020 session. He currently serves on the Andover Planning Board and is the President of a education non-profit "NH Forward" (an unpaid position).

    Archives

    June 2022
    March 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About Ken
    • Compare Values
    • Contact Ken
    • Articles & Speeches
  • Donate
  • Property Taxes
  • Support Education
    • NH Forward
  • Health & Safety
    • Women's Rights & LGBTQ+
  • Environment & Economy
    • Environmental Action Plan 2020-2050