Good News for Preservation and Conservation Investments: Plan to Redirect LCHIP Funds Stalled

The Preservation Alliance is pleased that a bill designed to redirect a portion of the dedicated funds currently invested by the Land and Community Heritage Investment (LCHIP) program in catalytic matching grants has not advanced at its first stop in the N.H. House. The House Ways and Means committee voted unanimously for retaining the bill.

The proposal in HB 621 would allow registers of deeds to retain up to an additional 10% of the LCHIP surcharge for archival restoration of land records. Currently, registers of deeds can retain 4% of the surcharge for their services. The surcharge is a $25 recording fee for each deed, mortgage, mortgage discharge, or plan. It raises about $3.5 million annually. 

The Preservation Alliance and conservation partners opposed the bill and emphasized to legislators that the LCHIP legislation is limited to preservation and conservation of significant historic buildings and natural resources, the grants leverage substantial additional funds and positive community benefits, and there is a much higher demand by sound projects than can currently be met with existing funds.

March 2, 2021