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HB 399 · 2025 · House · Housing Committee

Study commission on zoning enabling act

AI-generated

(New Title) establishing a commission to study the New Hampshire zoning enabling act and relative to the effective date of the C-PACER program.

Establishes a commission to study the New Hampshire zoning enabling act and adjusts the effective date of the C-PACER commercial property assessed clean energy financing program.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · March 11, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Establishes a commission to study the New Hampshire zoning enabling act. II. Changes the effective date of 2025; 1 (SB 4), relative to the C-PACER program, from January 1, 2026 to upon passage. III. Modifies the definition of "municipality" in the energy efficiency and clean energy districts chapter.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“There is established a commission to study the historical evolution of New Hampshire’s zoning enabling act, currently codified at RSA 674:16.”
RSA 674:23-a
“Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.”
RSA 674:23-a
“The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.”
RSA 674:23-a
“The commission shall make an interim report of its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation on or before November 1, 2025 and a final report of its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation on or before November 1, 2026.”
RSA 674:23-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Joe AlexanderRPrimeChair· Housing
  • Rep. Jason OsborneRMajority Leader
  • Rep. Alexis SimpsonDDemocratic Leader
  • Rep. Joe SweeneyRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Sen. Mark McConkeyRChair· Capital Budget
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore

Also: Sen. Tara ReardonD

Public testimony

9 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

56% support11% oppose33% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This starts with the unfounded assertion that there is an UNBALANCE of state and municipalities zoning powers. A rotten basis. There is no prevention of housing zealots like House Speaker and Senate President from STACKING THE DECK with housing industry developers and advocates.…”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes
“I'm neutral on this Bill, more so being suspect of the composition of the Commission being able to research and recommend with open minds.…”
— Bruce Buttrick, Goffstownneutral
“Having been an urban planner for 44 years in both the public and private sectors, I know something about the development of affordable housing in New Hampshire and other states.…”
— David Preece, Manchesterneutral

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 21, 2025Public hearingHouse Housing5:46:42–5:49:062m 24slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0023h — roll call; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 6, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:19:50–1:20:581m 8slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0023h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0023h — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 4, 2025Public hearingSenate Commerce2:13:34–2:26:5813m 24slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateSenate floor28:44–32:113m 27slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0736s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0736s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-0736s — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateHouse floor52:22–53:301m 8slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-0736s (Rep. Alexander Jr.) — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-0804 EBA — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Housing HJ 3 P. 8
  2. Jan 21, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2025 03:00 pm LOB 210-211
  3. Jan 21, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/21/2025 03:00 pm LOB 210-211
  4. Jan 21, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0023h 01/21/2025 (Vote 16-0; RC) HC 10 P. 9
  5. Feb 6, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0023h: AA VV 02/06/2025 HJ 4 P. 24
  6. Feb 6, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0023h: MA VV 02/06/2025 HJ 4 P. 24
  7. Feb 13, 2025SenIntroduced 02/13/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 6
  8. Mar 4, 2025SenHearing: 03/04/2025, Room 100, SH, 11:45 am; SC 11
  9. Mar 6, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0736s, 03/06/2025, Vote 6-0; SC 11A
  10. Mar 6, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-0736s, AA, VV; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
  11. Mar 6, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0736s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
  12. Mar 6, 2025HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-0736s (Rep. Alexander Jr.): MA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 30
  13. Mar 6, 2025HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-0804 EBA: AA VV (in recess of) 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 98
  14. Mar 6, 2025SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-0804e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 03/06/2025); SJ 7
  15. Mar 6, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 98
  16. Mar 6, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 03/06/2025); SJ 7
  17. Mar 10, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 03/10/2025; Chapter 2; I. Sec 1 Eff. 7/1/25 II. Sec 3 Eff. 11/1/26 III. Rem Eff. 3/10/25

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.