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HB 1112 · 2026 · House · Housing Committee

Snow removal responsibility in leases

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to snow removal responsibilities in lease agreements.

Establishes responsibility for the removal of snow and ice in certain tenancy scenarios as specified in lease agreements.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill, with respect to tenancies, establishes the responsibility for the removal of snow and ice in certain scenarios.

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

“The landlord and tenant may agree that either the landlord or the tenant, or any combination thereof, shall be responsible for performing snow and ice removal from, and maintaining safe access to, specific areas of the rental property.”
RSA 540:28-a
“Unless otherwise agreed, the responsibility shall rest with the landlord of restricted property for clearing snow and ice from, and maintaining safe access to, on-site common areas used by tenants of more than one rental unit, including but not limited to, driveways, walkways, stairs and entryways.”
RSA 540:28-a
“Unless otherwise agreed, the responsibility for clearing snow and ice from, and maintaining safe access to, private areas, including but not limited to, walkways, stairs, and entryways intended for exclusive use of one rental unit, shall rest with the tenants who have such exclusive use.”
RSA 540:28-a
“Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter snow and ice removal responsibilities for areas owned, maintained, or governed by a condominium association, cooperative, homeowners’ association, manufactured housing park, or similar entity in which there is a mixture of private and common ownership, and pursuant to recorded instruments, bylaws, park rules, or other governing documents. 213:2 Applicability.”
RSA 540:28-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Lily FossDPrime

Rep. Karen HegnerD, Rep. Jared SullivanD, Rep. Wendy ThomasD, Rep. Alice WadeD

Public testimony

14 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

64% support36% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Clear and fair snow removal standards protect tenant safety and prevent disputes while ensuring habitable living conditions during New Hampshire winters.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Machestersupports
“In the state of NH, I am a landlord for my own rental property, a tenant of another property, and have working in the housing industry for over a decade. I am in support of this bill.…”
— Ivy Pearson, Bethlehemsupports
“I will support this if you Amend it. ~ Liability is undefined ~Conflict in opposing sections could invalidate the lease ~Unnecessary lease language requirements which could be used to challenge the lease ~There should be no default responsibility.…”
— Kathleen Lord, NORTHWOODsupports

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: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0964h (NT)17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0964hadopted
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0964hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–1
    Overall
    80% yea
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse HousingWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamPublic Hearing
  • Feb 20, 2026Public hearingHouse HousingWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Housing19:11–20:211m 10slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0964h (NT); Subcommittee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0964h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0964h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 21, 2026Public hearingSenate Commerce1:44:57–1:49:144m 17slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled 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. 6
  2. Jan 27, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/27/2026 09:00 am GP 231
  3. Feb 20, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/20/2026 09:30 am GP 159
  4. Mar 3, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 03/03/2026 09:35 am GP 231
  5. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  6. Mar 3, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0964h (NT) 03/03/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 10 P. 23
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0964h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 48
  8. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0964h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 48
  9. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 7
  10. Apr 21, 2026SenHearing: 04/21/2026, Room 100, SH, 10:45 am; SC 15
  11. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/07/2026; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 17
  12. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  13. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  14. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  15. Jul 2, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/02/2026; Chapter 213; eff. 7/1/2027

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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