Committee Summary for House Committee on Housing (02/10/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1613 Amendment to study committee 00:20:21.600 - 8:14:42 AM	Public Hearing	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.	Read, Ellen(D)[D]2025
HB1021 00:38:56.720 - 8:33:17 AM	Public Hearing	amending the date to provide written notice to a municipality of a taxpayer's election to be assessed under the low-income housing tax credit program.	Walker, David(R)[B+]2025
HB1050 01:36:23.360 - 9:30:44 AM	Public Hearing	establishing the right to provide educational instruction in municipally zoned and non-zoned areas.	Alexander, Joe(R)[A+]2025
HB1050 02:06:13.920 - 10:00:34 AM	General Working Session	establishing the right to provide educational instruction in municipally zoned and non-zoned areas.	Alexander, Joe(R)[A+]2025
HB1218 02:07:53.679 - 10:02:14 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the disclosure of rights and responsibilities during the sale of a mobile home in a mobile home park.	Rung, Rosemarie(D)[CT]2025
HB1764 04:06:34.960 - 12:00:55 PM	Public Hearing	establishing community workforce housing targets, special assessment provisions, and a revolving loan fund for workforce housing development.	de Vries, Erica(D)[CT]2025
HB1432 04:39:23.119 - 12:33:44 PM	Public Hearing	relative to electric utility rate classification and cost allocation for condominium associations.	Manos, Zoe(D)[CT]2025
HB517 05:06:22.160 - 1:00:43 PM	Public Hearing	(New Title) repealing certain outreach and marketing requirements under the Granite State paid family leave plan.	Turcotte, Len(R)[B]2025
HB1517 05:10:31.440 - 1:04:52 PM	Public Hearing	relative to certain residential property interests controlled by certain entities.	Lascelles, Richard(R)[B+]2025
HB1295 06:04:50.000 - 1:59:11 PM	Public Hearing	relative to eligibility requirements for charitable and nonprofit housing projects.	Dunn, Ron(R)[A]2025

HB1613 Amendment to study committee: Representative Kerwin (introducing for Representative Reid) Information Only00:20:21.600 - 8:14:42 AM; Representative Kerwin introduces HB 1613 on behalf of Representative Reid, requested by the disability advocacy community. The bill originally asked for an economic report on barriers to financing accessible housing, as a prior report was not delivered. Due to a high fiscal note, an amendment proposes turning it into a study committee to develop actionable solutions, building on a previous study from HB 1168 that identified barriers but offered no solutions. Defers questions to disability advocates.
HB1613 Amendment to study committee: Kristen Evans, Director of Policy, ABLE New Hampshire Support00:22:11.120 - 8:16:32 AM; Kristen Evans testifies in support of HB 1613 as amended. She highlights New Hampshire's housing crisis, which is particularly acute for people with disabilities due to the lack of affordable, accessible, community-integrated housing options, especially for those on fixed incomes like SSI or SSDI. The amendment aligns with lived realities by focusing on non-ownership models and avoiding segregated congregate settings. Building on HB 1168's identification of problems, the proposed study commission would address funding coordination across housing, health, and community systems, combine federal/state/local funds, ensure long-term affordability, remove policy barriers, and prioritize community-based housing consistent with disability rights law and preferences of people with disabilities. This provides an opportunity for collaboration and effective policy.
HB1021: Representative David Walker Information Only00:38:56.720 - 8:33:17 AM; Representative Walker introduces HB 1021, which changes the application date for the low-income housing tax credit program from October 1 to April 15 to align with other tax credits and exemptions, reducing confusion and missed applications, especially for part-time assessors in northern counties who process in April. Properties under construction as of April 1 are ineligible, as this cutoff applies to all exemptions, with effects in the following tax year. The change provides convenience without harming filings.
HB1021: Brody Ducha, New Hampshire Municipal Association Support00:41:58.640 - 8:36:19 AM; Brody Ducha supports HB 1021, requested by the Association of Assessors. The bill updates the reporting date for electing alternative assessment for multifamily residential properties under a housing subsidy covenant from October 1 to April 15, aligning with the tax year cycle. It allows earlier notice but prohibits eligibility if under construction as of April 1, since such properties are assessed differently until completion and occupancy. This gives property owners more time, eases assessor administration, and standardizes with other exemptions. The original October 1 date's reason is unknown but may be an oversight; this is the only such outlier, though further review is welcome.
HB1050: Representative Joe Alexander, Goffstown Support01:36:23.360 - 9:30:44 AM; Representative Alexander introduced HB 1050, explaining it addresses local zoning issues faced by parents using Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) to create learning pods in residential areas. He shared a constituent's experience in Goffstown where municipal zoning created barriers. The bill prohibits municipalities from using zoning to restrict educational instruction in any zoned or non-zoned area, while allowing regulations on parking, noise, etc. He emphasized preventing segregation of education by zone and supported flexibility for small-scale operations like learning pods.
HB1050: Representative Kerwin Information Only01:38:12.000 - 9:32:33 AM; Representative Kerwin questioned the intended scale of educational instruction under the bill, distinguishing between small parent-led learning pods and larger tuition-based schools. Alexander clarified that the bill removes zoning barriers but allows standard approvals for traffic, sewer, etc., without size limits, relying on existing municipal powers.
HB1050: Representative Aaron Information Only01:42:00.320 - 9:36:21 AM; Representative Aaron asked if 'learning pod' is defined in statute. Alexander pointed to line five of the bill.
HB1050: Representative Hicks Information Only01:42:00.320 - 9:36:21 AM; Representative Hicks asked if Alexander would be amendable to aligning the bill with home child care limits to prevent larger schools. Alexander expressed openness to amendments for broader support but preferred the bill as is.
HB1050: Representative Howland Information Only01:42:00.320 - 9:36:21 AM; Representative Howland sought clarification on permitting learning pods in residential zones. Alexander confirmed it allows education generally in any zone.
HB1050: Representative Buller Support01:42:57.760 - 9:37:18 AM; Representative Buller supported the bill, noting similarities to their home-based business bill. They raised concerns about municipalities creatively blocking pods via parking requirements and suggested a safe harbor for small-scale pods like home child care, with larger ones following normal processes. Alexander agreed.
HB1050: Unnamed Representative (likely from Keene) Information Only01:43:49.920 - 9:38:10 AM; The representative asked if the bill allows municipalities to require traffic studies or deny based on neighborhood impact. Alexander affirmed room for such regulations but noted learning pods are typically small (under 50 kids) and unlikely to cause major issues.
HB1050: Representative Miles Information Only01:45:34.159 - 9:39:55 AM; Representative Miles confirmed understanding that learning pods typically involve 4-8 kids. Alexander agreed, noting up to 25-30 in Goffstown's EFA community.
HB1050: Drew Klein, Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy Support01:46:32.560 - 9:40:53 AM; Drew Klein supported the bill, citing research showing zoning blocks homeschool socialization groups predating EFAs. He suggested a friendly amendment to broadly allow 'educational instruction' by right in all areas, avoiding definitional issues between learning pods and micro-schools. He argued this aligns with NH Constitution Article 83, which encourages private associations for education. He recommended separating education from behavioral restrictions like traffic.
HB1050: Brody Ducha, New Hampshire Municipal Association Oppose01:58:48.560 - 9:53:09 AM; Brody Ducha opposed HB 1050, arguing it's unnecessary as municipalities cannot currently zone small, infrequent learning pods, similar to not regulating Super Bowl parties. The bill's broad language could exempt commercial educational uses (e.g., tutoring, camps) from zoning, preempting local authority. He noted 'learning pod' lacks statutory definition but is small (5-10 kids) per NH DOE. He questioned if it solves a real problem and suggested conditional use permits or aligning with child care zoning instead.
HB1050: Committee Chair Information Only02:06:13.920 - 10:00:34 AM; The chair asked if the committee needs a work session for HB 1050 or if members can informally draft an amendment. The committee agreed to handle via amendment without a subcommittee, aiming for executive session on the 3rd.
HB1218: Representative Rosemary Rung, Marlow Support02:07:53.679 - 10:02:14 AM; Representative Rung introduced HB 1218 to add transparency, fairness, and predictability to manufactured home sales. It requires park owners to provide specific repair criteria, respond to inquiries within 2 business days, and reduce fees for unjustified buyer rejections. It allows buyers to handle repairs post-sale via agreement within 60 days, similar to other real estate. She emphasized the park owner's veto power creates delays, and the bill maintains their authority while setting clear expectations.
HB1218: Representative Buller Information Only02:12:23.599 - 10:06:44 AM; Representative Buller raised concerns about potential abuse of the fee reduction penalty via 'poison pill' offers and requiring licensed agents. Rung noted realtor licensing prevents unethical practices and the bill allows non-realtor sales, but park notification is required. Buller also worried about buyer repair disputes pre-sale; Rung clarified repairs occur post-sale within 60 days via specific agreements.
HB1218: Unnamed Representative Oppose02:16:18.079 - 10:10:39 AM; The representative questioned what problem the bill solves, arguing negotiations can already handle repairs and it adds red tape, potentially reducing fees repeatedly. Rung explained the unique park owner veto power causes opacity and delays, unlike standard sales, and clear standards facilitate processes.
HB1218: Greg Winer, Marlow (representing Nashua park experience) Support02:20:24.000 - 10:14:45 AM; Greg Winer shared his experience selling his late mother's mobile home in Rogers Park, Nashua. The park demanded vague repairs (e.g., all rotting boards) and shed removal, rejecting three qualified buyers without explanation (cash offer, $10M aunt/niece). This caused delays, ongoing fees ($510/month), and $50K loss in sale price. He supported the bill for incentives (75% fee reduction), repair flexibility post-sale, clear criteria, and better communication to ease affordable housing access.
HB1218: Abby Bronson, New Hampshire Community Loan Fund Oppose02:29:09.680 - 10:23:30 AM; Abby Bronson opposed HB 1218 as written, noting it burdens resident-owned cooperatives (ROCs) run by volunteer boards under RSA 205-A. The 2-day response time conflicts with existing 10-14 day timelines for ROC transparency rules. ROCs already provide clear guidelines and approve via board vote if criteria (credit/background) are met. She supported transparency but sought balanced incentives without overburdening ROCs.
HB1218: Kathy Snider, Monument Realty, Hollis Support02:42:30.160 - 10:36:51 AM; Kathy Snider, a broker with extensive co-op and park experience, supported the bill based on listing Winer's home. Rogers Park provided no buyer criteria, rejected solid offers without reason, demanded excessive docs, and caused delays costing $35K+ in price drop. She contrasted efficient ROCs (e.g., Camp Sargent Road) with challenging single-owner parks, advocating upfront qualification info to avoid wasted efforts and ensure fairness.
HB1764: Representative Erica Dere Support04:06:34.960 - 12:00:55 PM; Representative Dere introduced HB 1764, emphasizing New Hampshire's housing crisis with low vacancy rates, rising rents leading to increased homelessness, and challenges for young people and businesses due to housing shortages. She drew an analogy from the Catholic Church's principle of subsidiarity, where local parishes clustered to address priest shortages through community-led plans, applying this to encourage local solutions for statewide housing needs. The bill sets housing targets for municipalities, provides financial incentives for meeting goals and penalties (special property assessments on high-value properties) for underperformance starting in 2028, creates a revolving loan fund for infrastructure and financing gaps, and empowers local control within state guardrails. She addressed committee questions on timelines, rural challenges, target-setting input, verification, impacts on property taxes, and exemptions, expressing openness to amendments for appeals, extended timelines, and municipal involvement.
HB1764: David Bates, Warner Support04:34:57.359 - 12:29:18 PM; David Bates, from Warner, shared his experience advocating for zoning changes via petition warrant articles and serving on the planning board during the HOP grant program to update the master plan. He noted the contentious nature of local debates on housing identity but praised the smoother implementation of HB 631 allowing residential construction in commercial zones, which leveraged local knowledge. He supported HB 1764 for setting statewide goals to solve the collective action problem, ensuring all towns contribute meaningfully, especially small ones like Warner that can't impact housing prices alone. Bates highlighted the injustice of the current housing crisis, sharing a personal story of a friend struggling as a single mother due to lack of options, urging prioritization of residents' needs over local or taxpayer concerns.
HB1432: Representative Zoe Manos, Stratham Support04:39:23.119 - 12:33:44 PM; Representative Manos introduced HB 1432, requested by Stratham constituents, to address shared electric meters for well and septic pumps in residential condos. Some units have individual meters plus shared ones billed to the homeowners association at commercial rates, which cannot be passed solely to sharing owners per RSA 356B, shifting costs to all. The bill allows utilities to charge residential rates for these shared meters and permits associations to allocate costs only to benefiting units, limited to residential condos and well/septic usage, excluding common areas. She noted collaboration with Eversource and Unitil, who support it.
HB1432: Gary D'Addario, Chair, NH Legislative Action Committee, Community Associations Institute Support04:43:55.120 - 12:38:16 PM; Gary D'Addario supported HB 1432, noting prior support and addressing past opposition viewing condos as commercial. He clarified the bill applies only to residential-use condos, akin to multifamily homes sharing expenses, not operating as businesses. Condos are often incorporated for legal reasons but function residentially, similar to trusts in other states, warranting residential rates for shared well/septic services.
HB1432: Alec Omira, Director of External Affairs, Unitil Information Only04:47:33.760 - 12:41:54 PM; Alec Omira provided background on Unitil's tariff classifying shared septic/well services for condos as general (commercial) rates due to billing to associations, confirmed correct by PUC. Unitil's recent rate case filing (DE 25-025) proposes adding a specific domestic (residential) rate provision for such non-commercial residential condos, expected to resolve the issue without controversy, rendering the bill potentially moot for their customers. He confirmed no conflict if the bill passes.
HB1432: Meg Stone, Legislative Liaison, NH Department of Energy Information Only04:52:25.840 - 12:46:46 PM; Meg Stone stated the Department of Energy is neutral on HB 1432. She explained shared well/septic services for multiple owners are classified as commercial regardless of nonprofit status, as associations register as businesses. Concerns include no verification mechanism for bill compliance (e.g., no commercial use), potentially shifting costs between customer classes, and utilities not verifying usage. Non-legislative fixes include renaming accounts to residents or awaiting Unitil's rate case outcome at PUC. She noted questions on home-based businesses affecting classification would be followed up.
HB1432: Will Infantine, Manchester, NH Support04:59:44.160 - 12:54:05 PM; Will Infantine supports HB 1432, drawing from his experience owning condominiums and serving on boards. He views the bill as a good start to address issues in condominium electric metering, particularly distinguishing between residential, commercial, and mixed-use condos. He appreciates Unitil's involvement in resolving the issue and emphasizes the concept of fairness in electric usage billing. He notes that the original 1984 Condominium Act likely did not anticipate modern shared electric setups like those at guard posts. He believes rural electric cooperatives are aware of metering situations and not overly burdened by the bill.
HB517: Representative Rich Lales, Litchfield, NH Support05:06:22.160 - 1:00:43 PM; Representative Rich Lales introduces HB 517 FN, sharing a personal story of converting his garage into an ADU for his daughter, who was struggling with high rent in Manchester. He highlights the benefits of ADUs in addressing housing affordability. He explains the bill's intent to protect freedom of religion while preventing religious entities from using zoning laws to create exclusive enclaves, noting that 12-14 other states have similar measures. He stresses that U.S. laws are rooted in Judeo-Christian principles but do not take religious texts literally, aiming for the best outcomes for the country.
HB1517: Unidentified Speaker Support05:10:31.440 - 1:04:52 PM; The speaker explains that the bill aims to prevent religious enclaves from subverting state, federal, and local laws by establishing their own religious beliefs as governing rules. They highlight lines 23-26 in the bill, which prohibit disputes from being brought before tribunals other than courts established under state or U.S. laws, emphasizing that this applies to any religious entity regardless of specific religion. The core intent is to ensure disputes are handled within the established legal system, dismissing other parts as minutia.
HB1517: Representative Bullier Information Only05:11:25.840 - 1:05:46 PM; Representative Bullier questions whether the bill's prohibition on tribunals includes arbitration clauses in contracts, seeking clarification on the intent.
HB1517: Unidentified Speaker (response) Information Only05:12:37.280 - 1:06:58 PM; The speaker clarifies that the bill does not intend to prohibit arbitration, as it is allowed under state law, but targets religious tribunals or non-government sanctioned entities in zoning districts.
HB1517: Representative Ron Dunn, Londonderry, NH Support05:36:05.200 - 1:30:26 PM; Representative Dunn introduces HB 1295, which closes a loophole allowing nonprofits to avoid full property taxes, shifting the burden to other taxpayers. He notes the financial impacts on towns and introduces his subject matter expert to explain further.
HB1517: Kate Burbage, Londonderry, NH Support05:36:50.000 - 1:31:11 PM; Kate Burbage, vice chair of Londonderry's budget committee, details issues with the Baldwin elderly housing community's partial tax exemption under current RSA 72:23-k and 72:23-l. She argues that while the Baldwin meets minimal criteria, it serves high-income retirees (requiring $618,000 entrance fee and $94,000 annual income, far above NH retiree average of $26,000) who rarely need financial aid, yet receives a $559,000 tax break, increasing other households' taxes by $43 annually. She highlights zero charitable donations until recently ($2,500 in 2024), high CEO compensation ($829,000 including $177,000 bonus), and strain on emergency services (111 dispatches in FY2026). Burbage compares to other towns like Durham, Manchester, Exeter, and Laconia with similar gaps, references legal precedents, and draws from Pennsylvania's law to propose stricter criteria for exemptions, such as demonstrating charitable efforts. She suggests allowing pilot agreements but giving municipalities leverage, and addresses committee concerns on quantifying 'bona fide effort' to serve low-income residents, proposing alternatives like 20% subsidies or equating contributions to tax liability.
HB1517: Representative (unidentified, on bill criteria) Information Only05:45:14.638 - 1:39:35 PM; The representative questions the vagueness of requiring a 'bona fide effort' to serve those unable to afford usual fees, suggesting it be removed due to quantification issues, and expresses shock at the CEO's compensation.
HB1517: Kate Burbage (response) Information Only05:47:14.480 - 1:41:35 PM; Burbage agrees the phrase is undefined and could be stricken, noting Pennsylvania's law specifies 20% low/no-fee services; she aimed for minimal changes to avoid a lengthy bill.
HB1517: Representative (follow-up) Information Only05:48:08.240 - 1:42:29 PM; The representative notes the 'bona fide attempt' is redundant if defined, seeking confirmation on intent to require subsidization, and suggests equating contributions to tax liability.
HB1517: Kate Burbage (further response) Information Only05:49:08.400 - 1:43:29 PM; Burbage confirms intent to ensure financial subsidization or community contributions, citing examples like Riverwoods' scholarships; suggests striking ambiguous language and adding provisions for pilot agreements and enforcement by municipalities.
HB1517: Representative (on protections) Information Only05:50:10.718 - 1:44:31 PM; The representative asks about protections if residents run out of money, noting facilities might claim financial infeasibility due to high CEO pay.
HB1517: Kate Burbage (response on protections) Information Only05:51:07.040 - 1:45:28 PM; Burbage notes facilities must reapply annually for exemptions, preventing grandfathering, and addresses concerns about financial feasibility claims.
HB1517: Representative Aaron Information Only05:52:04.718 - 1:46:25 PM; Representative Aaron confirms annual reapplication for exemptions ensures no grandfathering.
HB1517: Lisa Henderson, LeadingAge Maine and New Hampshire Oppose05:52:35.280 - 1:46:56 PM; Lisa Henderson represents nonprofit aging services providers, including CCRCs like the Baldwin. She corrects that the Baldwin's pilot is for 10 years, not annual, and notes all members have pilot arrangements with towns, preserving local control. She explains CCRCs as prepaid long-term care insurance models regulated by the NH Insurance Department (RSA 420-D), promising lifetime care from independent living to nursing without Medicaid reliance, using entrance fees and actuarial tables for solvency. Henderson argues the bill upends this model by requiring care without regard to ability to pay, which no business can sustain, and notes CCRCs were designed to avoid Medicaid burden. She emphasizes nonprofits must be community stewards but grants take time for new facilities like the Baldwin (opened 2023); suggests town-level engagement over statutory overhaul. She commits to providing data on community contributions and clarifies charitable definition under RSA 72:23:1 focuses on public welfare, not direct tax offsets.
HB1517: Representative (question on contributions) Information Only05:58:52.718 - 1:53:13 PM; The representative requests data on how CCRCs offset tax breaks through community contributions, noting increased burdens on other taxpayers and emergency services in places like Goffstown.
HB1517: Lisa Henderson (response on data) Information Only05:59:50.480 - 1:54:11 PM; Henderson agrees to provide financial benefit outlines from members, but notes statutory charitable definition does not require precise tax revenue offsets.
HB1517: Representative Newell Information Only06:01:47.360 - 1:56:08 PM; Representative Newell clarifies that requiring Medicaid acceptance would self-select non-Medicaid residents, not add state burden, and questions historical prohibitions.
HB1517: Lisa Henderson (response on Medicaid) Information Only06:02:42.798 - 1:57:03 PM; Henderson explains CCRCs were prohibited from Medicaid to avoid state burden, self-selecting affluent residents; the model relies on entrance fees, not Medicaid viability.
HB1517: Representative (on resident protections) Information Only06:03:46.080 - 1:58:07 PM; The representative asks if CCRCs have policies to care for residents who outlive resources without eviction.
HB1517: Lisa Henderson (response on protections) Information Only06:04:40.798 - 1:59:01 PM; Henderson states most CCRCs have benevolence funds for residents outliving resources, with no known evictions in NH for this reason; she offers to confirm statutory requirements.
HB1295: Sean Faber, Vice Chair of Londonderry Town Council Oppose06:04:50.000 - 1:59:11 PM; Sean Faber testified against HB1295, highlighting how certain nonprofit organizations, like those providing housing, exploit tax exemptions on high-value properties, depriving towns like Londonderry of tax revenue. He noted resident complaints and other similar cases statewide, advocating for narrow legislative reform to shift the exemption line slightly for common sense balance. Faber emphasized the burden on local taxpayers, especially in areas with density issues, and argued that local control is limited as bureaucrats sign PILOT agreements. He framed the issue as crony capitalism for Republicans and unfair share for Democrats, acknowledging the facilities' benefits but insisting they are not struggling and reform is needed to fund community services.
HB1295: Tom Blonsky, President and CEO of Catholic Charities New Hampshire Oppose06:08:22.878 - 2:02:43 PM; Tom Blonsky opposed HB1295, stating it would impose additional financial burdens on Catholic Charities' seven rehabilitation and nursing facilities, which serve vulnerable populations and contribute $24.2 million in free or reduced services annually. With already thin margins (negative $175,000 net operating income) and daily losses of $75-100 per Medicaid resident (45-80% of census), the bill's requirement for 20% free care to qualify for exemptions would force facility closures, displacing 500 residents and 800-900 workers. He detailed their operations, including affordable housing to offset losses, and urged state support amid Medicaid/Medicare cuts rather than policies that hinder their work. During questioning, Blonsky clarified their practices align with open enrollment and Medicaid acceptance but not free care in housing, and suggested amendments considering their negative margins and operational model.