Take Action:
Housing Stability
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On Tuesday, the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee will hold a public hearing on House Bill 348. Housing Action NH opposes HB 348 because it allows municipalities to require documented proof of residency prior to issuing public benefits. Individuals who are unhoused or fleeing domestic violence situations may not have proof of residency documentation immediately available, which will leave them with limited or no options for additional assistance.
We have no issues with municipalities that want to ensure local public benefits are going to local residents; however, there is an existing process for determining the town of origin for someone seeking benefits. This proposal will only leave more individuals out in the cold while the benefits they are legally entitled to are withheld from them.
Please consider signing in to oppose HB 348. To sign in, select Tuesday, March 3rd → Election Law and Municipal Affairs → House Bill 348.
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State House Updates:
In The Committee Room
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* As a reminder, the legislative office building is closed for renovations. All House committee meetings will be held at 1 Granite Place (South Building), Concord, NH. You can find directions and general information here. *
House Housing Committee: Tuesday, March 3rd, Granite Place, Room 231
Subcommittee Work Session
9:30 AM – HB 1540, establishing uniform requirements for accessory dwelling units and providing municipalities with authority and guidance for zoning, permitting, and environmental protections. Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.
9:35 AM – HB 1112, relative to snow removal responsibilities in residential lease agreements. Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.
9:45 AM – HB 1079, allowing accessory dwelling units to be built within or attached to certain non-conforming structures. Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.
All House policy committees must act on House Bills that are not in a second committee by Thursday, March 5th. On Tuesday, March 3rd, starting at 10:00 AM, the House Housing Committee will make recommendations on the following bills:
- HB 1005, repealing the commission to study the historical evolution of the New Hampshire zoning enabling act. Housing Action NH opposes HB 1005.
- HB 1007, relative to manufactured housing. Housing Action NH opposes this proposal.
- HB 1021, amending the date to provide written notice to a municipality of a taxpayer’s election to be assessed under the low-income housing tax credit program. Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.
- HB 1026, relative to the definition of manufactured housing. Housing Action NH opposes this proposal.
- HB 1050, establishing the right to provide educational instruction in municipally zoned and non-zoned areas. Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.
- HB 1079, allowing accessory dwelling units to be built within or attached to certain non-conforming structures. Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.
- HB 1103, allowing municipalities to utilize community revitalization tax relief credits on a wider variety of properties and structures. Housing Action NH supports this proposal.
- HB 1112, relative to snow removal responsibilities in residential lease agreements. Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.
- HB 1136, relative to accessory dwelling units. Housing Action NH opposes this proposal.
- HB 1218, relative to the disclosure of rights and responsibilities during the sale of a mobile home in a mobile home park. Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.
- HB 1251, relative to restricting municipal downzoning inconsistent with existing neighborhood density. Housing Action NH supports the concept behind this proposal, but believes it needs more work prior to passage.
- HB 1295, relative to eligibility requirements for charitable and nonprofit housing projects. Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.
- HB 1336-FN, allowing exceptions to the cap on residential security deposits for applicants not meeting standard approval criteria. Housing Action NH opposes this proposal.
- HB 1343, allowing remote and hybrid meetings for the governing body of the organization of unit owners. Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.
- HB 1357, permitting in all residentially zoned areas by right the placement of newly constructed manufactured homes. Housing Action NH supports this proposal.
- HB 1375, prohibiting landlords from charging more than one application fee per tenant every 12 months. Housing Action NH supports this proposal.
- HB 1432, relative to electric utility rate classification and cost allocation for condominium associations. Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.
- HB 1450, relative to the designation and control of shared facilities in rental properties. Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.
- HB 1517-FN, relative to certain residential property interests controlled by certain entities. Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.
- HB 1540, establishing uniform requirements for accessory dwelling units and providing municipalities with authority and guidance for zoning, permitting, and environmental protections. Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.
- HB 1588-FN, establishing special assessment districts and expands the housing infrastructure grant program to allow for municipal upgrades linked to new housing and making an appropriation therefor. Housing Action NH supports this proposal.
- HB 1613-FN, directing the Department of Business and Economic Affairs to produce a report detailing methods to increase lending practices for housing developments that help persons with disabilities. Housing Action NH supports this proposal.
- HB 1619, relative to the rights of property owners and limitations on municipal land use regulation, and repealing the workforce housing program. Housing Action NH opposes this proposal.
- HB 1654, requiring a property owner to pay all taxes or charges on their property prior to being issued certain building or occupancy permits. Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.
- HB 1660, relative to municipal credit enhancement agreements and tax increment financing for priority housing development. Housing Action NH supports this proposal.
- HB 1681, relative to the definition, inspection, and local approval of tiny houses and yurts as innovative housing structures. Housing Action NH supports this proposal.
- HB 1709-FN, relative to prohibiting the rental of residential property to individuals unlawfully present in the United States. Housing Action NH opposes this proposal.
- HB 1713, relative to zoning conformity and redevelopment standards (note: the bill title does not reflect the content. The bill addresses surplus state land.). Housing Action NH supports the concept behind this proposal, but believes the legislature may benefit from a greater understanding of available surplus land.
- HB 1726-FN, directing state agencies to identify and dispose of surplus property for affordable housing development. Housing Action NH supports the concept behind this proposal, but believes the legislature may benefit from a greater understanding of available surplus land.
- HB 1764-FN, establishing community workforce housing targets, special assessment provisions, and a revolving loan fund for workforce housing development. Housing Action NH supports the intent of this proposal, but believes it needs more work prior to passage.
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs: Tuesday, March 3rd, State House Room 122-123
9:30 AM – HB 348, relative to eligibility for local assistance.
- What It Does: This proposal allows municipalities to place additional requirements, including proof of residency documentation requirements, on individuals seeking public welfare assistance, including rental assistance.
- Why It Matters: Individuals who are unhoused or fleeing domestic violence situations may not have proof of residency documentation, which will leave them with limited options for additional assistance. If the intent of the legislation is to ensure that local welfare tax dollars are going to local residents, there is already a process for town of origin determination.
- HANH Position: Oppose
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State House Updates:
On The Floor
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The House will meet for session on Thursday, March 5th. They will vote on the following housing-related proposals:
Consent Calendar: Municipal and County Government Committee
HB 1181-FN, relative to public hearing notice requirements for zoning board of adjustment appeals. ITL 17-0. This proposal eliminated the requirement that ZBAs post hearing notices in newspapers of general circulation five days prior to the hearing date. Housing Action NH did not have a position on this proposal.
HB 1303, authorizing municipalities to adopt zoning ordinances related to the protection, management, or replacement of tree canopy. ITL 17-0. Housing Action NH opposed this proposal because there were no guardrails for reasonable implementation, which could limit opportunities for new housing.
HB 1327, relative to the definition of commercially-zoned land. ITL 17-0. This proposal would change the definition for “mixed-use” and “commercially zoned land” in state law. Housing Action NH opposed this proposal.
HB 1583, permitting municipalities to establish special assessment districts for infrastructure improvements. ITL 17–0. Housing Action NH supports this proposal and testified in support of HB 1588, a similar proposal under consideration by the House Housing Committee.
Consent Calendar: Resources, Recreation and Development Committee
HB 1783, relative to benefits issued to certain water-related infrastructure projects. ITL 16-0. This proposal would add additional infrastructure opportunities within the Housing Champions Program. Housing Action NH supports the proposal.
The Senate is scheduled to meet for session on Thursday, March 5th. They will vote on the following housing-related proposals:
Senate Calendar
SB 523-FN, establishing the registration and oversight of builders. OTP/A 5-0
This bill would establish a Board of Builder Registration that would set forth regulatory requirements for certain builders and general contractors engaged in construction-related business on any residential property. Given the complexity of this issue, and the concerns raised by stakeholders, the Committee believed this bill needed additional work. The Committee Amendment would replace the entirety of the bill with a commission to study the implementation of a residential builder registration system. Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.
SB 441-FN, requiring a municipality that intends to transport a person needing substance use disorder treatment and other support services to have a memorandum of understanding with the receiving municipality prior to transport. OTP/A 3-2
As amended, this bill provides that a municipality that assists an individual who is not a resident may request reimbursement from the municipality of residence. The bill also enables a municipality to request a hearing to determine residency of an assisted person. Housing Action NH did not support SB 441 as introduced. The proposed amendment improves the proposal.
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State House Updates:
Floor Recap
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The House and Senate did not meet for any floor votes last week.
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