Text to be removed highlighted in red.
1 Municipal Economic Development and Revitalization Districts; Definition of Public Use. Amend RSA 162-K:2, IX-a to read as follows:
IX-a. "Public use" means:
(a)(1) The possession, occupation, and enjoyment of real property by the general public or governmental entities;
(2) The acquisition of any interest in real property necessary to the function of a public or private utility or common carrier either through deed of sale or lease;
(3) The acquisition of real property to remove structures beyond repair, public nuisances, structures unfit for human habitation or use, and abandoned property when such structures or property constitute a menace to health and safety; and
(4) Private use that occupies an incidental area within a public use; provided, that no real property shall be condemned solely for the purpose of facilitating such incidental private use.
(b) Except as provided in subparagraphs (a)(2) and (4) of this paragraph, public use shall not include the public benefits resulting from private economic development and private commercial enterprise, including increased tax revenues and increased employment opportunities.
2 Municipal Economic Development and Revitalization Districts; District Establishment and Development Programs; Authority to Acquire, Construct, and Promote Residential Development and Housing Stock. Amend RSA 162-K:6, III(h) and (i) to read as follows:
(h) Lease all or portions of basements, ground and second floors of the public buildings constructed in the district; and
(i) Negotiate the sale or lease of property for private development if the development is consistent with the development program for the district
.
3 Community Revitalization Tax Relief; Duration of Tax Relief Period. Amend RSA 79-E:5, II to read as follows:
II. The governing body may, in its discretion, add up to an additional 2 years of tax relief for a project that results in new residential units and up to 4 years for a project that includes affordable* housing
4 New Paragraph; Business Profits Tax; Additions and Deductions; Deduction from Gross Business Profits for Workforce Housing. Amend RSA 77-A:4 by inserting after paragraph XIX the following new paragraph:
XX. A deduction of one quarter of such amount of gross business profits as is attributable to income derived from housing units which both qualify as workforce housing, as that term is defined in RSA 674:58, IV, and are constructed after July 1, 2020.
5 Tax on Transfer of Real Property; Rate; Exception Added. Amend RSA 78-B:1, I(b) to read as follows:
(b) the rate of the tax is $.75 per $100, or fractional part thereof, of the price or consideration for such sale, grant, or transfer; except that where the price or consideration is $4,000 or less there shall be a minimum tax of $20. The tax imposed shall be computed to the nearest whole dollar.
6 New Section; Rate of Transfer Tax for First-time Home Buyers. Amend RSA 78-B by inserting after section 1-a the following new section:
78-B:1-b Rate of Transfer Tax for First Time Home Buyers. Notwithstanding RSA 78-B:1, I(b), beginning January 1, 2021 the rate of the tax is $.50 per $100, or fractional part thereof, of the price or consideration for such sale, grant, or transfer applicable to the buyer for the purchase of a qualifying first home, as follows:
I. The rate of tax provided for in this section shall be applied to the amount of tax owed by and actually paid by the buyer pursuant to RSA 78-B:1 and shall not apply to any amounts paid by the buyer on behalf of the seller.
II. For purposes of this section, the term:
(a) "Qualifying first home" shall mean:
(1) The purchase of residential real estate, the price of which does not exceed $300,000;
(2) That will be utilized as the buyer's principal residence as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 121 and related Treasury Regulations; and
(3) That is the buyer's first purchase of residential real estate.
(b) "Buyer'' shall mean the purchaser, grantee, assignee, or transferee of any real estate or any interest in real estate.
III. This section shall apply only if the deed by which the property is conveyed states the amount of consideration paid for the real estate.
7 Applicability Date. RSA 78-B:1-b, as inserted by section 6 of this act, shall apply to transfers occurring on and after January 1, 2021.
8 Payment of Tax; Exception Added. Amend RSA 78-B:4, III to read as follows:
III. the rate of tax established in RSA 78-B:1 shall apply to both the purchaser, grantee, assignee or transferee and the seller, grantor, assignor or transferor.
9 Prospective Repeal. RSA 78-B:1-b, relative to a transfer tax rate for first-time home buyers, is repealed.
10 Exception Deleted. Amend RSA 78-B:1, I(b) to read as follows:
(b) Except as provided in RSA 78-B:1-b, The rate of the tax is $.75 per $100, or fractional part thereof, of the price or consideration for such sale, grant, or transfer; except that where the price or consideration is $4,000 or less there shall be a minimum tax of $20. The tax imposed shall be computed to the nearest whole dollar.
11 Exception Deleted. Amend RSA 78-B:4, III to read as follows:
III. Except as provided in RSA 78-B:1-b, The rate of tax established in RSA 78-B:1 shall apply to both the purchaser, grantee, assignee or transferee and the seller, grantor, assignor or transferor.
12 Report Required; Department of Revenue Administration. On or before January 1, 2021 and on or before January 1, 2022, the commissioner of revenue administration shall report to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, and the governor on the number of first-time home buyers using the lower transfer tax rate provided in RSA 78-B:1-b and the department's assessment of whether the number of first-time home buyers increased or decreased as a result of the reduced tax rate.
13 New Subdivision; Office of Strategic Initiatives; New Hampshire Housing Champion Certification. Amend RSA 4-C by inserting after section 37 the following new subdivision:
New Hampshire Housing Champion Certification
4-C:38 New Hampshire Housing Champion Certification.
I. The office of strategic initiatives shall develop a New Hampshire housing champion certification program for all qualifying municipalities. The office of strategic initiatives shall adopt rules to establish qualifications and procedures for a municipality to earn the New Hampshire housing champion certification. The procedure for a municipality to earn the New Hampshire housing champion certification shall be based on a scoring system.
II. The New Hampshire housing champion certification program shall be voluntary. Each municipality shall have the option, in its sole discretion, to apply to the office of strategic initiatives to receive the New Hampshire housing champion certification. In exchange for housing champion certification, a municipality shall receive preferential access to state resources including, but not limited to, business profits tax revenue sharing, pursuant to RSA 77-A:24; the New Hampshire Advantage bond program, pursuant to RSA 162-I:17; and discretionary state infrastructure funds, as available.
III. Qualifications to receive the New Hampshire housing champion certification shall include, but are not limited to:
(a) Adoption of such land use regulations and ordinances which the office of strategic initiatives determines to be necessary to promote the development of workforce housing, as that term is defined in RSA 674:58, and other types of housing necessary for the economic development of the state. In this paragraph, "land use regulations and ordinances" shall include, but are not limited to, innovative land use controls described in RSA 674:21.
(b) Adoption of financial tools that incentivize the development of workforce housing, including adoption of the community revitalization tax relief incentive program under RSA 79-E and establishment of municipal economic development and revitalization districts under RSA 162-K.
(c) Training of planning board and zoning board of adjustment members.
(d) Adoption of energy efficiency residential building standards, pursuant to RSA 674:51, or adoption of an energy efficiency and clean energy district, pursuant to RSA 53-F.
IV. A New Hampshire housing champion certification shall be valid for 3 years from the date such certification is awarded. A municipality may renew its housing champion certification for subsequent 3-year periods. The office of strategic initiatives may include in the criteria for renewal such performance metrics including, but not limited to, the qualifications listed in paragraph III, total housing production, and production of workforce housing in a municipality during the period since a municipality last received New Hampshire housing champion certification.
V. There is hereby established the New Hampshire housing champion certification program advisory board. The advisory board shall review and comment on proposed rules and qualifications used by the office of strategic initiatives to evaluate applications for housing champion certification and shall advise the office regarding ongoing program administration. The advisory board shall consist of:
(a) One member of the senate, appointed by the senate president.
(b) Two members of the house of representatives, at least one of whom shall be a member of the municipal and county government committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(c) The commissioner of the department of business and economic affairs, or designee.
(d) One member appointed by each of the following entities:
(1) The New Hampshire housing finance authority.
(2) The New Hampshire community development finance authority.
(3) The New Hampshire Municipal Association.
(4) The New Hampshire Association of Regional Planning Commissions.
(5) Housing Action New Hampshire.
(6) Clean Energy New Hampshire.
(7) The Home Builders and Remodelers Association of New Hampshire.
(8) The New Hampshire Association of Realtors.
(9) The New Hampshire Planners Association.
(10) Plan New Hampshire.
VI. Members of the advisory board shall serve without compensation, except that legislative members of the board shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the board.
VII. The office of strategic initiatives shall adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A to implement the provisions of this section no later than January 1, 2021. During the rulemaking process, the office of strategic initiatives shall consult with the relevant state agencies and entities who administer the programs and funds identified in paragraph II to ensure the rules for the New Hampshire housing champion certification program are not in conflict with the rules of these state agencies and entities.
14 New Section; Business Profits Tax; Revenue Sharing with New Hampshire Housing Champion Municipalities. Amend RSA 77-A by inserting after section 23 the following new section:
77-A:24 Distribution of Certain Housing Development Revenue.
I. Beginning with the first fiscal year after the final adoption of rules under RSA 4-C:38 and for each fiscal year thereafter, the department shall calculate, pursuant to the provisions of this section, the total of all revenue received under this chapter that is derived from housing developments that are both (a) constructed in municipalities that have received the New Hampshire housing champion certification through the program established in RSA 4-C:38 and (b) constructed after the date upon which the municipality received the New Hampshire housing champion certification through the program established in RSA 4-C:38. The department shall further calculate the amount of such revenue received on a municipality-by-municipality basis.
II. To facilitate the calculations required under paragraph I, the department shall require each business organization to indicate on its return the portion of its gross business profits derived from housing developments that are both (a) constructed in municipalities that have received the New Hampshire housing champion certification through the program established in RSA 4-C:38 and (b) constructed after the date upon which the municipality received the New Hampshire housing champion certification through the program established in RSA 4-C:38.
III. The department shall provide the amount of revenue calculated pursuant to paragraph I to the municipality and shall give such municipality at least 30 days to contest such calculation. If a municipality contests such calculation, then the department shall work with the municipality to conduct a review of the relevant information received by the department. Upon completion of such review, the department may revise its calculation based on any identified errors.
IV. On or before December 1 of each year, the department shall notify the state treasurer of the amount of revenue received for each municipality, as calculated pursuant to paragraph I, by a report certified by the department as to correctness. After receipt of such report, the state treasurer shall distribute to each municipality one half of the revenue which the report designates to the municipality.
V. The department may adopt rules, pursuant to the requirements of RSA 541-A, to implement the provisions of this section.
15 New Section; Business Finance Authority Revenue Bonds; New Hampshire Advantage Bond Program. Amend RSA 162-I by inserting after section 16 the following new section:
162-I:17 New Hampshire Advantage Bond Program.
I. There is hereby established the New Hampshire advantage bond program for the purpose of financing economic development projects in municipalities who have achieved the New Hampshire housing champion certification pursuant to RSA 4-C:38. The authority shall develop guidelines for the New Hampshire advantage bond program that are consistent with the provisions of this section and RSA 4-C:38.
II. Notwithstanding other limitations of this chapter, for purposes of this section the authority may issue bonds hereby deemed "New Hampshire advantage bonds" which shall be limited obligations of the authority and not general obligations of the state, except as provided in RSA 162-I:9-b and RSA 162-I:17, II. Such bonds may be issued from time to time consistent with the purposes and provisions of this chapter, for any costs incurred in undertaking any project authorized by this chapter, or for paying or refunding any bonds issued pursuant to this section or interest thereon.
III. New Hampshire advantage bonds may only be issued for projects undertaken within the borders of municipalities who have achieved the New Hampshire housing champion certification pursuant to RSA 4-C:38. The authority may begin issuing New Hampshire advantage bonds one year from the date of the final adoption of rules for the New Hampshire housing champion program established in RSA 4-C:38.
IV. The principal on all New Hampshire advantage bonds shall be payable solely by the authority in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The premium, if any, and interest on all New Hampshire advantage bonds shall be payable solely by the state of New Hampshire.
V. The provisions of paragraph III notwithstanding, the authority shall seek, through negotiations and other consideration, to obtain the maximum amount of public benefit from each project financed using a New Hampshire advantage bond. After paying required fees and expenses of the authority proceeds from such recoupment for each project shall be made available to the municipality wherein the project is located, according to guidelines developed by the authority pursuant to paragraph I.
VI. New Hampshire advantage bonds shall be issued by the authority in such amounts consistent with the purposes and provisions of this chapter, not exceeding in the aggregate $100,000,000.
16 New Paragraph; Business Finance Authority Revenue Bonds. Amend RSA 162-I:1 by inserting after paragraph IX the following new paragraph:
X. It is hereby declared that there is a need for the development, acquisition, construction, expansion, and replacement of commercial facilities in the state in order to maintain and improve the social or economic prosperity of the state and its political subdivisions, and promote the general welfare of the state's citizens. It is further declared that investments in local communities in a manner which simultaneously advances the needs of employers, local municipalities, and the state of New Hampshire is deemed of strategic importance to the general welfare of the state's citizens.
17 Business Finance Authority Revenue Bonds; Definition of Project Costs. Amend RSA 162-I:2, IX(h) and (i) to read as follows:
(h) Working capital related to a project; and
(i) Creating reserves
18 Business Finance Authority Revenue Bonds; Obligations of the State. Amend RSA 162-I:10, I(b) to read as follows:
(b) As permitted by RSA 162-I:9, RSA 162-I:9-a, or RSA 162-I:9-b, or RSA 162-I:17; or
19 Effective Date.
I. Sections 9-11 shall take effect January 1, 2026.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect July 1, 2020.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 Municipal Economic Development and Revitalization Districts; Definition of Public Use. Amend RSA 162-K:2, IX-a to read as follows:
IX-a. "Public use" means:
(a)(1) The possession, occupation, and enjoyment of real property by the general public or governmental entities; .*
(3) The acquisition of real property to remove structures beyond repair, public nuisances, structures unfit for human habitation or use, and abandoned property when such structures or property constitute a menace to health and safety .
(4) Private use that occupies an incidental area within a public use; provided, that no real property shall be condemned solely for the purpose of facilitating such incidental private use.
(5) The acquisition of real property to construct housing units which meet the definition of workforce housing contained in RSA 674:58, IV, whether or not such construction results from private development or private commercial enterprise.
(b) Except as provided in subparagraphs (a)(2) , (4) , and (5) of this paragraph, public use shall not include the public benefits resulting from private economic development and private commercial enterprise, including increased tax revenues and increased employment opportunities.
2 Municipal Economic Development and Revitalization Districts; District Establishment and Development Programs; Authority to Acquire, Construct, and Promote Residential Development and Housing Stock. Amend RSA 162-K:6, III(h) and (i) to read as follows:
(h) Lease all or portions of basements, ground and second floors of the public buildings constructed in the district;
(i) Negotiate the sale or lease of property for private development if the development is consistent with the development program for the district** ; and **
** (j) Acquire, construct, reconstruct, improve, alter, extend, operate, maintain or promote residential developments aimed at increasing the available housing stock within the municipality **.
3 Community Revitalization Tax Relief; Duration of Tax Relief Period. Amend RSA 79-E:5, II to read as follows:
II. The governing body may, in its discretion, add up to an additional 4 an additional 8 years for a project that includes housing that meets the definition of workforce housing inRSA 674:58, IV, and up to additional 8 years for a project that includes residential units located on the second story or higher of a downtown building. For purposes of this paragraph, the term downtown shall be defined by the governing body.*
4 New Paragraph; Business Profits Tax; Additions and Deductions; Deduction from Gross Business Profits for Workforce Housing. Amend RSA 77-A:4 by inserting after paragraph XIX the following new paragraph:
XX. A deduction of one quarter of such amount of gross business profits as is attributable to income derived from housing units which both qualify as workforce housing, as that term is defined in RSA 674:58, IV, and are constructed after July 1, 2020.
5 Tax on Transfer of Real Property; Rate; Exception Added. Amend RSA 78-B:1, I(b) to read as follows:
(b) Except as provided inRSA 78-B:1-b, the rate of the tax is $.75 per $100, or fractional part thereof, of the price or consideration for such sale, grant, or transfer; except that where the price or consideration is $4,000 or less there shall be a minimum tax of $20. The tax imposed shall be computed to the nearest whole dollar.
6 New Section; Rate of Transfer Tax for First-time Home Buyers. Amend RSA 78-B by inserting after section 1-a the following new section:
78-B:1-b Rate of Transfer Tax for First Time Home Buyers. Notwithstanding RSA 78-B:1, I(b), beginning January 1, 2021 the rate of the tax is $.50 per $100, or fractional part thereof, of the price or consideration for such sale, grant, or transfer applicable to the buyer for the purchase of a qualifying first home, as follows:
I. The rate of tax provided for in this section shall be applied to the amount of tax owed by and actually paid by the buyer pursuant to RSA 78-B:1 and shall not apply to any amounts paid by the buyer on behalf of the seller.
II. For purposes of this section, the term:
(a) "Qualifying first home" shall mean:
(1) The purchase of residential real estate, the price of which does not exceed $300,000;
(2) That will be utilized as the buyer's principal residence as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 121 and related Treasury Regulations; and
(3) That is the buyer's first purchase of residential real estate.
(b) "Buyer'' shall mean the purchaser, grantee, assignee, or transferee of any real estate or any interest in real estate.
III. This section shall apply only if the deed by which the property is conveyed states the amount of consideration paid for the real estate.
7 Applicability Date. RSA 78-B:1-b, as inserted by section 6 of this act, shall apply to transfers occurring on and after January 1, 2021.
8 Payment of Tax; Exception Added. Amend RSA 78-B:4, III to read as follows:
III. Except as provided inRSA 78-B:1-b, the rate of tax established in RSA 78-B:1 shall apply to both the purchaser, grantee, assignee or transferee and the seller, grantor, assignor or transferor.
9 Prospective Repeal. RSA 78-B:1-b, relative to a transfer tax rate for first-time home buyers, is repealed.
10 Exception Deleted. Amend RSA 78-B:1, I(b) to read as follows:
(b) The rate of the tax is $.75 per $100, or fractional part thereof, of the price or consideration for such sale, grant, or transfer; except that where the price or consideration is $4,000 or less there shall be a minimum tax of $20. The tax imposed shall be computed to the nearest whole dollar.
11 Exception Deleted. Amend RSA 78-B:4, III to read as follows:
III. The rate of tax established in RSA 78-B:1 shall apply to both the purchaser, grantee, assignee or transferee and the seller, grantor, assignor or transferor.
12 Report Required; Department of Revenue Administration. On or before January 1, 2021 and on or before January 1, 2022, the commissioner of revenue administration shall report to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, and the governor on the number of first-time home buyers using the lower transfer tax rate provided in RSA 78-B:1-b and the department's assessment of whether the number of first-time home buyers increased or decreased as a result of the reduced tax rate.
13 New Subdivision; Office of Strategic Initiatives; New Hampshire Housing Champion Certification. Amend RSA 4-C by inserting after section 37 the following new subdivision:
New Hampshire Housing Champion Certification
4-C:38 New Hampshire Housing Champion Certification.
I. The office of strategic initiatives shall develop a New Hampshire housing champion certification program for all qualifying municipalities. The office of strategic initiatives shall adopt rules to establish qualifications and procedures for a municipality to earn the New Hampshire housing champion certification. The procedure for a municipality to earn the New Hampshire housing champion certification shall be based on a scoring system.
II. The New Hampshire housing champion certification program shall be voluntary. Each municipality shall have the option, in its sole discretion, to apply to the office of strategic initiatives to receive the New Hampshire housing champion certification. In exchange for housing champion certification, a municipality shall receive preferential access to state resources including, but not limited to, business profits tax revenue sharing, pursuant to RSA 77-A:24; the New Hampshire Advantage bond program, pursuant to RSA 162-I:17; and discretionary state infrastructure funds, as available.
III. Qualifications to receive the New Hampshire housing champion certification shall include, but are not limited to:
(a) Adoption of such land use regulations and ordinances which the office of strategic initiatives determines to be necessary to promote the development of workforce housing, as that term is defined in RSA 674:58, and other types of housing necessary for the economic development of the state. In this paragraph, "land use regulations and ordinances" shall include, but are not limited to, innovative land use controls described in RSA 674:21.
(b) Adoption of financial tools that incentivize the development of workforce housing, including adoption of the community revitalization tax relief incentive program under RSA 79-E and establishment of municipal economic development and revitalization districts under RSA 162-K.
(c) Training of planning board and zoning board of adjustment members.
(d) Adoption of energy efficiency residential building standards, pursuant to RSA 674:51, or adoption of an energy efficiency and clean energy district, pursuant to RSA 53-F.
IV. A New Hampshire housing champion certification shall be valid for 3 years from the date such certification is awarded. A municipality may renew its housing champion certification for subsequent 3-year periods. The office of strategic initiatives may include in the criteria for renewal such performance metrics including, but not limited to, the qualifications listed in paragraph III, total housing production, and production of workforce housing in a municipality during the period since a municipality last received New Hampshire housing champion certification.
V. There is hereby established the New Hampshire housing champion certification program advisory board. The advisory board shall review and comment on proposed rules and qualifications used by the office of strategic initiatives to evaluate applications for housing champion certification and shall advise the office regarding ongoing program administration. The advisory board shall consist of:
(a) One member of the senate, appointed by the senate president.
(b) Two members of the house of representatives, at least one of whom shall be a member of the municipal and county government committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(c) The commissioner of the department of business and economic affairs, or designee.
(d) One member appointed by each of the following entities:
(1) The New Hampshire housing finance authority.
(2) The New Hampshire community development finance authority.
(3) The New Hampshire Municipal Association.
(4) The New Hampshire Association of Regional Planning Commissions.
(5) Housing Action New Hampshire.
(6) Clean Energy New Hampshire.
(7) The Home Builders and Remodelers Association of New Hampshire.
(8) The New Hampshire Association of Realtors.
(9) The New Hampshire Planners Association.
(10) Plan New Hampshire.
VI. Members of the advisory board shall serve without compensation, except that legislative members of the board shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the board.
VII. The office of strategic initiatives shall adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A to implement the provisions of this section no later than January 1, 2021. During the rulemaking process, the office of strategic initiatives shall consult with the relevant state agencies and entities who administer the programs and funds identified in paragraph II to ensure the rules for the New Hampshire housing champion certification program are not in conflict with the rules of these state agencies and entities.
14 New Section; Business Profits Tax; Revenue Sharing with New Hampshire Housing Champion Municipalities. Amend RSA 77-A by inserting after section 23 the following new section:
77-A:24 Distribution of Certain Housing Development Revenue.
I. Beginning with the first fiscal year after the final adoption of rules under RSA 4-C:38 and for each fiscal year thereafter, the department shall calculate, pursuant to the provisions of this section, the total of all revenue received under this chapter that is derived from housing developments that are both (a) constructed in municipalities that have received the New Hampshire housing champion certification through the program established in RSA 4-C:38 and (b) constructed after the date upon which the municipality received the New Hampshire housing champion certification through the program established in RSA 4-C:38. The department shall further calculate the amount of such revenue received on a municipality-by-municipality basis.
II. To facilitate the calculations required under paragraph I, the department shall require each business organization to indicate on its return the portion of its gross business profits derived from housing developments that are both (a) constructed in municipalities that have received the New Hampshire housing champion certification through the program established in RSA 4-C:38 and (b) constructed after the date upon which the municipality received the New Hampshire housing champion certification through the program established in RSA 4-C:38.
III. The department shall provide the amount of revenue calculated pursuant to paragraph I to the municipality and shall give such municipality at least 30 days to contest such calculation. If a municipality contests such calculation, then the department shall work with the municipality to conduct a review of the relevant information received by the department. Upon completion of such review, the department may revise its calculation based on any identified errors.
IV. On or before December 1 of each year, the department shall notify the state treasurer of the amount of revenue received for each municipality, as calculated pursuant to paragraph I, by a report certified by the department as to correctness. After receipt of such report, the state treasurer shall distribute to each municipality one half of the revenue which the report designates to the municipality.
V. The department may adopt rules, pursuant to the requirements of RSA 541-A, to implement the provisions of this section.
15 New Section; Business Finance Authority Revenue Bonds; New Hampshire Advantage Bond Program. Amend RSA 162-I by inserting after section 16 the following new section:
162-I:17 New Hampshire Advantage Bond Program.
I. There is hereby established the New Hampshire advantage bond program for the purpose of financing economic development projects in municipalities who have achieved the New Hampshire housing champion certification pursuant to RSA 4-C:38. The authority shall develop guidelines for the New Hampshire advantage bond program that are consistent with the provisions of this section and RSA 4-C:38.
II. Notwithstanding other limitations of this chapter, for purposes of this section the authority may issue bonds hereby deemed "New Hampshire advantage bonds" which shall be limited obligations of the authority and not general obligations of the state, except as provided in RSA 162-I:9-b and RSA 162-I:17, II. Such bonds may be issued from time to time consistent with the purposes and provisions of this chapter, for any costs incurred in undertaking any project authorized by this chapter, or for paying or refunding any bonds issued pursuant to this section or interest thereon.
III. New Hampshire advantage bonds may only be issued for projects undertaken within the borders of municipalities who have achieved the New Hampshire housing champion certification pursuant to RSA 4-C:38. The authority may begin issuing New Hampshire advantage bonds one year from the date of the final adoption of rules for the New Hampshire housing champion program established in RSA 4-C:38.
IV. The principal on all New Hampshire advantage bonds shall be payable solely by the authority in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The premium, if any, and interest on all New Hampshire advantage bonds shall be payable solely by the state of New Hampshire.
V. The provisions of paragraph III notwithstanding, the authority shall seek, through negotiations and other consideration, to obtain the maximum amount of public benefit from each project financed using a New Hampshire advantage bond. After paying required fees and expenses of the authority proceeds from such recoupment for each project shall be made available to the municipality wherein the project is located, according to guidelines developed by the authority pursuant to paragraph I.
VI. New Hampshire advantage bonds shall be issued by the authority in such amounts consistent with the purposes and provisions of this chapter, not exceeding in the aggregate $100,000,000.
16 New Paragraph; Business Finance Authority Revenue Bonds. Amend RSA 162-I:1 by inserting after paragraph IX the following new paragraph:
X. It is hereby declared that there is a need for the development, acquisition, construction, expansion, and replacement of commercial facilities in the state in order to maintain and improve the social or economic prosperity of the state and its political subdivisions, and promote the general welfare of the state's citizens. It is further declared that investments in local communities in a manner which simultaneously advances the needs of employers, local municipalities, and the state of New Hampshire is deemed of strategic importance to the general welfare of the state's citizens.
17 Business Finance Authority Revenue Bonds; Definition of Project Costs. Amend RSA 162-I:2, IX(h) and (i) to read as follows:
(h) Working capital related to a project;
(i) Creating reserves ; and
(j) Payment or payments made to support local state or municipal infrastructure and/or other complementary investments or expenditures as determined by the authority that facilitate the relocation or expansion of an employer in a given region consistent with 162-I:17.
18 Business Finance Authority Revenue Bonds; Obligations of the State. Amend RSA 162-I:10, I(b) to read as follows:
(b) As permitted by RSA 162-I:9, RSA 162-I:9-a, RSA 162-I:9-b, or RSA 162-I:17; or
19 Effective Date.
I. Sections 9-11 shall take effect January 1, 2026.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect July 1, 2020.