SB 82-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-0982
06/08
SENATE BILL 82-FN
AN ACT relative to the housing opportunity project extension and homes for homeland heroes grant program.
SPONSORS: Sen. Ricciardi, Dist 9; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17
COMMITTEE: Commerce
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ANALYSIS
This bill incentivizes New Hampshire counties and municipalities to open land for affordable workforce housing by establishing housing opportunity zones, setting zoning and design requirements, mandating owner-occupancy, providing state grants, and exempting initial property transfers from real estate transfer taxes.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-0982
06/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACT relative to the housing opportunity project extension and homes for homeland heroes grant program.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Subdivision; Housing Opportunity Project Extension. Amend RSA 674 by inserting after section 59 the following new subdivision:
Housing Opportunity Project Extension
674:59-a Short Title; Purpose.
I. This act may be cited as the Housing Opportunity Project Extension (HOPE) Act.
II. The purpose of this act is to incentivize New Hampshire counties and municipalities to open land held in reserve or suitable for rezoning, to encourage the development of affordable workforce housing, and to provide opportunities for community members to live where they work.
674:59-b Housing Opportunity Zones.
I. Counties or municipalities may establish housing opportunity zones for residential development, including but not limited to:
(a) Multifamily units;
(b) Condominiums; or
(c) Single-family homes.
II. Single-family homes may be built on 1/10 acre lots, provided that special zoning exceptions may be required. Condominiums shall have common land, obviating the need for individual lot sizes.
III. Homes shall be built on a slab to reduce costs, with storage provided by an attic or oversized one-car garage. In the event that garages are excluded, attic access shall be provided. The design shall encourage a neighborhood feel, with centralized mail locations, sidewalks, and front porches to foster community interaction.
IV. All homes shall be required to be owner-occupied by deed restriction, preventing entities such as real estate investment trusts from purchasing and renting units at inflated prices. Resales shall be to other owner-occupiers, and municipalities shall be responsible for verifying home ownership every 2 years.
V. Counties or municipalities shall act as developers, managing the project, interviewing builders, and overseeing permitting. They may either sell the entire project to a developer or subcontract portions thereof. Any profits from home sales shall benefit taxpayers, potentially offsetting property taxes or funding infrastructure projects.
VI. The development shall not be restricted to residents 55 years of age or older, nor labeled an “active adult” community. Each home shall have at least 2 bedrooms. Accessory dwelling units shall not be allowed by right in these developments.
674:59-c State Support and Funding.
I. The state shall provide $20 million in grants for infrastructure development, including but not limited to roads, water, and sewer systems. No single municipality shall receive more than $1 million, and no county shall receive more than $5 million in total grants. Joint county-municipal projects may pool funds if the development includes over 50 housing units.
II. Eligible projects must include at least 30 single-family homes or 40 condominium units. Housing options may include a variety of construction methods, including but not limited to stick-built, modular, and 3D-printed homes. Manufactured homes must be secured to a slab with hurricane tie-downs, and all axles must be removed.
III. Homes may be built on long-term leased land with a minimum term of 50 years, with the county or municipality retaining ownership to prevent escalating lot rents.
674:59-d Exemptions and Tax Relief. The first property transfer from developer to owner shall be exempt from real estate transfer taxes. Parcels exceeding the 10-acre threshold shall be exempt from current-use taxes.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
25-0982
1/19/25
SB 82-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to the housing opportunity project extension and homes for homeland heroes grant program.
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | ||
Revenue | $0 | Indeterminable | ||||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | Indeterminable | ||||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
Estimated Political Subdivision Impact | ||||
| FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 |
County Revenue | $0 | Indeterminable | ||
County Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable | ||
Local Revenue | $0 | Indeterminable | ||
Local Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable | ||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill establishes the Housing Opportunity Project Extension (HOPE) Act, which indicates the state shall provide $20 million in grants for infrastructure development projects, including but not limited to roads, water, and sewer systems. The bill also allows property transfers between developers and owners to be exempt from real estate transfer taxes and parcels exceeding 10 acres to be exempt from current use taxes. However, the bill fails to identify a funding source or appropriate funds or designate a Department to manage the program. As a result, the impact this bill will have on State, county and local revenues and expenditures are indeterminable.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
None
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 28, 2025 | Senate | Hearing |
Jan. 23, 2025: Hearing: 01/28/2025, Room 100, SH, 09:45 am; SC 7
Jan. 22, 2025: Introduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 3