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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 45-day period.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the House. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Appeals to the board of adjustment concerning any matter within the board's powers as set forth in RSA 674:33 may be taken by the applicant, an abutter as defined by RSA 672:3, or by any officer, department, board, or bureau of the municipality affected by any decision of the administrative officer.”
Section 1
“Such appeal shall be taken within [a reasonable time, as provided by the rules of the board,] 45 days by filing with the officer from whom the appeal is taken and with the board a notice of appeal specifying the grounds thereof.”
Section 1
“The officer from whom the appeal is taken shall forthwith transmit to the board all the papers constituting the record upon which the action appealed from was taken.”
Section 1

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 6, 2025SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass6–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 28, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1713h18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 8, 2025HouseDivisionPersuant House Rule 39(e), WithdrawnFailed2025–1713
    Overall
    54% yea
  • May 8, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1713hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Jun 12, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Innis Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendmentadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 28, 2025Public hearingSenate Commerce38:36–44:125m 36slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 7, 2025Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government1:08:04–1:12:544m 50slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 28, 2025Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government2:04:29–2:11:036m 34slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1713h; Executive Session
  • May 8, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1713h — adopted, voice vote; Persuant House Rule 39(e), Withdrawn — failed, division 2025-1713
  • May 15, 2025Floor debateSenate floor49:03–50:231m 20slocated in the stream transcriptSpecial Order to a later date, Without Objection — adopted
  • Jun 12, 2025Floor debateSenate floor29:38–30:481m 10slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Innis Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote

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

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.