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SB 509 · 2026 · Senate · Commerce Committee

Dead-end road length restrictions barred

AI-generated

preventing municipalities from limiting dead-end road length if compliant with the state fire code.

Prohibits municipalities from imposing length restrictions on dead-end roads or cul-de-sacs in subdivision approvals or building permits when the design complies with the state fire code.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 6, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits municipalities from imposing length restrictions on dead-end roads or cul-de-sacs in subdivision approvals or building permits when the proposed road design complies with applicable state fire code requirements.

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

“Subdivision regulations adopted pursuant to this section shall not prohibit or restrict the length of a dead-end road, including cul-de-sacs, if the proposed road design and fire access are certified as compliant with the state fire code as defined in RSA 153:1, VI-a.”
Section 1
“No municipality or local board shall deny a building permit or otherwise restrict development based solely on the length of a dead-end road, provided the road is constructed and maintained in accordance with the requirements of the state fire code as defined in RSA 153:1, VI-a.”
Section 2

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Keith MurphyRPrimeDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader

Also: Sen. David WattersD, Sen. Tim McGoughR

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 12, 2026SenateCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate6–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026SenateVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingSenate Commerce2:35:33–2:39:233m 50slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Inexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 1
  2. Jan 27, 2026SenHearing: 01/27/2026, Room 100, SH, 10:30 am; SC 1
  3. Mar 12, 2026Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate, 03/12/2026, Vote 6-0, CC; SC 9
  4. Mar 12, 2026SenInexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 03/12/2026; SJ 6

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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