* 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. *
Senate Commerce Committee – Tuesday, April 21st, State House Room 100
9:30 AM – HB 1010, (New Title) relative to multi-family residential development on commercially zoned land.
- What It Does: As passed by the House, this proposal makes a few technical changes to the multi-family residential homes allowed in commercial zones bill passed last year.
- Why It Matters: The residential in commercial – also called homes near jobs – bill from last session creates more opportunity for housing where there is existing development and infrastructure. It also helps meet the current economic need by allowing for underutilized office space and aging strip malls to be converted to housing.
- HANH Position: We opposed this proposal as introduced because it repealed the entire homes near jobs law. We are neutral on the proposal as passed by the House.
9:45 AM – HB 1103, allowing municipalities to utilize community revitalization tax relief credits on a wider variety of properties and structures.
- What It Does: This proposal allows for the state’s community revitalization tax relief or 79-E program to be used on new construction and provides more flexibility on definitions of affordability.
- Why It Matters: New Hampshire’s 79-E program is an important tool for communities that want to support revitalization and affordable housing development. The increased flexibility will lead to more communities utilizing the program and is in response to municipal requests.
- HANH Position: Support
10:00 AM – HB 1079, allowing accessory dwelling units to be built within or attached to certain non-conforming structures.
- What It Does: This proposal clarifies how municipalities should interpret detached ADU applications for existing non-conforming structures.
- Why It Matters: This is a technical improvement that will provide additional clarity for municipalities and property owners. The intent of HB 577 in 2025 was to allow existing non-confirming structures, like a barn or garage, to be converted into an ADU without requiring additional variances.
- HANH Position: Support
10:15 AM – HB 1540, (New Title) relative to municipal health ordinances and accessory dwelling units.
- What It Does: This bill clarifies that municipalities retain authority to enforce local health ordinances related to septic safety and maintenance when regulating accessory dwelling units.
- Why It Matters: This is a technical change to maintain health and safety standards without compromising the intent of the 2025 ADU legislative changes.
- HANH Position: No Position
10:30 AM – HB 1681, relative to the definition, inspection, and local approval of tiny houses and yurts as innovative housing structures.
- What It Does: This bill establishes standards for innovative housing structures such as tiny houses, tiny houses on wheels, and yurts, allowing their use as single-family or accessory dwellings, setting inspection and permitting requirements, authorizing municipal property tax assessments, regulating transport, and permitting grey water disposal systems.
- Why It Matters: This proposal will create clear standards for a variety of innovative structures that can play a small role in increasing housing options for Granite Staters.
- HANH Position: Support
11:00 AM – HB 1295, relative to eligibility requirements for charitable and nonprofit housing projects.
- What It Does: This bill restricts eligibility requirements for charitable, nonprofit housing project tax exemptions with a specific focus on elderly housing. The eligibility requirements are written to ensure low-income residents’ access.
- Why It Matters: This proposal aims to ensure that nonprofit, tax-exempt senior housing facilities demonstrate a charitable benefit.
- HANH Position: No Position
House Housing Committee – Tuesday, April 21st, Granite Place Room 231
10:00 AM – SB 523, (New Title) establishing a commission to study the implementation of a residential builder registration system.
- What It Does: This proposal establishes a commission to study the implementation of a residential build registration system.
- Why It Matters: It can be difficult for homeowners to verify the credibility of certain residential builders. The commission would look at mechanisms to promote transparency and consumer protection without creating regulatory burdens.
- HANH Position: No Position
The House Housing Committee will also vote make committee recommendations on SB 415, relative to a certain exemption in interest in condominium units; SB 490, establishing a task force to assess the development of housing at Great Bay community college and authorizing the college the right to use vacant property for the purpose of developing housing; SB 523-FN, establishing a commission to study the implementation of a residential builder registration system.
