Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 1010 · 2026 · House · Housing Committee

Multi-family housing on commercial land

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to multi-family residential development on commercially zoned land.

Requires municipalities to allow multi-family dwelling units on commercially zoned land subject to planning board review and revises exceptions for converting structures into multi-family dwellings.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 20, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Requires municipalities to allow multi-family dwelling units on commercially zoned land, subject to the local planning board confirming the infrastructure is adequate. II. Authorizes the local planning board to deny applications to build multi-family dwelling units on commercially zoned land in certain circumstances. III. Removes the ability for municipalities to provide an exception for requirements relative to the conversion of structures into multi-family dwelling units, and replaces such exception to permit the waiver of requirements so long as the converted dwelling unit is not altered to further violate zoning dimensional requirements.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, municipalities shall allow multi-family [residential development] dwelling units, as defined in RSA 674:43, I on commercially zoned land, provided that adequate infrastructure, including roads, water, and sewage systems, shall be available [or provided] to support the development.”
RSA 674:80
“Where infrastructure is not adequate it may be provided by the applicant in accordance with regulations.”
RSA 674:80
“The planning board may deny an application submitted pursuant to paragraph I, if the planning board determines that:”
RSA 674:80
“Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to prohibit municipalities from restricting residential development in zones where industrial and manufacturing uses are permitted which may result in impacts that are incompatible with residential use, such as air, noise, dust, glare, vibration, odor, or transportation impacts.”
RSA 674:80

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Katelyn KuttabRPrimeClerk· Judiciary
  • Rep. Jennifer MandelbaumDClerk· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
  • Rep. Jennifer RhodesRVice Chair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader

Public testimony

52 signed in online · 7 wrote testimony

8% support92% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This bill fixes the grievous previous act permitting multi-family residential development on commercially zoned land is disruptive to municipality's decision-making for the benefit of inhabitants investment and is fraught with potential health and safely impacts.…”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuasupports
“Actually I favor an amended version of the bill, that communities must allow multi-family housing in commercial zones only if they don't have zones for multi-family housing.”
— Roy Schweiker, Concordsupports
“I write in strong support of HB 1010, which repeals the statewide mandate requiring municipalities to permit multi-family residential development on commercially zoned land. This mandate was a fundamental mistake in land-use policy.…”
— David Preece, Manchestersupports
“Please accept this testimony on HB 1010 from the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy, New Hampshire's free-market think tank. A major misconception commonly used in defense of banning residences in commercial zones is that the strict separation increases property values.…”
— Andrew Cline, Bedford · Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policyopposes
“New Hampshire needs more access to housing now. We need to expand the tax base as well as enable the next two generations the opportunity to put down roots and care about New Hampshire.”
— Curtis Register, Durhamopposes
“"HB 1010 endangers vulnerable populations by removing a statewide safeguard against exclusionary zoning without replacing it with equity-based protections.…”
— Georgina Lambert, Belmontopposes

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
  • Feb 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0274h (NT)17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0274hadopted
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0274hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1712s5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 14, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1712s5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-1712sadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateRoll callSen. Perkins Kwoka Floor Amendment # 2026-1907sFailed8–15How they voted
    Overall
    35% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    0–150% yea
    Democrats
    8–0100% yea
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1712sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1712s and Requests CofC (Rep. Alexander Jr.)adopted
    Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Innis Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conferenceadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteConference committee report 2026-2075cadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2185eadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Housing4:56:57–5:01:234m 26slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Housing37:41–42:054m 24slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0274h (NT); Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0274h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0274h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 21, 2026Public hearingSenate Commerce12:14–20:027m 48slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1712s and Requests CofC (Rep. Alexander Jr.) — adopted, voice vote; Speaker Appoints: Reps. Alexander Jr., Cole, Kuttab, Hicks
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floor5:04:00–5:05:221m 22slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1712s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1712s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1712s — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:12:00–1:13:361m 36slocated in the stream transcriptConference Committee Report 2026-2075c: Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2185e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floor3:19:29–3:20:311m 2slocated in the stream transcriptConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2075c; Conference Committee Report # 2026-2075c, Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2185e 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. 2
  2. Jan 13, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/13/2026 01:30 pm GP 231
  3. Feb 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/03/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  4. Feb 3, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0274h (NT) 02/03/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 7 P. 14
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0274h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 21
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0274h: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 21
  7. Feb 19, 2026SenIntroduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 5
  8. Apr 21, 2026SenHearing: 04/21/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:30 am; SC 15
  9. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1712s, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  10. May 7, 2026SenHB 1010 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  11. May 14, 2026SenSpecial Order to 05/14/2026, Without Objection, MA; 05/07/2026 SJ 11
  12. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1712s, 05/14/2026, Vote 5-0; SC 18
  13. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1712s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  14. May 14, 2026SenSen. Perkins Kwoka Floor Amendment # 2026-1907s, RC 8Y-15N, AF; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  15. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1712s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  16. May 14, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1712s and Requests CofC (Rep. Alexander Jr.): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 148
  17. May 14, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Alexander Jr., Cole, Kuttab, Hicks 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 148
  18. May 14, 2026SenSen. Innis Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  19. May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Innis, Murphy, Reardon; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  20. May 26, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  21. May 22, 2026HouseConferee Change: Rep. Presa Replaces Rep. Cole 05/22/2026 HJ 14 P. 34
  22. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2075c; 06/04/2026
  23. Jun 2, 2026HouseRemoved from Consent (Reps. Alexander Jr., Tom Mannion, Dumont, Giasson, Aures, DeVito, Granger, Wherry, Miles, Reinfurt) 06/02/2026 HJ 14
  24. Jun 4, 2026SenHB 1010 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
  25. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-2075c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
  26. Jun 4, 2026HouseConference Committee Report 2026-2075c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  27. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2185e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  28. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2185e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  29. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  30. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  31. Jul 15, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2026; Chapter 319; eff.7/1/2026 12:01 a.m.

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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