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HB 96 · 2025 · House · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Updated energy building code standard

AI-generated

requiring New Hampshire builders to use the 2021 Energy Building codes or a similar code that achieves equivalent or greater energy savings.

Updates the definition of the state building code to include a more recent version of the international energy conservation code or a similar code achieving equivalent or greater energy savings.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · March 26, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill updates the definition of the state building code to include a more recent version of the international energy conservation code or similar code that achieves equivalent or greater energy savings.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Wendy ThomasDPrime
  • Rep. Kat McGheeDRanking Member· Science, Technology, and Energy

Also: Rep. Will DarbyD

Public testimony

57 signed in online · 18 wrote testimony

86% support14% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Maintaining the energy codes which are closer in line with standards organization provides an important consumer benefit. The 2021 codes represent an appropriate cost/benefit position.…”
— William Coder, Bedfordsupports
“I built an energy efficient home 30+ years ago and have been upgrading systems as time and money have allowed. Energy saved is money saved and once implemented those saving last for the life of the home.…”
— Gerald Beck, Holdernesssupports
“This bill is like seat belts and the auto industry. The builders don't want you to pass this bill which will require them to make more energy efficient buildings because it will cost a bit more upfront.…”
— Rachel Edelson, Nashuasupports
“Stop making house maintenance more unnecessarily expensive. Some houses built years ago under less stringent requirements would require unnecessary extensive modification for maintenance of otherwise simple component replacement.…”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes
“This bill adds additional regulations that will make building homes in NH more expensive, which will result in even higher home prices in our state.…”
— Teresa Brooks, Manchesteropposes

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
  • Mar 12, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate12–4
    Overall
    75% yea
  • Mar 26, 2025HouseRoll callLay HB96 on Table (Rep. C. McGuire)Adopted199–135How they voted
    Overall
    60% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    187–0100% yea
    Democrats
    12–1358% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 22, 2025Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration4:01:57–4:03:241m 27slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 28, 2025Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration44:10–45:191m 9slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session
  • Mar 12, 2025Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:22:22–1:28:246m 2slocated in the stream transcriptLay HB96 on Table (Rep. C. McGuire) — adopted, roll call 199-135
  • Dec 17, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamDied on Table, Session ended

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 2 P. 5
  2. Jan 22, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2025 02:00 pm LOB 306-308
  3. Jan 28, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 01/28/2025 10:15 am LOB 104
  4. Mar 12, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/12/2025 11:00 am LOB 306-308
  5. Mar 12, 2025HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 03/12/2025 (Vote 12-4; RC) HC 17 P. 31
  6. Mar 18, 2025HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
  7. Mar 26, 2025HouseLay HB96 on Table (Rep. C. McGuire): MA RC 199-135 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 59
  8. Dec 17, 2025HouseDied on Table, Session ended 12/17/2025 HJ 19

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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