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HB 342 · 2025 · House · Housing Committee

Construction approval and clean energy districts

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to the approval process for new construction and to the adoption of energy efficient and clean energy districts by municipalities.

Allows property owners to build without a variance for minimum lot size or lot coverage when proposed density conforms to the surrounding neighborhood, and modifies municipal energy efficient and clean energy district requirements.AI-generated

Status

Recommended for passage but never voted; died at adjournment · May 22, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Allows property owners to build on their property without seeking a variance for minimum lot size or lot coverage if the proposed building density conforms to that of the surrounding neighborhood and with how the property is zoned, as verified by the local planning board. II. Modifies the requirements for the adoption of energy efficient and clean energy districts by municipalities.

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

“"Density" means the number of dwelling units per acre or the percentage of lot coverage by buildings and structures.”
RSA 674:21-b
“A city, town, village district, or county on behalf of an unincorporated place may adopt the provisions of this chapter in the following manner:”
RSA 53-F:2
“"Neighborhood" means the properties within a 1,000-foot radius of the subject property's boundary lines.”
RSA 674:21-b
“The zoning administrator shall be responsible for verifying that the proposed building conforms to the density requirements under this section.”
RSA 674:21-b

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Patrick LongDPrime
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce

Public testimony

11 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

36% support55% oppose9% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am opposed to this bill because it would allow the density of every p;art of a community to approach the maximum density anywhere as the 1000-foot distance from the densest area keeps moving out. Should downtown density or an ancient zoning mistake apply everywhere?…”
— Roy Schweiker, Concordopposes
“With "... 10 percent most densely built properties ..." clause, this screws homeowners within 1000ft of existing cluster development, planned unit development, or village plan alternative subdivision ... by targeting his other neighbors for increase redevelopment.…”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes
“This usurps local control by requiring a Town to consider situations that are contrary to their Master Plan.”
— Bruce Buttrick, Goffstownopposes

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 4, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0579h17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-0579hadopted
  • Mar 13, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0579hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 22, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2155s6–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 22, 2025SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2025-2155sadopted
  • May 22, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2155sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Jun 12, 2025HouseRoll callHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2155s (Rep. Alexander Jr.)Failed154–195How they voted
    Overall
    44% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    50–14426% yea
    Democrats
    104–5167% yea
  • Jun 12, 2025HouseVoice voteHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2155ss (Rep. Turcotte)adopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 21, 2025Public hearingHouse Housing4:08:59–4:10:081m 9slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingHouse HousingWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Mar 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Housing1:31:53–1:34:102m 17slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0579h; Subcommittee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 13, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0579h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0579h — adopted, voice vote
  • May 6, 2025Public hearingSenate Commerce1:21:35–1:33:2111m 46slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 22, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2155s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-2155s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-2155s — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 12, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:30:51–1:39:418m 50slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2155s (Rep. Alexander Jr.) — failed, roll call 154-195; House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2155ss (Rep. Turcotte) — adopted, voice vote

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 Housing HJ 2 P. 15
  2. Jan 21, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2025 02:00 pm LOB 210-211
  3. Feb 11, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/11/2025 02:00 pm LOB 305
  4. Mar 4, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 03/04/2025 09:00 am LOB 305
  5. Mar 4, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/04/2025 09:00 am LOB 305
  6. Mar 4, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0579h 03/04/2025 (Vote 17-0; CC)
  7. Mar 13, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0579h: AA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 13
  8. Mar 13, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0579h: MA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 13
  9. Mar 13, 2025SenIntroduced 03/13/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 8
  10. Apr 15, 2025SenHearing: 04/15/2025, Room 100, SH, 09:45 am; SC 17
  11. May 6, 2025SenHearing: 05/06/2025, Room 100, SH, 10:20 am; SC 20
  12. May 22, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2155s, 05/22/2025; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 22
  13. May 22, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-2155s, AA, VV; 05/22/2025; SJ 14
  14. May 22, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2155s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/22/2025; SJ 14
  15. Jun 12, 2025HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2155s (Rep. Alexander Jr.): MF RC 154-195 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 12
  16. Jun 12, 2025HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2155ss (Rep. Turcotte): MA VV 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 14

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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