Committee Summary for Senate Commerce (01/28/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB81 00:03:53.680 - 8:32:14 AM	Public Hearing	increasing the annual real estate transfer tax revenue contribution and making an appropriation to the affordable housing fund.	Innis, Daniel(R)[C+]2024
SB82 00:20:23.640 - 8:48:44 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the housing opportunity project extension and homes for homeland heroes grant program.	Ricciardi, Denise(R)[C-]2024
SB78 00:38:40.560 - 9:07:01 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the zoning board of adjustments appeal period.	Murphy, Keith(R)[B+]2024
SB84 00:50:41.559 - 9:19:02 AM	Public Hearing	relative to zoning procedures concerning residential housing.	Murphy, Keith(R)[B+]2024
SB91 01:34:28.080 - 10:02:49 AM	Public Hearing	allowing one-time special appraisals of residences located in commercial zones.	Murphy, Keith(R)[B+]2024
SB24 01:56:25.159 - 10:24:46 AM	Executive Session	allowing students under age 21 to taste wine in educational settings.	Innis, Daniel(R)[C+]2024
SB50 01:58:01.119 - 10:26:22 AM	Executive Session	establishing a committee to study the regulation of private animal boarding facilities.	Ward, Ruth(R)[C+]2024
SB52 02:01:57.679 - 10:30:18 AM	Executive Session	relative to default provisions in New Hampshire trusts.	Innis, Daniel(R)[C+]2024
SB67 02:03:30.000 - 10:31:51 AM	Executive Session	relative to workers' compensation and resolution of payment disputes.	McGough, Tim(R)
SB55 02:04:16.199 - 10:32:37 AM	Executive Session	providing temporary exemptions from the land use change tax for qualifying housing projects.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024

SB81: Senator Enis Support00:03:53.680 - 8:32:14 AM; Senator Enis introduced Senate Bill 81, aimed at addressing the affordable housing crisis in New Hampshire. The bill proposes increasing the allocation from the real estate transfer tax to the affordable housing fund from $5 million to $10 million annually, along with an additional one-time appropriation of $25 million. He highlighted the severity of the housing crisis, noting the median home price has risen above $500,000 and median gross rent exceeds $1,800 in some counties. He emphasized the necessity of this bill to support businesses and communities, stating that the state needs about 60,000 additional homes. He also mentioned that the real estate transfer tax revenue is holding steady due to increased property values despite lower sales volumes.
SB81: Nate Grace, Business and Industry Association Support00:07:37.879 - 8:35:58 AM; Nate Grace from the Business and Industry Association supported Senate Bill 81, emphasizing that affordable housing is the number one issue for Business Leaders and a significant constraint on business expansion. He noted that the affordable housing fund effectively targets lower-income demographics critical for workforce attraction and retention.
SB81: Chris Norwood, New Hampshire Association of Realtors Support00:09:09.920 - 8:37:30 AM; Chris Norwood, representing the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, supported Senate Bill 81. He highlighted the urgent need for the funds to complement developer efforts, noting that the absence of federal stimulus funds makes these state resources crucial. He also mentioned the stability of the real estate transfer tax revenue and the importance of maintaining the current tax rate.
SB81: Rob Dapas, New Hampshire Housing Support00:10:41.040 - 8:39:02 AM; Rob Dapas, executive director of New Hampshire Housing, supported Senate Bill 81, providing detailed information about the organization and the affordable housing fund. He explained the fund's role as a revolving loan fund that leverages federal and private investments, supporting the creation of workforce, affordable, and supportive housing. He highlighted the fund's impact on job creation, neighborhood improvement, and health outcomes, and detailed how the fund is allocated through federal tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, and supportive housing programs.
SB81: Nick Taylor, Housing Action New Hampshire Support00:15:43.759 - 8:44:04 AM; Nick Taylor from Housing Action New Hampshire supported Senate Bill 81, emphasizing its importance as a top priority for addressing the housing crisis. He noted the state's low rental vacancy rate and high median rents, underscoring the need for state investment to leverage private dollars for housing projects. He praised the bill for providing predictability for developers.
SB81: Rebecca Sky, New Hampshire State Commission on Aging Support00:16:55.600 - 8:45:16 AM; Rebecca Sky, representing the New Hampshire State Commission on Aging, supported Senate Bill 81, focusing on its impact on older adults. She highlighted the challenges faced by older adults on fixed incomes and the limited availability of age-ready housing. She also mentioned the importance of affordable housing for direct care workers who support older adults, providing data on poverty rates and housing cost burdens among the elderly.
SB82: Senator Denise Rardy, District 9 Support00:20:23.640 - 8:48:44 AM; Senator Denise Rardy introduced Senate Bill 82, known as The Hope Act, which aims to establish partnerships with municipalities to create attainable housing on unused state land. The bill proposes transferring land to towns at no cost for housing development within a specified timeframe, with eligibility tied to income caps. It also includes a $20 million grant program for infrastructure. She highlighted the bill's benefits, including addressing workforce housing needs, ensuring homes remain owner-occupied, and directing any profits toward property tax relief.
SB82: Matt Mayberry, CEO of New Hampshire Home Builders Association Support00:22:47.720 - 8:51:08 AM; Matt Mayberry supported Senate Bill 82, emphasizing its importance for addressing the housing challenge in New Hampshire. He highlighted the bill's benefits for law enforcement, firefighters, nurses, teachers, and National Guard members, allowing them to live in the communities they serve. He mentioned a $5,000 closing cost assistance program and the economic benefits of home building, including job creation and tax revenue. He also clarified that the bill aims to use state-owned parcels for residential development, transferring them to towns with assurances of housing development within a short timeframe.
SB82: Brody Dees, New Hampshire Municipal Association Information Only00:31:07.120 - 8:59:28 AM; Brody Dees from the New Hampshire Municipal Association, a nonpartisan nonprofit with voluntary membership from every municipality in New Hampshire, testified neutrally on SB82. He mentioned that they have not seen the current draft of the bill but had technical points to raise. Key concerns included the lack of an adoption process for the legislation, which could deter municipalities from participating, and the size of land parcels specified in the bill, suggesting that one-tenth of an acre is too small for practical development without sufficient infrastructure. Additionally, he noted the ambiguity surrounding the term 'Reserve Land' in the bill's original draft, which could affect how municipalities interpret and utilize land according to the statute. He expressed willingness to review the current draft and work through technical issues with the committee.
SB82: Jim Misho, Town Assessor for Hudson Information Only00:34:14.599 - 9:02:35 AM; Jim Misho, the town assessor for Hudson, testified neutrally on SB82. He mentioned that the Hudson Board of Selectmen had not taken a position on the bill. His testimony focused on technical and administrative aspects of the bill. He raised concerns about the use of tax deed property, the lack of means testing, and the requirement for municipalities to verify home ownership every two years, questioning why it was not annually as with other credits and exemptions. He also questioned the clarity of who would be responsible for verifying home ownership if the land was sold to developers. Lastly, he highlighted potential issues with the bill's reference to current use taxes, suggesting it might be intended to mean land use change tax, and the implications for conservation funds.
SB78: Senator Murphy, representing District 16 Support00:38:40.560 - 9:07:01 AM; Senator Murphy introduced SB78, which aims to standardize the appeal period for zoning board decisions across the state to 30 days. He explained that this would bring consistency to the process, as currently, some towns use a 'reasonable time' standard, which can be subjective and lead to delays. He emphasized that this standardization is a small but significant step towards reducing variability in housing and building regulations across different jurisdictions.
SB78: Chris Norwood, 2025 Vice Chair of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors Support00:40:27.520 - 9:08:48 AM; Chris Norwood, representing the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, spoke in favor of SB78. He provided context, noting that a 30-day appeal period is already a standard for planning and zoning decisions in many communities. He highlighted the need for clarity in administrative appeals, especially for building permits, as some towns currently use a 'reasonable' time frame, which can be vague and lead to uncertainty and legal disputes. Norwood cited a historical Supreme Court case from the 90s that resulted in a two-year delay due to an appeal filed after 55 days, underscoring the need for standardization to provide certainty in the market.
SB78: Berie Des, New Hampshire Municipal Association Oppose00:43:15.720 - 9:11:36 AM; Berie Des from the New Hampshire Municipal Association opposes Senate Bill 78. The bill eliminates the flexibility in the appeals process, which could negatively impact zoning boards and abutters. Des explains that the current law allows for flexibility, particularly beneficial for summer residents or 'snowbirds' who might need more time to participate in zoning processes. He argues that mandating a 30-day period for appeals does not allow communities to tailor their processes to meet the unique needs of their residents. Des suggests that education for local zoning boards, provided by the Municipal Association, could be a better approach to address concerns about the term 'reasonable' in existing ordinances. He emphasizes that different municipalities have different capacities and needs, making a one-size-fits-all approach problematic.
SB84: Senator Keith Murphy, District 16 Support00:50:41.559 - 9:19:02 AM; Senator Keith Murphy supports Senate Bill 84, emphasizing the dire housing shortage in New Hampshire, which has led to median home prices crossing half a million dollars. He attributes this to supply and demand issues exacerbated by restrictive building policies. Murphy discusses how high housing costs affect businesses, workers, and the state's economy, pointing out that businesses are moving elsewhere due to affordability issues. He criticizes current regulations, especially large lot size minimums, as tools to discourage building affordable homes, often referred to as 'snob zoning'. Murphy argues that Senate Bill 84, by setting a maximum minimum lot size, would allow for greater density and lower building costs, thus addressing the housing crisis more effectively than other measures. He urges the committee to support the bill to remove building restrictions and meet the demand for housing.
SB84: Chris Norwood, Vice Chair of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors Public Policy Committee Support01:02:17.000 - 9:30:38 AM; Chris Norwood discussed the common zoning practice of 2-acre lots in New Hampshire, attributing its origin to the technological needs of the 1980s for septic systems and driveways. He pointed out that this zoning standard has persisted into areas with municipal water and sewer systems, where such large lots are unnecessary. Norwood supported SB84, noting its potential to increase density in areas with existing infrastructure, specifically referencing sections of the bill that allow for such adjustments. He argued that the bill could help update zoning to better align with current needs under RSA 674:16, emphasizing that community welfare extends beyond town boundaries to include neighboring areas.
SB84: Rob Dais, Executive Director of New Hampshire Housing Support01:04:44.799 - 9:33:05 AM; Rob Dais expressed strong support for SB84, emphasizing its role in enabling the market to respond to the housing crisis. He argued that while public financing is crucial, it alone cannot solve the issue and that lowering regulatory barriers is necessary. Dais highlighted the bill's potential to allow builders more freedom in offering diverse housing options, countering outdated zoning that he believes has contributed to the current housing shortage. He referenced Senator Murphy's comments on the environmental benefits of density and suggested that municipalities could still maintain larger lot sizes in rural areas. Dais also addressed potential concerns about implementation, suggesting that updating zoning requirements would not be overly burdensome and is necessary to address the housing crisis.
SB84: Matt Mayberry, CEO of the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association Support01:07:51.599 - 9:36:12 AM; Matt Mayberry expressed frustration over the ongoing discussions about housing needs without action and emphasized the urgency of addressing the crisis. He supported SB84, arguing that it would help increase housing availability without significant costs, as zoning changes do not inherently require financial outlays. Mayberry questioned the fiscal note attached to the bill and explained that the proposed lot sizes, particularly the 1.5-acre maximum without municipal services, would be a practical solution. He stressed the need for decisive action and encouraged the committee to make hard decisions to increase housing supply.
SB84: Biry Dees, representing the New Hampshire Municipal Association Oppose01:11:51.120 - 9:40:12 AM; Biry Dees opposed SB84, arguing that it would undermine local control over zoning by mandating minimum lot sizes that do not account for local conditions like soil type, terrain, and infrastructure capacity. He expressed concerns that the bill could lead to health, safety, environmental, and financial issues for municipalities, particularly those with older infrastructure. Dees highlighted that the bill would impose an unfunded mandate on municipalities to expand infrastructure, which could increase costs for ratepayers. He emphasized the importance of local control and the ability of communities to tailor development to their specific needs and capacities, suggesting that the state's one-size-fits-all approach could have unintended consequences.
SB84: Jim Misho, Town Assessor for Hudson Information Only01:16:45.360 - 9:45:06 AM; Jim Misho provided neutral testimony on SB84, warning about the potential unintended consequences of zoning changes on property valuations. He noted that under current law, municipalities must reassess property values based on zoning changes, which could result in higher taxes for landowners due to increased property values. Misho also mentioned the potential impact on elderly and disabled homeowners who rely on means-tested exemptions, as increased land value could affect their eligibility. He pointed out a technical issue in the bill regarding properties serviced by water and sewer and suggested that the bill should include provisions for affordable or workforce housing to ensure it meets its intended goals.
SB84: Nick Taylor, Director of Housing Action New Hampshire Support01:19:50.440 - 9:48:11 AM; Nick Taylor supported SB84, arguing that current zoning regulations have effectively eliminated the possibility of building smaller, affordable homes. He referenced the New Hampshire Zoning Atlas, which showed that only 15% of buildable land allows for lots under an acre. Taylor praised the bill's thoughtful approach to health and safety concerns and its provisions for rural zoning to remain intact. He suggested a potential amendment to address setback considerations to prevent unbuildable lots and emphasized the bill's potential to significantly improve workforce housing and overall housing availability in New Hampshire.
SB84: Chris Evans, Real Estate Broker and Planning Board Member Support01:22:09.880 - 9:50:30 AM; Chris Evans supported SB84 and criticized the arbitrary nature of many town zoning ordinances. He argued that the Department of Environmental Services (DES) should be more fully utilized for its expertise in septic and well systems, rather than towns imposing their own regulations. Evans shared personal experiences of resistance to affordable housing proposals and the complexities and delays in local zoning changes. He suggested amendments to the bill, including uniform setbacks and frontage requirements, emergency invocation of the law, and an appeal process similar to that for workforce housing to ensure its effectiveness and prevent local circumvention.
SB91: Senator Keith Murphy, District 16 Support01:34:28.080 - 10:02:49 AM; Senator Murphy introduced SB91, which aims to simplify the process for residential property owners in commercial zones to receive a special appraisal. He explained that the current law requires annual applications for this appraisal, and his bill would change it to a one-time application, with the onus on the town to reassess if the use changes. He described the bill as straightforward and intended to ease the administrative burden on property owners.
SB91: Jim Misho, Town Assessor for Hudson Information Only01:36:00.400 - 10:04:21 AM; Jim Misho provided neutral testimony on SB91, detailing the current process of annual verification for special appraisals. He noted that the one-page form required is not a significant burden and helps ensure the property is used residentially. Misho suggested that if the law were to change, it could be made a local option, allowing communities to decide whether to require annual requalification or to do so once every five years. He emphasized the importance of the form in verifying residential use and preventing misuse of the special appraisal.
SB91: Biry Dees, representing the New Hampshire Municipal Association Oppose01:37:33.639 - 10:05:54 AM; Biry Dees opposed SB91, arguing that it would shift the responsibility of verifying residential use in commercial zones from property owners to assessors, potentially increasing administrative costs. He highlighted the importance of annual verification in ensuring accurate assessments and preventing over-taxation of residential users in commercial zones. Dees also pointed out the significance of annual reporting requirements for assessing purposes and the need to maintain the perjury requirement to ensure accurate reporting by property owners.
SB24: Senator Keith Murphy, District 16 Support01:56:25.159 - 10:24:46 AM; Senator Murphy introduced SB24, the wine tasting bill, which allows for educational opportunities in the hospitality industry. The bill would enable students to learn about alcoholic beverages and safe serving practices, benefiting the industry. There were no objections to the bill, and it was noted that the Liquor Commission supported it. The committee voted to recommend an ought to pass motion.
SB50: Senator Keith Murphy, District 16 Support01:58:01.119 - 10:26:22 AM; Senator Murphy introduced SB50, which deals with animal boarding and resulted from concerns raised by Senator Ward. The bill was proposed as a study committee to explore improvements in the process. There was some opposition to the bill, with concerns about over-regulation and its effectiveness in preventing issues like the loss of animals. Despite the opposition, the committee voted 4-2 in favor of an ought to pass motion.
SB52: Senator Keith Murphy, District 16 Support02:01:57.679 - 10:30:18 AM; Senator Murphy introduced SB52, which aims to clean up inconsistencies within a statute by substituting the word 'fiduciary' for 'trustee.' There was broad support for the bill, and it was noted that the statute needs to be consistent throughout. The committee voted unanimously in favor of an ought to pass motion.
SB67: Senator Keith Murphy, District 16 Support02:03:30.000 - 10:31:51 AM; Senator Murphy introduced SB67, which received support from Senator Fenton. There was no discussion on the bill, and it was moved to consent. The committee voted unanimously to recommend an ought to pass motion.
SB55: Senator Shardy Information Only02:04:16.199 - 10:32:37 AM; Senator Shardy provided comments on SB55, which was moved to the housing subcommittee. He expressed concerns about the lack of a fiscal note and questioned the impact of the bill on local taxpayers and conservation funds. He noted that the bill could encourage development without ensuring affordable housing and suggested it should be a local option rather than a state mandate. Shardy emphasized the importance of local control and the potential unintended consequences of the bill on local communities.

Innis, Daniel(Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Ricciardi, Denise(V Chairman)(R)[C-]2024	Murphy, Keith(R)[B+]2024
Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2024	McGough, Tim(R)	Reardon, Tara(D)