HB 432 · 2025 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee
Recovery house zoning rules
AI-generatedrelative to recovery houses.
Changes the definition of recovery house and specifies how recovery houses are to be treated when interpreting zoning ordinances.AI-generated
Status
Died on the table in the House · March 27, 2025- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill changes the definition of recovery house and specifies how a recovery house ought to be treated when interpreting zoning ordinances.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
In the bill's words
Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site
“A recovery house, as defined in RSA 153:10-d, II, that is located within a single-family, 2-family, or multi-family structure shall be treated in every zoning ordinance as a single-family, 2-family, or multi-family use, respectively, and shall not be subject to permitting or approval processes that a zoning ordinance or other land use regulation adopted under this title does not similarly require of other such uses.”
“Use of an existing multi-family structure as a recovery house under this paragraph shall not require site plan review.”
“For purposes of this paragraph, a recovery house shall be certified pursuant to RSA 172-B:2, V(a)(2) or shall be actively pursuing certification and achieve certification within one year after beginning operations.”
“For a recovery house to be included under this paragraph, its operator shall first provide written notification to the local governing body at least 30 days prior to beginning operations, and the local governing body may seek to ensure that the recovery house is either certified or seeking certification, as well as to ensure that the requirements of RSA 153 and RSA 155-A are met.”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
Rep. Merryl GibbsDPrime
- Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
- Rep. Hope DamonDDeputy Ranking Member· Education Funding
- Rep. Wayne MacDonaldRChair· Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
Also: Rep. David PreeceD, Rep. Mark ProulxR
Public testimony
119 signed in online · 25 wrote testimony
95% support5% oppose0% neutral
In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“The NH Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) is currently administering the Recovery Housing Program, which is a pilot program deploying federal resources in New Hampshire to help increase the availability of stable, temporary housing to individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder.…”
“Having served on a Board of a non-profit for a drop-in Center for people with substance misuse I personally have seen the impact on people's lives who continue to use and then on people's lives who come into recovery.…”
“In New Hampshire, access to housing remains one of the greatest obstacles for people facing substance misuse. Recovery housing is important for individuals with substance use disorder because it provides a safe and healthy living environment.…”
“While I i understand the need for recovery house for all manors to help people overcome life’s difficulties, I feel there has to be restrictions on their location. Placing these residential areas lead to potential issues.…”
“I have worked and interacted with various people that that utilize illicit substances. I also work in the counseling profession and have supported individuals with diverse disabilities, struggles, and addictions.…”
“This codifies a self-conflicting lie as to the nature of the dwelling.”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Votes
yeanay- Mar 10, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate11–7Overall61% yea
- Mar 27, 2025HouseVoice voteLay HB432 on Table (Rep. Sweeney)adopted
Hearings and debates
- Jan 30, 2025Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government3:30:30–3:42:4512m 15slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
- Feb 19, 2025Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government35:18–37:342m 16slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session
- Mar 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government55:32–56:401m 8slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session
- Mar 10, 2025Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government5:20:39–5:23:252m 46slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Executive Session
- Mar 27, 2025Floor debateHouse floor7:46:52–7:48:441m 52slocated in the stream transcriptLay HB432 on Table (Rep. Sweeney) — 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
- Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 3 P. 9
- Jan 30, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/30/2025 01:00 pm LOB 301-303
- Feb 19, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/19/2025 10:00 am LOB 305
- Mar 4, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 03/04/2025 10:30 am LOB 307
- Mar 10, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/10/2025 09:30 am LOB 301-303
- Mar 10, 2025HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 03/10/2025 (Vote 11-7; RC) HC 17 P. 65
- Mar 19, 2025HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
- Mar 27, 2025HouseLay HB432 on Table (Rep. Sweeney): MA VV 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 90
- 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.