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SB 175 · 2026 · Senate · Commerce Committee

Municipal private covenant enforcement

AI-generated

relative to the use of covenants by municipalities.

Authorizes municipalities to enforce private covenants while prohibiting municipalities and the state from requiring or encouraging covenants as a condition of zoning or land use approval, with an exception for workforce housing developments.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · January 7, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill grants municipalities the authority to enforce private covenants while prohibiting municipalities and state government from requiring or encouraging covenants as a condition of zoning or land use approval, with exceptions made for workforce housing developments.

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

“These ordinances shall permit municipalities to enforce covenants enacted by past landowners or homeowners’ associations, provided such covenants remain valid under current law.”
RSA 674:78
“Municipalities and state government shall be restricted from requiring or encouraging the establishment of covenants as a condition of any zoning or land use approval.”
RSA 674:79
“Any covenants that are required or encouraged by town officials as a condition of approval shall be considered invalid.”
RSA 674:79

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Keith MurphyRPrimeDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 20, 2025SenateCommittee report: Rereferred to Committee6–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 20, 2025SenateVoice voteRereferred to Committeeadopted
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study6–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Mar 4, 2025Public hearingSenate Commerce1:13:28–1:20:597m 31slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 20, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Rereferred to Committee; Rereferred to Committee — adopted, voice vote
  • Jan 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — 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. Mar 4, 2025SenHearing: 03/04/2025, Room 100, SH, 10:30 am; SC 11
  3. Mar 20, 2025Sen: Rereferred to Committee, 03/20/2025, Vote 6-0, CC SC 13
  4. Mar 20, 2025SenRereferred to Committee, MA, VV; 03/20/2025; SJ 8
  5. Jan 7, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 01/07/2026; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 46
  6. Jan 7, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 01/07/2026; SJ 1

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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