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HB 1540 · 2026 · House · Housing Committee

Housing, health, and salon licensing rules

AI-generated

(Second New Title) relative to municipal health ordinances and accessory dwelling units and relative to on-premises licenses for licensed barbershops and salons.

Addresses municipal health ordinances and accessory dwelling units and revises on-premises license rules for licensed barbershops and salons.AI-generated

Status

Died — conference committee did not agree · June 2, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Clarifies that municipalities retain authority to enforce local health ordinances related to septic and maintenance when regulating accessory dwelling units. II. Implements an increase which separates the on-premises license for barbershops and salons into two tiers, one which allows for a single sale and one which allows for service without charge, and requires the liquor commission to make an annual report to the legislature regarding the issuance of licenses and the number of violations which occurred.

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

“A municipality that adopts a zoning ordinance pursuant to the authority granted in this chapter shall allow accessory dwelling units in all zoning districts that permit single-family dwellings.”
Section 1
“The commission may issue a license to a business currently licensed through the office of professional licensure and certification, pursuant to RSA 313-A:19, as a salon or barbershop, as defined under RSA 313-A:1, to serve one alcoholic beverage to customers who are receiving services from said establishment.”
Section 2
“One accessory dwelling unit, which may be either attached or detached, shall be allowed as a matter of right.”
Section 1
“The municipality shall allow one accessory dwelling unit without additional requirements for lot size, except as described by this section, setbacks, aesthetic requirements, design review requirements, frontage, space limitations, or other controls beyond what would be required for a single-family dwelling without an accessory dwelling unit.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. David FrachtDPrime
  • Rep. Jim MaggioreDDeputy Ranking Member· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. John MacDonaldRVice Chair· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Karen EbelDDemocratic Leader Pro Tempore
  • Rep. Jaci GroteDDemocratic Advisor

Also: Rep. Rosemarie RungD, Rep. Allan HowlandD, Rep. Nancy MurphyD

Public testimony

139 signed in online · 91 wrote testimony

95% support5% oppose0% neutral

ForProtected shoreland is critical to water quality and needs protection from development

AgainstExisting regulations already sufficient; new restriction is an unnecessary burden

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Thanks for taking the time to read this. I've commented on shoreline issues before. As a lakefront property owner and a wildlife biologist, I put a lot of energy into educating others about the importance of protecting our shoreline from multiple perspectives.…”
— loren valliere, barringtonsupports
“I support this bill as it will allow towns to control the conditions under which ADUs are located on properties within the shorefront buffer.…”
— Bernard Volz, Center Harborsupports
“Thank you for considering this bill. It is a common sense modification that affects a small but critical volume of land from over-development, WITHOUT impacting the primary benefits of ADU's in the state. Our lakes are critical assets of New Hampshire, enjoyed by all.…”
— Jeffrey Miller, Marlboroughsupports
“NH_DES DSS septic requirements already provide enough protections and restrictions for use of our over-taxed homes and properties.…”
— E. J. LaCoursiere, Meredithopposes
“Our bodies of water are precious. They need our help to be protected. Please allow the town to do their part to protect the shore lands. Greedy people will build ADUs without concern for water people as they rent them out as Air BnBs. Our housing shortage is not helped!”
— Patricia O’Connor, New Londonopposes

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 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0951h17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0951hadopted
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0951hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Perkins Kwoka Floor Amendment # 2026-1842sadopted
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1842sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 7, 2026HouseVoice voteHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1842s and Requests CofC (Rep. Alexander Jr.)adopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Innis Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conferenceadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 22, 2026Public hearingHouse Housing4:11:41–4:18:136m 32slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 24, 2026Public hearingHouse HousingWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full stream
  • Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Housing1:38:00–1:39:091m 9slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0951h; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0951h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0951h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 21, 2026Public hearingSenate Commerce1:00:07–1:07:507m 43slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1842s and Requests CofC (Rep. Alexander Jr.) — adopted, voice vote; Speaker Appoints: Reps. Alexander Jr., Hunt, Hicks, Cole
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floor5:37:13–5:40:503m 37slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1842s — adopted, voice vote; Sen. Perkins Kwoka Floor Amendment # 2026-1842s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 14, 2026Floor 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, Perkins Kwoka; (In Recess

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Housing HJ 1 P. 25
  2. Jan 22, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2026 01:30 pm GP 231
  3. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  4. Mar 3, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0951h 03/03/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 10 P. 24
  5. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0951h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 50
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0951h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 50
  7. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 7
  8. Apr 21, 2026SenHearing: 04/21/2026, Room 100, SH, 10:15 am; SC 15
  9. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  10. May 7, 2026SenHB 1540 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  11. May 7, 2026SenSen. Perkins Kwoka Floor Amendment # 2026-1842s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  12. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1842s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  13. May 7, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1842s and Requests CofC (Rep. Alexander Jr.): MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 41
  14. May 7, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Alexander Jr., Hunt, Hicks, Cole 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 41
  15. May 14, 2026SenSen. Innis Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  16. May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Innis, Murphy, Perkins Kwoka; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  17. May 26, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 11:30 am GP 230
  18. May 22, 2026HouseConferee Change: Rep. Presa Replaces Rep. Cole 05/22/2026 HJ 14 P. 34
  19. Jun 2, 2026SenConference Committee Report; Not Signed Off; SJ 14

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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