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HB 1161 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Optional development district advisory boards

AI-generated

removing the requirement for municipalities to have an advisory board for development districts.

Removes the requirement that municipal legislative bodies establish an advisory board for each development district, instead permitting the creation of such boards.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 28, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill removes the requirement that legislative bodies of municipalities establish an advisory board for each development district and instead permits the creation of such boards.

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 legislative body of the municipality [shall] may, in the same manner as the chapter is adopted pursuant to RSA 162-K:1, create an advisory board for each development district that ensures fair representation of business and community interests.”
RSA 162-K:14
“The board shall consist of such number of members appointed or elected as determined by the legislative body.”
RSA 162-K:14
“A majority of members shall be owners or occupants of real property within the community and at least one member shall be an owner or occupant of real property within the development district.”
RSA 162-K:14
“In a substantially residential development district, however, the board shall consist solely of owners or occupants of real property within the community and at least one member shall be an owner or occupant of real property within the development district. 83:2 Effective Date.”
RSA 162-K:14

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Matthew HicksDPrime
  • Rep. Dale GirardRVice Chair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy

Also: Rep. Eleana ColbyD, Rep. David FrachtD

Public testimony

4 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

50% support50% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Advisory boards provide important oversight for development projects; removing them risks reduced accountability and community voice.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Machesteropposes

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 Pass18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 9, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 9, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government26:20–28:262m 6slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 24, 2026Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs3:05–11:178m 12slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 7, 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 Municipal and County Government HJ 1 P. 8
  2. Jan 27, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/27/2026 09:40 am GP 154
  3. Feb 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/03/2026 11:15 am GP 153
  4. Feb 3, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 02/03/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 7 P. 17
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 28
  6. Feb 19, 2026SenIntroduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 5
  7. Mar 24, 2026SenHearing: 03/24/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:15 am; SC 11
  8. Apr 9, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/09/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 13
  9. Apr 9, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
  10. May 7, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12
  11. May 7, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 40
  12. May 22, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/22/2026; Chapter 83; eff. 07/21/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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