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HB 428 · 2025 · House · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Local changes to state building code

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to the state building code.

Prohibits local legislative bodies from adopting any new amendments to the state building code beyond those already in effect.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill prohibits local legislative bodies from making any new changes to the state building codes.

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

“The local legislative body, as defined in RSA 672:8, is hereby empowered and authorized to establish a local enforcement agency, as defined in RSA 155-A:1, III, to enforce the state building code adopted under RSA 155-A.”
RSA 155-A:3
“The local legislative body may adopt a nationally recognized code not included in, and not inconsistent with, the state building code, except for a nationally recognized code which has the same or similar scope or purpose, as determined by the building code review board, that is included in the most recent edition of the state building code adopted under RSA 155-A:1, IV.”
RSA 155-A:3
“Amendments to the state building code implementing the issuance of permits and the collection of fees pursuant to RSA 155-A:2, III, and the issuance of permits and certificates of occupancy pursuant to RSA 155-A:2, IV, or other administrative functions shall be reserved for the municipalities, provided they are not less stringent than the state building code and confirmed pursuant to RSA 155-A:3, IV.”
RSA 155-A:3
“At a minimum, the municipality shall ensure by ordinance that implementation and enforcement includes:”
RSA 155-A:3

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Joe AlexanderRPrimeChair· Housing
  • Rep. Dan McGuireRVice Chair· Finance
  • Rep. Jason OsborneRMajority Leader
  • Rep. Joe SweeneyRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Mark McConkeyRChair· Capital Budget

Also: Rep. Carol McGuireR, Rep. Mark WardenR

Public testimony

9 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

22% support78% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Municipalities provide the state with the proving ground for innovation.…”
— Susan Richman, Durhamopposes

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 22, 2025Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration1:37:44–1:43:466m 2slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 28, 2025Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration1:03:04–1:04:251m 21slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session
  • Feb 12, 2025Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration5:11:16–5:12:381m 22slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:39:42–1:42:362m 54slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0328h — adopted, division 188-151; Amendment # 2025-0328h — adopted, division 184-149
  • Apr 16, 2025Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration1:16:59–1:18:341m 35slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 15, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1989s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1989s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-1989s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 22, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1989s (Rep. Osborne) — adopted, voice vote; Speaker Appoints: Reps. S. Pearson, Sheehan, Grote, C. McGuire
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSen. Pearl Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference — adopted, voice vote; President Appoints: Senators Pearl, Gannon, Reardon; (In Recess
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamConference Committee Report Filed, # 2025-2824c; Conference Committee Report # 2025-2824c, Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnamed in a list of bills, not taken up — opens the full streamConference Committee Report 2025-2824c: 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 Executive Departments and Administration HJ 3 P. 9
  2. Jan 22, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2025 11:30 am LOB 306-308
  3. Jan 28, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 01/28/2025 10:15 am LOB 104
  4. Feb 12, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/12/2025 12:00 pm LOB 306-308
  5. Feb 12, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/12/2025 12:00 pm LOB 306-308
  6. Mar 12, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0328h 03/12/2025 (Vote 10-6; RC) HC 17 P. 32
  7. Mar 18, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  8. Mar 26, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0328h: AA DV 184-149 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 65
  9. Mar 26, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0328h: MA DV 188-151 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 65
  10. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 10
  11. Apr 16, 2025SenHearing: 04/16/2025, Room 103, SH, 09:40 am; SC 17
  12. May 15, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1989s, 05/15/2025; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 21
  13. May 15, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-1989s, AA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  14. May 15, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-1989s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  15. May 22, 2025HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1989s (Rep. Osborne): MA VV 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 52
  16. May 22, 2025HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. S. Pearson, Sheehan, Grote, C. McGuire 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 52
  17. Jun 12, 2025HouseConferee Change: Rep. Layon Replaces Rep. Grote 06/12/2025 HJ 16 P. 173
  18. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Pearl Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  19. Jun 5, 2025SenPresident Appoints: Senators Pearl, Gannon, Reardon; (In Recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  20. Jun 18, 2025HouseConference Committee Meeting: 06/18/2025 09:00 am LOB 205-207
  21. Jun 26, 2025SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2025-2824c; 06/26/2025
  22. Jun 26, 2025SenConference Committee Report # 2025-2824c, Adopted, VV; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
  23. Jun 26, 2025HouseConference Committee Report 2025-2824c: Adopted, VV 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 18
  24. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  25. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 63
  26. Aug 1, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 08/01/2025; Chapter 276; eff.07/01/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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