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SB 78 · 2025 · Senate · Commerce Committee

45-day zoning board appeal deadline

AI-generated

relative to the zoning board of adjustments appeal period.

Removes the zoning board of adjustment's discretion in determining when to hear an appeal and replaces it with a non-discretionary 45-day period.AI-generated

Status

Died — the House and Senate did not agree · June 12, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill removes the zoning board of adjustment's discretion for determining when to take an appeal and replaces it with a non-discretionary 30-day period.

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. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Rep. Diane PauerRChair· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Joe AlexanderRChair· Housing
  • Rep. Jason OsborneRMajority Leader

Also: Sen. Tim McGoughR

Public testimony

18 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

50% support44% oppose6% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I represent myself, all the members of CNHT.org, and the 1,300 members of the Bedford Residents Assn including 15 associated towns.”
— Jane Aitken, Bedfordopposes
“Please oppose SB78! This usurpation of local control is a fetish of the sponsors of this locust of Housing bills this year. Local level control has historic precedent in NH which we, the people, have every right to maintain.…”
— Jim Avallon, North Hamptonopposes
“I believe that such caps are the purview of the elected town officials.”
— Cynthia Vascak, Camptonopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-01-289:30 amSenate CommerceSH 100Public hearing
  • 2025-04-0710:00 amHouse Municipal and County GovernmentLOB 301-303Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-04-2810:00 amHouse Municipal and County GovernmentLOB 301-303Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 3
  2. Jan 28, 2025SenHearing: 01/28/2025, Room 100, SH, 10:00 am; SC 7
  3. Mar 6, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/06/2025; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 11
  4. Mar 6, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
  5. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 11 P. 110
  6. Apr 7, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/07/2025 10:35 am LOB 301-303
  7. Apr 28, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 04/28/2025 10:00 am LOB 301-303
  8. Apr 28, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1713h 04/28/2025 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 23 P. 10
  9. May 8, 2025HousePersuant House Rule 39(e), Withdrawn: MF DV 2025-1713h HJ 14 P. 12
  10. May 8, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1713h: MA VV 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 12
  11. May 15, 2025SenSpecial Order to a later date, Without Objection, MA; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  12. Jun 12, 2025SenSen. Innis Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 06/12/2025; 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.