HB 1120 - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2583
06/08
HOUSE BILL 1120
AN ACT allowing subdivision regulations concerning water supply.
SPONSORS: Rep. McGhee, Hills. 35; Rep. B. Boyd, Hills. 12; Rep. N. Murphy, Hills. 12; Rep. K. Murray, Rock. 22; Rep. Rung, Hills. 12; Rep. Perez, Rock. 16
COMMITTEE: Housing
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ANALYSIS
This bill allows the adoption of subdivision regulations that require water supply studies, determination of adequate water quantity for reasonably anticipated future water uses, and minimum on-lot private well testing requirements for subdivisions of 4 or more units. This bill also clarifies the applicant's duty to pay associated costs.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2583
06/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT allowing subdivision regulations concerning water supply.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Subparagraphs; Planning and Zoning; Subdivision Regulations; Water Supply. Amend RSA 674:36, II by inserting after subparagraph (o) the following new subparagraphs:
(p) Local planning boards may request a water supply study in accordance with local regulations to ensure water adequacy in subdivisions of 4 or more units. Water studies for new subdivisions are discretionary and fall under the jurisdiction of local planning boards. This provision shall not apply to community water systems or large groundwater withdrawals regulated under RSA 485 and RSA 485-C.
(q) Include provisions to ensure there is an adequate water quantity to support existing, proposed, and reasonably anticipated future land and associated water uses, and to ensure the protection of water-dependent natural resources. Such provisions shall be established and administered in accordance with plans developed and approved under RSA 674:2. This provision shall not apply to community water systems or large groundwater withdrawals regulated under RSA 485 and RSA 485-C.
(r) Prescribe minimum on-lot private well testing requirements to ensure an adequate water supply. This provision shall not apply to community water systems or large groundwater withdrawals regulated under RSA 485 and RSA 485-C.
2 New Paragraph; Planning and Zoning; Subdivision Regulations; Costs. Amend RSA 674:36 by inserting after paragraph VI the following new paragraph:
VII. The planning board may, as part of its subdivision regulations, require an applicant to pay for notifying abutters and may assess reasonable costs for local administrative or investigative expenses deemed necessary for more complex applications.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 22, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Jan. 22, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Feb. 3, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
Jan. 28, 2026: Executive Session: 02/03/2026 10:00 am GP 231
Jan. 14, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/22/2026 03:00 pm GP 231
Jan. 8, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/22/2026 03:00 pm GP 231
Dec. 1, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Housing