| The House will meet in session on Wednesday, March 11th, and Thursday, March 12th. They have over 180 bills to act on as they approach final legislative deadlines.
The Senate will meet in session on Thursday, March 12th.
House Consent Calendar: Executive Departments and Administration Committee
HB 1004, exempting certain dwelling units from automatic sprinkler system requirements. Committee recommendation: Interim Study 16-0. Housing Action NH was neutral on this proposal.
House Consent Calendar: Housing Committee
HB 1005, repealing the commission to study the historical evolution of the New Hampshire zoning enabling act. Committee recommendation: ITL 17-0. Housing Action NH supports the ITL motion.
HB 1007, relative to manufactured housing. This proposal would add confusion and weaken New Hampshire’s existing manufactured law. Committee recommendation: ITL 17-0. Housing Action NH supports the ITL motion.
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. Committee recommendation: OTP 17-0. Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.
HB 1026, relative to the definition of manufactured housing. This proposal would further limit where manufactured housing can be placed. Committee recommendation: ITL 17-0 Housing Action NH supports the ITL motion.
HB 1079, allowing accessory dwelling units to be built within or attached to certain non-conforming structures. This proposal clarifies how municipalities should interpret ADU applications in existing non-confirming structures. Committee recommendation: OTP/A 17-0. Housing Action NH is supports the OTP/A motion.
HB 1103, allowing municipalities to utilize community revitalization tax relief credits on a wider variety of properties and structures, including new construction. Committee recommendation: OTP/A 17-0. Housing Action NH supports the OTP/A motion.
HB 1112, relative to snow removal responsibilities in residential lease agreements. Committee recommendation: OTP/A 17-0. Housing Action NH is neutral on this proposal.
HB 1251, relative to restricting municipal downzoning inconsistent with existing neighborhood density. Committee recommendation: Interim Study 17-0. Housing Action NH supports the concept behind this proposal, but agrees with the interim study motion.
HB 1295, relative to eligibility requirements for charitable and nonprofit housing projects. Committee recommendation: OTP/A 15-2. 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. Committee recommendation: OTP/A 17-0. 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. Committee recommendation: OTP 17-0. Housing Action NH supports the OTP motion.
HB 1619, relative to the rights of property owners and limitations on municipal land use regulation, and repealing the workforce housing program. Committee recommendation: Interim study. Housing Action NH opposed this language and advocated for an ITL motion, but an interim study motion accomplishes the same goal.
HB 1654, requiring a property owner to pay all taxes or charges on their property prior to being issued certain building or occupancy permits. Committee recommendation: ITL 17-0. Housing Action NH was neutral on this proposal.
HB 1681, relative to the definition, inspection, and local approval of tiny houses and yurts as innovative housing structures. Committee recommendation: OTP/A 17-0. Housing Action NH supports the OTP/A recommendation.
HB 1713, relative to zoning conformity and redevelopment standards (note: the bill title does not reflect the content. The bill addresses surplus state land.). Committee recommendation: ITL 17-0. Housing Action supports the concept behind this proposal. The same topic is being addressed in HB 1726.
HB 1726-FN, directing state agencies to identify and dispose of surplus property for affordable housing development. The committee amended this proposal to clarify the existing process for selling surplus property and removed references to affordable housing development. Nothing in the bill prohibits the land from being used for affordable housing development, but nothing incentivizes it either. Committee recommendation: OTP/A 17-0. Housing Action supports the concept, but prefers a version of this legislation that encourages affordable housing development.
HB 1764-FN, establishing community workforce housing targets, special assessment provisions, and a revolving loan fund for workforce housing development. Committee recommendation: ITL 17-0. Housing Action NH supports the intent of this proposal, but believes it needs more work supports the ITL motion.
Regular Calendar Part One
HB 1336-FN, allowing exceptions to the cap on residential security deposits for applicants not meeting standard approval criteria. Committee recommendation: OTP/A 9-8. Housing Action NH is sympathetic to the intent of this proposal, which is to incentivize landlords to rent to higher-risk tenants who may not meet their standard application requirements; however, we don’t believe this proposal will accomplish that goal. This proposal allows for the collection of two months’ rent as a security deposit. Higher risk tenants often do not have the ability to pay two months’ deposit and the first month’s rent up front. In practice, tenants without significant savings won’t be able to pay the increased deposit or will stretch beyond their means to make the necessary payment, creating financial strain in other areas of their budget. If they seek deposit assistance from a local nonprofit, those nonprofits will be able to help fewer people because of the increased per-person cost. Housing Action supports an ITL motion.
HB 1709-FN, relative to prohibiting the rental of residential property to individuals unlawfully present in the United States. Committee recommendation: OTP/A 9-8. As amended, this proposal limits the scope to undocumented convicted felons. This class of individuals is already classified as a risk to the public and is subject to detention. Housing Action NH opposes setting a precedent that housing policy should be used as a tool for law enforcement actions.
Regular Calendar Part-Two
CACR 16, relating to property. Providing that individuals may sleep on property they own or have a legal right to occupy. Committee recommendation: ITL 10-8. Housing Action NH was neutral on this proposal.
HB 1008, relative to modifying innovative land use controls, requirements, and appeals. Committee recommendation: ITL 10-8. Housing Action NH opposed the bill as introduced, but supports the proposed minority amendment.
HB 1017, relative to accessory dwelling units and workforce housing. Committee recommendation: ITL 10-8. Housing Action NH opposed the bill as introduced and did not take a position on the proposed amendment.
HB 1136, relative to accessory dwelling units. Committee recommendation: ITL 17-0. Housing Action NH supports the ITL motion.
HB 1145-FN, relative to affordable housing investment fees. Committee recommendation: ITL 11-7. Housing Action NH opposed this proposal as introduced and supports the ITL recommendation.
HB 1171, relative to eviction safeguards for tenants whose Social Security payments are disrupted. Committee recommendation: ITL 10-8. Housing Action NH was neutral on this proposal.
HB 1218, relative to the disclosure of rights and responsibilities during the sale of a mobile home in a mobile home park. Committee recommendation: ITL 9-8. 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. Committee recommendation: Interim Study 16-1. Housing Action NH supports an OTP motion.
HB 1375, prohibiting landlords from charging more than one application fee per tenant every 12 months. Committee recommendation: ITL 9-8. Housing Action NH supports an OTP motion.
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. Committee recommendation: ITL 9-8. Housing Action NH supports an OTP motion.
HB 1660, relative to municipal credit enhancement agreements and tax increment financing for priority housing development. Committee recommendation: ITL 9-8. Housing Action NH supports an OTP motion. |
