HB 1652 · 2026 · House · Housing Committee
Expedited permitting for home improvements
AI-generatedrelative to expedited permitting and third-party inspections for residential and minor home improvements.
Clarifies procedures for third-party building inspections and approvals, defines 'minor home improvement,' sets insurance limits for approved agencies, and allows expedited software-based review for minor projects.AI-generated
Status
Referred to interim study (House) · March 5, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill: I. Clarifies procedures and requirements for third-party building inspections and approvals. II. Defines "minor home improvement." III. Sets new insurance limits for approved agencies. IV. Allows expedited review using software for minor projects.
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
““Minor home improvement” means the construction, reconstruction, alteration, renovation, repair, modernization, conversion, improvement, removal, or demolition of any residential structure or accessory building of a residential structure where the total value of the home improvement construction is equal to or less than $100,000.”
“An approved agency may review construction documents or provide inspections only if the approved agency maintains insurance for professional liability covering all services performed as an independent provider, unless such regulatory authority waives such requirement.”
“The approved agency shall examine the construction documents, including deferred or amended documents described in this act.”
“If no written notice of deficiencies is provided within the prescribed period, the document or permit shall be deemed approved as a matter of law, and any necessary permit or permits shall be issued by the building official on the next business day.”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
Public testimony
12 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony
58% support42% oppose0% neutral
In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“I oppose HB 1652 as proposed. This proposal is finding a "half baked" solution of a non-existent problem........ Minor Home Improvement definition is flawed. Should be based on the activity/scope of the “improvement” not a monetary value and who is assigning the $ value?…”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Votes
yeanay- Feb 17, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Refer for Interim Study12–0Overall100% yea
- Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteRefer for Interim Studyadopted
Hearings and debates
- Feb 17, 2026Public hearingHouse HousingWatchno transcript for this stream — opens at the startCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study; Public Hearing; Executive Session
- Mar 5, 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
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Housing HJ 1 P. 30
- Feb 17, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/17/2026 02:00 pm GP 231
- Feb 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/17/2026 02:00 pm GP 231
- Feb 17, 2026House: Refer for Interim Study 02/17/2026 (Vote 12-0; CC) HC 9 P. 17
- Mar 5, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 20
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.