Committee Summary for Senate Commerce (04/24/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB309 00:06:13.039 - 12:04:19 PM	Executive Session	relative to making electronic rent payments optional.	Mooney, Maureen(R)[B+]2024
HB692 00:10:57.360 - 12:09:03 PM	Executive Session	relative to utility companies adopting advanced meters.	McGhee, Kat(D)[CT]2024
SB631 2024-0408s 00:17:15.919 - 12:15:21 PM	Executive Session	permitting residential building in commercial zoning	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
HB410 00:22:18.720 - 12:20:24 PM	Executive Session	(New Title) limiting local authority to adopt restrictions on the building and development of residential properties.	Read, Ellen(D)[D]2024
HB296 00:24:13.400 - 12:22:19 PM	Executive Session	relative to issuing building permits along private roads.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2024
HB685 00:32:35.880 - 12:30:41 PM	Executive Session	permitting in all residentially zoned areas by right the construction of manufactured housing.	Alexander, Joe(R)[A]2024
HB577 00:42:20.440 - 12:40:26 PM	Executive Session	relative to modifying the definition of ADUs.	Alexander, Joe(R)[A]2024

HB309: Committee Member 1 Information Only00:06:13.039 - 12:04:19 PM; Discussed the issue of people who are 'unbankable' and cannot afford checking accounts due to overdraft fees. Highlighted the need for alternative payment methods like Western Union for rent payments, especially for those who have lost their jobs.
HB309: Committee Member 2 Information Only00:07:26.560 - 12:05:32 PM; Expressed reluctance to interfere with the right to contract but noted that no landlords opposed the bill during the hearing. Mentioned potential support from landlords and a possible amendment to remove a $1,000 fine for non-compliance.
HB309: Senator Nis Support00:08:44.640 - 12:06:50 PM; Expressed comfort in moving forward with the bill, acknowledging the need for alternative payment methods for older individuals who prefer traditional payment methods like checks.
HB309: Committee Member 3 Vote00:09:57.839 - 12:08:03 PM; Moved to pass the bill with a second, and the committee voted to recommend it to the full committee for passage. Noted that an amendment might be needed to address the fine.
HB692: Committee Member 4 Information Only00:10:57.360 - 12:09:03 PM; Discussed the logic behind the bill, noting widespread agreement during the committee hearing with no substantial objections. Mentioned the need for fair market rent for state-leased properties.
HB692: Senator Rudy Information Only00:12:11.600 - 12:10:17 PM; Expressed concern about putting lease negotiations into statute, suggesting that administrative services could handle negotiations effectively. Questioned the necessity of the bill for all state-leased properties.
HB692: Committee Member 5 Information Only00:12:57.600 - 12:11:03 PM; Supported the bill for unique properties like courthouses but felt it was too broad for general application. Mentioned the need for more specific language to address the concerns raised.
HB692: Committee Member 6 Information Only00:14:05.120 - 12:12:11 PM; Suggested that the Association of Counties could come back with more specific language to narrow the scope of the bill. Recommended discussing it in the full committee.
HB692: Committee Member 7 Information Only00:15:24.880 - 12:13:30 PM; Agreed to bring the bill back to the full committee for further discussion and suggested asking the Association of Counties for suggested amendments to address specific concerns.
SB631 2024-0408s: Committee Member 8 Information Only00:17:15.919 - 12:15:21 PM; Discussed an amendment from Senator Inis that would allow denial of residential building in areas with insufficient infrastructure. Found the amendment logical and potentially more palatable to many.
SB631 2024-0408s: Senator Inis Information Only00:18:06.240 - 12:16:12 PM; Explained that the amendment would prohibit residential building where infrastructure like water, noise, odor, transportation, and height could cause additional costs. Expressed commitment to mixed-use building but had concerns about the amendment's necessity.
SB631 2024-0408s: Committee Member 9 Information Only00:19:14.799 - 12:17:20 PM; Noted that the amendment was similar to existing language in the bill and questioned its necessity. Mentioned that water was already addressed in the original bill.
SB631 2024-0408s: Committee Member 10 Vote00:22:18.720 - 12:20:24 PM; Moved to pass the bill without the amendment, and the committee voted to recommend it to the full committee for passage without the amendment.
HB410: Committee Member 11 Information Only00:22:18.720 - 12:20:24 PM; Expressed appreciation for the bill's approach to solving housing issues but raised concerns about potential conflicts with other legislation and the timing of its implementation.
HB410: Committee Member 11 Information Only00:22:18.720 - 12:20:24 PM; Committee Member 11 was finishing speaking at 00:22:18.720, discussing the ongoing session.
HB410: Senator Weird Information Only00:23:17.440 - 12:21:23 PM; Senator Weird expressed agreement with the ongoing discussion and highlighted the summary nature of the topic, noting the legal implications of the word 'extraordinary' in housing regulation. They suggested re-referring the bill and seconded a motion to do so.
HB296: Senator Rearon Information Only00:24:13.400 - 12:22:19 PM; Senator Rearon discussed an amendment from Housing Action New Hampshire, which was meant to clarify the bill's intent regarding building permits on private roads. The amendment had not yet been through OLS.
HB296: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:24:59.640 - 12:23:05 PM; The speaker discussed the amendment's intent to not overrule other code requirements and questioned its interplay with another Senate bill about building on class 6 roads.
HB296: Senator Rearen Information Only00:25:47.400 - 12:23:53 PM; Senator Rearen suggested deleting paragraph two of the amendment to avoid conflict. They were still reviewing the relevant RSA and considering the amendment's impact.
HB296: Mr. Shay Support00:27:01.760 - 12:25:07 PM; Mr. Shay expressed that their organization would support House Bill 296 if paragraph two were deleted, as it would change their position from opposition to support by establishing a local option for building permits.
HB296: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:28:11.960 - 12:26:17 PM; The speaker clarified the opposition to the clause about issuing building permits and discussed the amendment's reference to RSA 676:13, noting potential conflicts with existing statutes.
HB296: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:29:29.080 - 12:27:35 PM; The speaker discussed how the amendment could conflict with the existing statute and suggested a solution to operate within the current statute, empowering local boards to approve subdivisions on class 6 roads.
HB296: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:30:28.080 - 12:28:34 PM; The speaker reiterated the conflict between the amendment and the existing statute, suggesting the deletion of lines 7 through 12 to resolve the issue and gain support for the bill.
HB296: Senator Rearen Information Only00:31:49.360 - 12:29:55 PM; Senator Rearen agreed to the committee amendment to delete lines 7 through 12, which led to a motion to recommend the bill to pass as amended.
HB685: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:32:35.880 - 12:30:41 PM; The speaker introduced House Bill 685 and asked for any amendments or issues to discuss.
HB685: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:33:24.159 - 12:31:30 PM; The speaker discussed the stigma of manufactured housing and how towns can require certain standards for such homes, mentioning the example of Newcastle's historic district.
HB685: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:34:37.679 - 12:32:43 PM; The speaker addressed the zoning requirements for manufactured housing in historic districts, using Newcastle and Portsmouth as examples, and mentioned the current statute's mandate for municipalities to allow manufactured housing.
HB685: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:35:41.280 - 12:33:47 PM; The speaker discussed the current statute's impact on manufactured housing development across the state, suggesting that the new bill might be unnecessary. They highlighted potential conflicts in the bill's definition of manufactured housing and recommended further study.
HB685: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:37:33.920 - 12:35:39 PM; The speaker continued to discuss the potential conflicts between the new bill and existing statutes, suggesting the repeal of the current mandate to avoid confusion.
HB685: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:38:34.480 - 12:36:40 PM; The speaker mentioned the importance of maintaining the character of historic and village districts, suggesting that manufactured housing might not fit in these areas.
HB685: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:39:43.520 - 12:37:49 PM; The speaker discussed the existing solution under RSA 674:32 for establishing overlay districts for manufactured housing, suggesting tweaks to this section rather than passing the new bill.
HB685: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:41:33.200 - 12:39:39 PM; The speaker argued that the concerns about manufactured housing in historic districts might not have a basis in reality due to the high value of real estate in these areas.
HB685: Unknown Speaker Support00:42:20.440 - 12:40:26 PM; The speaker moved to recommend the bill to pass, and it was seconded and passed by the committee.
HB577: Senator Weird Information Only00:42:20.440 - 12:40:26 PM; Senator Weird mentioned an amendment for another bill (House Bill 342) that was not on the agenda for the day.
HB577: Unknown Speaker Support00:43:38.160 - 12:41:44 PM; The speaker expressed support for House Bill 577, highlighting its importance for aging parents, young families, and as a potential income source to help with property taxes. They noted that the cost of these units would prevent their widespread use.
HB577: Unknown Speaker Support00:44:42.000 - 12:42:48 PM; The speaker supported the bill, citing examples from Ring and Bedford where the units have been used sparingly but effectively. They also saw opportunities for rural communities to use outbuildings for this purpose.
HB577: Unknown Speaker Support00:44:42.000 - 12:42:48 PM; The committee recommended that House Bill 577 ought to pass, and the motion was seconded and passed.

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)