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SB 163 · 2025 · Senate · Commerce Committee

Repealing building permit moratoria authority

AI-generated

(New Title) repealing the temporary moratoria and limitation on building permits and the approval of subdivisions and site plans.

Repeals the authority of local legislative bodies to adopt ordinances establishing temporary moratoria and limitations on building permits and the approval of subdivisions and site plans.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill repeals the authority for a local legislative body to adopt an ordinance establishing a temporary moratoria and limitations on building permits and the approval of subdivisions and site plans.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“"Phased development" means a development, usually for large-scale projects, in which construction of public or private improvements proceeds in stages on a schedule over a period of years established in the subdivision or site plan approved by the planning board.”
Section 1
“This paragraph shall not be construed to limit the planning board's authority to deny a subdivision application on the basis that it is scattered or premature.”
Section 2
“RSA 674:23, relative to the authority to adopt a local ordinance establishing a temporary moratoria and limitation on building permits and the approval of subdivisions and site plans, is repealed.”
Section 3
“Phased development does not include a general limit on the issuance of building permits or the granting of subdivision or site plan approval in the municipality, which may be accomplished only by a growth management ordinance under RSA 674:22[ or a temporary moratorium or limitation under RSA 674:23].”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Howard PearlRPrimeChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce
  • Rep. Juliet Harvey-BoliaRDeputy Majority Floor Leader
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
  • Rep. Joe AlexanderRChair· Housing

Also: Sen. David WattersD, Sen. Tim McGoughR, Rep. Jonathan MortonR

Public testimony

43 signed in online · 19 wrote testimony

19% support81% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support this bill. 84/163/281/282/170 Indeed, I support all these bills. Charles Marohn and StrongTowns capture the essence of individual property rights with a community perspective. His most recent book on the Housing Crisis is apropos, I will not quote here.…”
— tom luther, claremontsupports
“I submit my opposition to this Bill on behalf of the Wolfeboro Board of Selectman. It takes away local control.”
— John MacDonald, Wolfeboro · Rep. Carroll Dist. 6opposes
“SB163 A town must maintain control over a decision for a moratorium or limitation on building permits and approvals for subdivisions and site plans. The local control must be maintained for the town.”
— Carol Schutte, Hampton Fallsopposes
“I OPPOSE this bill. Will these mandates actually encourage the building of affordable housing? How will the proposals be interpreted and implemented at the local level? Will costly lawsuits follow? Will the values and vision of voters in our local communities be disregarded?…”
— Susan Porcelli, Hampton Fallsopposes

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 20, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–2
    Overall
    67% yea
  • Mar 20, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Pearl Floor Amendment # 2025-0910sadopted
  • Mar 20, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0910sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 6, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendarCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1950h (NT)17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jun 5, 2025HouseVoice voteLay SB163 on Table (Rep. Alexander Jr.)adopted

Hearings and debates

  • Mar 4, 2025Public hearingSenate Commerce2:00:41–2:13:5413m 13slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 20, 2025Floor debateSenate floor1:24:31–1:29:014m 30slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0910s — adopted, voice vote; Sen. Pearl Floor Amendment # 2025-0910s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 15, 2025Public hearingHouse Housing3:16:01–3:40:3624m 35slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • May 6, 2025Public hearingHouse Housing44:55–45:2025slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1950h (NT) — roll call; Executive Session
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateHouse floor8:29:58–8:31:431m 45slocated in the stream transcriptLay SB163 on Table (Rep. Alexander Jr.) — adopted, voice vote
  • 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 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 3
  2. Mar 4, 2025SenHearing: 03/04/2025, Room 100, SH, 11:30 am; SC 11
  3. Mar 20, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/20/2025, Vote 4-2; SC 13
  4. Mar 20, 2025SenSen. Pearl Floor Amendment # 2025-0910s, AA, VV; 03/20/2025; SJ 8
  5. Mar 20, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0910s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/20/2025; SJ 8
  6. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Housing HJ 11 P. 111
  7. Apr 15, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/15/2025 11:30 am LOB 302-304
  8. May 6, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 05/06/2025 10:00 am LOB 305
  9. May 6, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1950h (NT) 05/06/2025 (Vote 17-0; RC) HC 27 P. 22
  10. Jun 5, 2025HouseLay SB163 on Table (Rep. Alexander Jr.): MA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 156
  11. Dec 17, 2025HouseDied on Table, Session ended 12/17/2025 HJ 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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