SB 174 - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-1099
06/08
SENATE BILL 174
SPONSORS: Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Rep. Alexander Jr., Hills. 29; Rep. Osborne, Rock. 2
COMMITTEE: Commerce
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ANALYSIS
This bill prohibits planning boards from differentiating based on the number of bedrooms in a residential development during the hearing and approval process.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-1099
06/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Subdivision; Prohibiting Differentiation Based on the Number of Bedrooms. Amend RSA 674 by inserting after section 76 the following new subdivision:
Prohibiting Differentiation Based on the Number of Bedrooms
674:77 Definitions. In this subdivision:
I. "Planning board" means a municipal body responsible for reviewing and approving site plans and building permits for residential developments.
II. "Residential development" means any housing project that includes one or more residential units, regardless of whether they are intended for rent or purchase.
III. "Bedroom" means a room in a residential unit that is intended for sleeping purposes.
674:78 Prohibition on Differentiation Based on Number of Bedrooms.
I. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, planning boards shall not differentiate the number of bedrooms in a given unit or development during the hearing and approval process for site plans or building permits.
II. The number of bedrooms per unit shall not be a factor in deciding whether to approve or reject a site plan or building permit.
III. Planning boards may not use the number of bedrooms as cause or criteria to reject a residential development proposal.
674:79 Uniform Treatment of Residential Developments.
I. Planning boards shall treat all residential developments uniformly, regardless of whether the development includes one or more bedroom units.
II. The intent and purpose of this subdivision are to prevent any unnatural aversion or preference toward a certain type of unit based on the number of bedrooms.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| March 4, 2025 | Senate | Hearing |
| March 4, 2025 | Senate | Hearing |
| Senate | Floor Vote | |
| March 20, 2025 | Senate | Floor Vote |
March 28, 2025: Introduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Housing HJ 11
March 20, 2025: Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/20/2025; SJ 8
March 11, 2025: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/20/2025, Vote 4-2; SC 13
March 11, 2025: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, Vote 4-2 SC 13
Feb. 26, 2025: Hearing: 03/04/2025, Room 100, SH, 10:15 am; SC 11
Feb. 18, 2025: Hearing: 03/04/2025, Room 100, SH, 10:15 am; SC 11
Jan. 23, 2025: Introduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 3