Housing

failed · New Hampshire · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 435: relative to the zoning board of adjustment variance criteria.

SB 435 removes the requirement that property owners must prove an unusual hardship to obtain a zoning variance from a local zoning board. This directly affects homeowners, developers, and businesses seeking to modify land use under current zoning rules, as well as the zoning boards reviewing these requests. The bill repeals two specific sections of state law (RSA 674:33, I(a)(2)(E) and I(b)) that previously mandated hardship assessments for variances. The change simplifies the process by allowing boards to grant variances without evaluating hardship, effective 60 days after passage.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves hardship requirement for zoning variances, simplifying development process and facilitating housing construction without weakening tenant protections.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Zoning

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1674: creating a tax exemption for certain lower-income property owners.

HB 1674 creates a new homestead tax exemption for lower-income homeowners in New Hampshire, directly affecting individuals who own and reside in a single primary residence. To qualify, applicants must have a household income at or below 100% of the median income for a 3-person household in their area (per HUD data), have lived at the property for at least one year prior to April 1, own no more than one property as their primary home, and meet their municipality’s assessed home value limits. Municipalities must hold a vote to adopt the exemption at a town meeting or through their legislative body; it is not automatic. The exemption would take effect on April 1, 2027, and applies only to properties meeting these specific income and residency criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates homestead tax exemption for lower-income homeowners, providing direct tax relief per bill's summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax relief to lower-income homeowners, directly increasing housing affordability for primary residences per income and residency criteria.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes

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in committee · New Hampshire · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1593: relative to nondiscrimination due to disability.

HB 1593 codifies Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 into New Hampshire law, prohibiting disability discrimination in programs receiving state or federal funding. It applies directly to state agencies, schools, healthcare providers, housing services, and other entities that receive public funds, requiring them to ensure accessibility without mandating major structural changes for small providers if alternatives exist. The bill establishes legal remedies including lawsuits, injunctions, and reasonable attorney's fees for successful claims, but excludes compensatory damages. It references the Americans with Disabilities Act standards for employment discrimination and takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires healthcare providers to ensure accessibility without disability discrimination, protecting patient rights and improving access for disabled individuals in healthcare settings.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prohibits disability discrimination in housing services, directly protecting tenants with disabilities from discrimination, a core tenant protection under housing policy.90% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 1327: relative to the definition of commercially-zoned land.

HB 1327 updates the legal definitions of "commercially-zoned land" and "mixed-use" in New Hampshire law. It clarifies that commercially-zoned land refers to areas where commercial use is permitted under local zoning rules, and defines mixed-use development as projects combining residential or other uses within a single building or area approved by a local planning board. These changes directly affect developers seeking approval for projects that blend residential and commercial spaces, requiring planning board review for such developments. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies definitions for mixed-use development, enabling residential components in commercial zones and facilitating housing projects through streamlined local approvals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 9, 2026

HB 1103: allowing municipalities to utilize community revitalization tax relief credits on a wider variety of properties and structures.

HB 1103 expands tax relief credits for municipalities by allowing them to apply community revitalization tax credits to more property types. Specifically, it enables tax credits for converting existing office, commercial, or industrial buildings to residential use, and for new residential construction meeting affordability standards. Properties must be located in designated housing opportunity or residential conversion zones, with tax relief lasting up to 11 years if workforce housing is created. This directly affects property owners and municipalities seeking to incentivize housing development in targeted areas. The bill amends New Hampshire’s tax code to broaden eligibility beyond current standards, effective April 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credits for affordable housing conversions, reducing municipal tax burden and promoting fiscal responsibility through targeted relief for workforce housing.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax credits for converting commercial properties to residential use and new affordable housing, directly increasing housing supply and affordability standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Property Taxes

failed · New Hampshire · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 447: enabling electric utilities to own, operate, and offer advanced nuclear resources, and relative to purchased power agreements for electric distribution utilities and limitations on community customer generators.

SB 447 allows New Hampshire electric utilities to own, operate, and offer advanced nuclear power as part of their energy mix, alongside renewable sources. It increases the annual capacity cap for low-income community solar projects from 6 MW to 18 MW and expands eligibility for group net metering to include public housing authorities. The bill also updates rules for customer generators, permitting members to join multiple group hosts under load limits, and clarifies processes for utilities to issue requests for proposals (RFPs) on long-term energy agreements. These changes aim to diversify energy sources, stabilize costs, and support community solar access while maintaining regulatory coordination with New England states.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAllows nuclear ownership and expands solar capacity, increasing renewable energy infrastructure and access. Aligns with clean energy promotion indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands group net metering to public housing authorities and increases low-income community solar capacity, reducing energy costs for affordable housing residents.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Nuclear Solar

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died · New Hampshire · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1613: directing the department of business and economic affairs to produce a report detailing methods to increase lending practices for housing developments that help persons with disabilities.

HB 1613 directs New Hampshire's Department of Business and Economic Affairs to produce a report by November 1, 2026, on methods to encourage financial institutions to increase lending for housing developments designed for people with disabilities. The report must identify specific incentives like tax credits, loan guarantees, and regulatory strategies, after consulting with at least five lenders (including community banks) and disability advocates. It does not create new laws or provide funding but will recommend legislative changes to support accessible housing development. The bill affects housing developers seeking financing and lenders through potential future policy adjustments based on the report's findings.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingDirects report to increase lending for disability housing developments, advancing affordable housing access for vulnerable groups through financial incentives and stakeholder consultation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · New Hampshire · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 1251: relative to restricting municipal downzoning inconsistent with existing neighborhood density.

This bill prevents municipalities from reducing residential density (downzoning) in ways that conflict with existing neighborhood patterns. It requires local governments to approve building permits for residential construction if a licensed architect certifies the proposed density matches surrounding homes. Property owners must provide this certification, and municipalities must issue permits without discretionary review. The law does not affect building codes, safety regulations, or uniform zoning rules already in place.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables housing development by preventing downzoning and requiring permits for density-matching residential construction, increasing housing supply without discretionary review.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Zoning

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1371: prohibiting application fees for residential rental agreements.

HB 1371 prohibits landlords from charging application fees to individuals applying for residential rental agreements. It requires landlords to accept standard identification (like government-issued ID, taxpayer ID, or social security number) for background checks instead of requiring a social security number or refusing applications without one. The bill applies only to residential rentals, excluding commercial properties. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits application fees and standardizes ID requirements, reducing financial barriers for renters and protecting tenant rights per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · New Hampshire · House May 5, 2026

HB 1295: relative to eligibility requirements for charitable and nonprofit housing projects.

HB 1295 requires nonprofit housing projects seeking property tax exemptions in New Hampshire to meet stricter eligibility criteria. Key provisions include mandating that at least 20% of residents receive services free or at reduced cost based on income, requiring transparent fee policies published online, and prohibiting the use of excess funds for personal benefit. The bill directly affects charitable housing facilities serving elderly (62+) and disabled residents that rely on tax exemptions. These requirements take effect April 1, 2027, and apply to projects operated under state law or federal housing programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill tightens tax exemption eligibility for nonprofit housing to prevent misuse, promoting fiscal responsibility by requiring transparency and income-based services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 20% income-based affordability for tax-exempt housing, ensuring low-income resident focus and transparent fees to advance affordable housing access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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