Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

SB 282 · 2025 · Senate · Commerce Committee

Single stairway rule for buildings

AI-generated

relative to stairway requirements in certain residential buildings.

Allows residential buildings up to four floors above grade plane to have a single stairway under conditions established by the state building code review board.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 22, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill allows residential buildings between 6 and 4 floors above grade to have only one stairway under certain conditions.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Keith MurphyRPrimeDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce
  • Rep. Jason OsborneRMajority Leader
  • Rep. Joe AlexanderRChair· Housing

Public testimony

33 signed in online · 14 wrote testimony

30% support67% oppose3% 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
“The Select Board of Town of Dalton opposes this bill. This bill erodes the local control and decision making which is important to our residents and to the State.…”
— Jo Beth Dudley, Dalton · Dalton Select Boardopposes
“Please ITL House Bill SB282. Passage of this bill would almost certainly result in the deaths of residents trapped by fire or other hazards because of the one staircase limit.”
— Francesca Heap, Richmondopposes
“Please oppose SB282! This is a dangerous move for fire and smoke. We need two means of egress inside the building.”
— Jim Avallon, North Hamptonopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-209:30 amSenate CommerceSH 100Public hearing
  • 2025-04-089:30 amHouse HousingLOB 301-303Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-04-1510:00 amHouse HousingLOB 302-304Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-05-0610:00 amHouse HousingLOB 305Public hearingrescheduled

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 3
  2. Feb 20, 2025SenHearing: 02/20/2025, Room 100, SH, 10:00 am; SC 10
  3. Mar 20, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0905s, 03/20/2025; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 13
  4. Mar 20, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-0905s, AA, VV; 03/20/2025; SJ 8
  5. Mar 20, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0905s, 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. 113
  7. Apr 8, 2025House==RECESSED== Public Hearing: 04/08/2025 01:00 pm LOB 305
  8. Apr 15, 2025House==CONTINUED== Public Hearing: 04/15/2025 01:30 pm LOB
  9. May 6, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 05/06/2025 10:00 am LOB 305
  10. May 6, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1701h 05/06/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC)
  11. May 22, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-1701h: AA VV 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 6
  12. May 22, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1701h: MA VV 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 6
  13. Jun 12, 2025SenSen. Innis Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 06/12/2025; SJ 16
  14. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 60
  15. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  16. Jul 15, 2025SenSigned by the Governor on 07/15/2025; Chapter 0257; Effective 07/15/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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