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HB 685 · 2025 · House · Housing Committee

Manufactured housing in residential zones

AI-generated

permitting in all residentially zoned areas by right the construction of manufactured housing.

Permits the construction of manufactured housing by right in all residentially zoned areas.AI-generated

Status

Died — conference committee did not agree · June 19, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill updates the definition of manufactured housing, and establishes the requirement that manufactured housing must be permitted in all residential zoned areas within every municipality in the state, overriding any local zoning ordinances that prohibit or unreasonably restrict its placement.

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

“Manufactured housing as defined in this section shall not include campers or recreation vehicles as defined in RSA 216-I:1 or RSA 259:84-a; pre-site built housing as defined in RSA 674:31-a.”
RSA 674:31
“Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, manufactured housing shall be permitted as a matter of right in all land areas and lots in districts zoned to permit residential uses within every municipality in the state.”
RSA 674:31-b
“Municipal zoning ordinances shall be amended to comply with this statute, ensuring that manufactured housing is treated as a permitted use in all residential zones.”
RSA 674:31-b
“If a zoning ordinance contains no provisions pertaining to manufactured housing, it shall be deemed permitted as a matter of right, and no municipal permits or conditions shall be required other than a building permit, if necessary.”
RSA 674:31-b

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Joe AlexanderRPrimeChair· Housing
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law
  • Rep. Hope DamonDDeputy Ranking Member· Education Funding
  • Rep. Alissandra MurrayDClerk· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Ellen ReadDDeputy Ranking Member· Housing
  • Rep. Joe SweeneyRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Rep. Heath HowardDDeputy Ranking Member· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce

Also: Rep. Fred DoucetteR, Rep. Jessica GrillD

Public testimony

65 signed in online · 10 wrote testimony

29% support69% oppose2% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“We need to allow manufactured housing in all residentially zoned areas by right.…”
— Jane Haigh, Manchestersupports
“Please support this bill which will bring more homeownership opportunities to NH families”
— Kelli Cicirelli, Concordsupports
“Good morning, my name is Martha Dickey; I live in Tilton NH. I wanted to write in support of HB 685. As we all know New Hampshire is in a housing supply and affordability crisis.…”
— Martha Dickey, Tiltonsupports
“Manufactured Homes are different than conventional built homes. Manufactured Homes are built/manufactured to a different code than conventional homes.…”
— Bruce Buttrick, Goffstownopposes
“This is a backdoor way to destroy long established neighborhoods. People who bought homes depended on the zoning classification and overall zoning rules. This also takes away from local control as the localities, not the state should determine development.”
— Cole Mills, Keeneopposes
“I disagree with Bills that encroach on the right of towns to organize as we wish.”
— Kelly MacDonald, Bedfordopposes

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
  • Feb 18, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0392h17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-0392hadopted
  • Mar 6, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0392hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 8, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–1
    Overall
    83% yea
  • May 8, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Lang Floor Amendment # 2025-2005sadopted
  • May 8, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2005sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 22, 2025HouseVoice voteHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2005s and Requests CofC (Rep. Osborne)adopted
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Innis Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conferenceadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Housing1:10:55–1:29:3818m 43slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingHouse Housing1:15:09–1:16:341m 25slocated in the stream transcriptFull Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0392h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0392h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 15, 2025Public hearingSenate Commerce37:20–57:5220m 32slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 8, 2025Floor debateSenate floor51:48–54:573m 9slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-2005s — adopted, voice vote; Sen. Lang Floor Amendment # 2025-2005s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 22, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2005s and Requests CofC (Rep. Osborne) — adopted, voice vote; Speaker Appoints: Reps. Alexander Jr., Cole, D. Paige, Howland
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSen. Innis Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference — adopted, voice vote; President Appoints: Senators Innis, Murphy, Reardon; (In Recess

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Housing HJ 3 P. 23
  2. Feb 4, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2025 11:00 am LOB 305
  3. Feb 11, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/11/2025 10:00 am LOB 305
  4. Feb 11, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/11/2025 10:00 am LOB 305
  5. Feb 18, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0392h 02/18/2025 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 14 P. 10
  6. Mar 6, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0392h: AA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 16
  7. Mar 6, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0392h: MA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 16
  8. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 7
  9. Apr 15, 2025SenHearing: 04/15/2025, Room 100, SH, 09:45 am; SC 17
  10. May 8, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/08/2025, Vote 5-1; SC 20
  11. May 8, 2025SenSen. Lang Floor Amendment # 2025-2005s, AA, VV; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
  12. May 8, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2005s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
  13. May 22, 2025HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2005s and Requests CofC (Rep. Osborne): MA VV 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 53
  14. May 22, 2025HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Alexander Jr., Cole, D. Paige, Howland 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 53
  15. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Innis Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  16. Jun 5, 2025SenPresident Appoints: Senators Innis, Murphy, Reardon; (In Recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  17. Jun 17, 2025HouseConference Committee Meeting: 06/17/2025 01:00 pm LOB 302-304
  18. Jun 16, 2025HouseConferee Change: Rep. Hicks Replaces Rep. Paige 06/16/2025 HJ 17 P. 24
  19. Jul 8, 2025HouseConference Committee Report: Not Filed HJ 17
  20. Jun 19, 2025SenConference Committee Report; Not Signed Off; SJ 16

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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