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HB 1349 · 2026 · House · Housing Committee

Zoning exemption for low-density towns

AI-generated

relative to exemptions from multi-family zoning requirements for small or low-density communities.

Exempts municipalities with fewer than 250 residents per square mile from the statutory requirement to permit multi-family residential 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 exempts municipalities with fewer than 250 residents per square mile from the statutory requirement to permit multi-family residential development on commercially zoned land, regardless of federal rural or urban designations or overlapping area classifications.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. David MeuseDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Jennifer MandelbaumDClerk· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Public testimony

10 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

30% support60% oppose10% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“TESTIMONY OF REP. DAVID MEUSE, PRIME SPONSOR One of the hardest things to do as a legislator also happens to be the hardest thing to do in a marriage—to admit you were wrong. When HB 631 came to the floor last year, I supported it.…”
— David Meuse, Portsmouth · Rock 37supports
“As an alternative to multi-family housing, a local housing authority could be required to provide affordable single-family dwellings”
— Roy Schweiker, Concordopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-229:30 amHouse HousingGP 231Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2026-02-0310:00 amHouse HousingGP 231Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Housing HJ 1 P. 16
  2. Jan 22, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2026 11:30 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. 23

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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