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HB 1619 · 2026 · House · Housing Committee

Property owner rights and zoning limits

AI-generated

relative to the rights of property owners and limitations on municipal land use regulation, and repealing the workforce housing program.

Codifies property owners' rights and limits on municipal land use regulation and repeals the workforce housing program.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill affirms, codifies, and attempts to clarify property owners’ rights and municipal limits on regulation. This bill also repeals the workforce housing program.

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

““Property owner” means a person or entity holding legal title to real property in New Hampshire.”
RSA 674-A:2
“Property owners shall have the right to use their property as they see fit, provided such use does not infringe upon the rights of others or violate clearly defined public safety standards set forth in New Hampshire law, including RSA 155-A and other applicable statutes.”
RSA 674-A:3
“The department shall establish a program to make grants and loans for the purpose of improving the ability to accelerate the approval of [affordable workforce housing as defined in RSA 674:58, IV, and other types of] housing determined by the department to be important for the economic development of the state.”
RSA 12-O:70
“The department shall establish a grant program for municipalities to assist them in promoting increased housing production.”
RSA 12-O:72

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Julius SotiRPrime
  • Rep. Tom MannionRAssistant Majority Whip
  • Rep. Kristin NobleRChair· Education Policy and Administration
  • Rep. Jordan UleryRVice Chair· Ways and Means
  • Rep. Jeremy SlottjeRVice Chair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore

Also: Rep. Mark WardenR, Rep. Cyril AuresR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR, Rep. John SellersR, Rep. Yury PolozovR

Public testimony

132 signed in online · 29 wrote testimony

14% support86% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am a New Hampshire property owner writing in support of the Property Owners' Bill of Rights language in HB 1619. Point 1 of this bill captures a common-sense idea: ownership should mean being able to use and enjoy property unless that use causes real harm to others.…”
— Linda Grummer, Meredithsupports
“I William Morrocco support this bill, I believe that I should be able to do what I want with my property and not be subject to unfair or retaliatory taxes/practices from the government.…”
— William Morrocco, Whitefieldsupports
“As a New Hampshire property owner, I support HB-1619. I do however, respectfully request that Points #2 & 3 in the proposed be amended out of the bill or continued for further review and study. Thank you for your consideration. Thomas Glavin”
— Thomas Glavin, Providencesupports
“I am a New Hampshire property owner writing in support of the Property Owners' Bill of Rights language in HB 1619. Point 1 of this bill captures a common-sense idea: ownership should mean being able to use and enjoy property unless that use causes real harm to others.…”
— Elizabeth Landon, Sanborntonopposes
“We need workforce housing The current minimum wage of $7.25 x 40 hours x 52 weeks /12=$1256.67, Where do people live if they only earn $7.25 but they need to have 3.5x the rent amount to qualify to rent? Low income housing won’t even accept them because that income is too low.…”
— Margaret Konze, Pembrokeopposes
“The new section 1 "Property Owners’ Rights." is an obnoxious wild west rodeo of anything goes on a lot, regardless of how it affects neighboring properties valuations and quality of life.…”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

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: Refer for Interim Study17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteRefer for Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Housing3:43:49–3:45:001m 11slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse HousingWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamRefer for Interim Study — adopted, voice vote

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. 28
  2. Feb 3, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/03/2026 01:00 pm GP 231
  3. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  4. Mar 3, 2026House: Refer for Interim Study 03/03/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 10 P. 24
  5. Mar 11, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 51

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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