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HB 1540 · 2026 · House · Housing Committee

Housing, health, and salon licensing rules

AI-generated

(Second New Title) relative to municipal health ordinances and accessory dwelling units and relative to on-premises licenses for licensed barbershops and salons.

Addresses municipal health ordinances and accessory dwelling units and revises on-premises license rules for licensed barbershops and salons.AI-generated

Status

Died — conference committee did not agree · June 2, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill limits the by-right allowance of accessory dwelling units within the protected shoreland and clarifies that municipalities may permit detached units in those areas at their discretion.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. David FrachtDPrime
  • Rep. Jim MaggioreDDeputy Ranking Member· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. John MacDonaldRVice Chair· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Karen EbelDDemocratic Leader Pro Tempore
  • Rep. Jaci GroteDDemocratic Advisor

Also: Rep. Rosemarie RungD, Rep. Allan HowlandD, Rep. Nancy MurphyD

Public testimony

139 signed in online · 91 wrote testimony

95% support5% oppose0% neutral

ForProtected shoreland is critical to water quality and needs protection from development

AgainstExisting regulations already sufficient; new restriction is an unnecessary burden

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Thanks for taking the time to read this. I've commented on shoreline issues before. As a lakefront property owner and a wildlife biologist, I put a lot of energy into educating others about the importance of protecting our shoreline from multiple perspectives.…”
— loren valliere, barringtonsupports
“I support this bill as it will allow towns to control the conditions under which ADUs are located on properties within the shorefront buffer.…”
— Bernard Volz, Center Harborsupports
“Thank you for considering this bill. It is a common sense modification that affects a small but critical volume of land from over-development, WITHOUT impacting the primary benefits of ADU's in the state. Our lakes are critical assets of New Hampshire, enjoyed by all.…”
— Jeffrey Miller, Marlboroughsupports
“NH_DES DSS septic requirements already provide enough protections and restrictions for use of our over-taxed homes and properties.…”
— E. J. LaCoursiere, Meredithopposes
“Our bodies of water are precious. They need our help to be protected. Please allow the town to do their part to protect the shore lands. Greedy people will build ADUs without concern for water people as they rent them out as Air BnBs. Our housing shortage is not helped!”
— Patricia O’Connor, New Londonopposes

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
  • 2026-02-242:00 pmHouse HousingGP 231Public hearing
  • 2026-03-0310:00 amHouse HousingGP 231Public hearing
  • 2026-04-219:30 amSenate CommerceSH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Housing HJ 1 P. 25
  2. Jan 22, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2026 01:30 pm GP 231
  3. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  4. Mar 3, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0951h 03/03/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 10 P. 24
  5. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0951h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 50
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0951h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 50
  7. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 7
  8. Apr 21, 2026SenHearing: 04/21/2026, Room 100, SH, 10:15 am; SC 15
  9. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  10. May 7, 2026SenHB 1540 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  11. May 7, 2026SenSen. Perkins Kwoka Floor Amendment # 2026-1842s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  12. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1842s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  13. May 7, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1842s and Requests CofC (Rep. Alexander Jr.): MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 41
  14. May 7, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Alexander Jr., Hunt, Hicks, Cole 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 41
  15. May 14, 2026SenSen. Innis Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  16. May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Innis, Murphy, Perkins Kwoka; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  17. May 26, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 11:30 am GP 230
  18. May 22, 2026HouseConferee Change: Rep. Presa Replaces Rep. Cole 05/22/2026 HJ 14 P. 34
  19. Jun 2, 2026SenConference Committee Report; Not Signed Off; SJ 14

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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