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HB 1065 · 2026 · House · Housing Committee

Multi-family housing in commercial zones

AI-generated

relative to multi-family and mixed-use development in commercially zoned areas.

Expands and clarifies requirements for how municipalities must treat multi-family housing and mixed-use development on commercially zoned land.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill expands and clarifies how municipalities must treat multi-family housing and mixed-used development on commercially zoned land.

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

“Municipalities shall allow multi-family [residential development] dwelling units, as defined in RSA 674:43, 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
“In this section, “infrastructure” shall mean all the capital facilities owned or operated by the municipality listed in RSA 674:21, V.”
RSA 674:80
“The existence of adequate infrastructure shall be determined by the planning board, governing body, or building code officer, or a combination of more than one, as determined locally.”
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, odor, or transportation impacts].”
RSA 674:80

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. David PreeceDPrime
  • Rep. Jim MaggioreDDeputy Ranking Member· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Jennifer MandelbaumDClerk· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Public testimony

13 signed in online · 4 wrote testimony

62% support31% oppose8% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I write in strong and unequivocal support of HB 1065, a necessary corrective to current law that restores clarity, predictability, and sound administrative practice where ambiguity has created confusion, inconsistency, and risk for municipalities and the public alike.…”
— David Preece, Manchestersupports
“Commercial land throughout the country is being used for housing. This includes adaptive re-use of underused shopping centers, office buildings, and light industrial buildings as well as conversion of old mills and other historic buildings.…”
— Ken Kost, Keenesupports
“I am writing in support of HB 1065. It attempts to more closely align to the original language of last sessions HB 631. The original language of 631 before amended, called for a project to be serviced by municipal water and municipal sewer.…”
— Wayne Morris, Windhamsupports
“I believe this Bill corrects some issues with 2025's HB 631 which created this top down requirement of mixed uses zones mandate to Municipalities. This Bill appears to clarify some of the confusion for implementing the mandate. I am reluctantly in favor/support.…”
— Bruce Buttrick, Goffstownneutral

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: Inexpedient to Legislate17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 22, 2026Public hearingHouse Housing34:39–38:504m 11slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse HousingWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — 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. 4
  2. Jan 22, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  3. Feb 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/03/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  4. Feb 3, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/03/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 7 P. 14
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 22

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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