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SB 82 · 2026 · Senate · Commerce Committee

Affordable housing opportunity zones

AI-generated

relative to the housing opportunity project extension and homes for homeland heroes grant program.

Establishes housing opportunity zones with zoning and design requirements and owner-occupancy mandates, provides state grants, and exempts initial property transfers from real estate transfer taxes to incentivize workforce housing.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · January 7, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill incentivizes New Hampshire counties and municipalities to open land for affordable workforce housing by establishing housing opportunity zones, setting zoning and design requirements, mandating owner-occupancy, providing state grants, and exempting initial property transfers from real estate transfer taxes.

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

“Counties or municipalities may establish housing opportunity zones for residential development, including but not limited to:”
RSA 674:59-b
“The state shall provide $20 million in grants for infrastructure development, including but not limited to roads, water, and sewer systems.”
RSA 674:59-c
“The first property transfer from developer to owner shall be exempt from real estate transfer taxes.”
RSA 674:59-d
“Single-family homes may be built on 1/10 acre lots, provided that special zoning exceptions may be required.”
RSA 674:59-b

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Denise RicciardiRPrimeVice Chair· Commerce
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration

Public testimony

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 6, 2025SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Rereferred to Committee6–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025SenateVoice voteRereferred to Committeeadopted
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study6–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 28, 2025Public hearingSenate Commerce20:09–21:441m 35slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Rereferred to Committee; Rereferred to Committee — adopted, voice vote
  • Jan 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — adopted, voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 3
  2. Jan 28, 2025SenHearing: 01/28/2025, Room 100, SH, 09:45 am; SC 7
  3. Mar 6, 2025Sen: Rereferred to Committee, 03/06/2025, Vote 6-0, CC SC 11
  4. Mar 6, 2025SenRereferred to Committee, MA, VV; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
  5. Jan 7, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 01/07/2026; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 46
  6. Jan 7, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 01/07/2026; SJ 1

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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