1 Findings and Purpose. The general court finds that:

I. Municipalities across New Hampshire have suffered flood damage due to extreme weather events that overwhelm aging and insufficient stormwater infrastructure. Municipalities must develop prevention and mitigation strategies to protect the safety of their communities.

II. It is in the public interest to allow municipalities, at their local option, to plan proactively for flood resilience, ensuring protection of public safety, property, and municipal infrastructure without imposing new state mandates or costs.

2 Master Plan; Purpose and Description. Amend RSA 674:2, III(e) to read as follows:

(e) A natural hazards section which documents the physical characteristics, severity, frequency, and extent of any potential natural hazards to the community. It should identify those elements of the built environment at risk from natural hazards as well as extent of current and future vulnerability that may result from current zoning and development policies .

3 Master Plan; Purpose and Description. Amend RSA 674:2, III(o) to read as follows:

(o) A coastal management section which may address planning needs resulting from projected coastal property or habitat loss due to increased frequency of storm surge, flooding, and inundation .

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

1 Findings and Purpose. The general court finds that:

I. Municipalities across New Hampshire have suffered flood damage due to extreme weather events that overwhelm aging and insufficient stormwater infrastructure. Municipalities must develop prevention and mitigation strategies to protect the safety of their communities.

II. It is in the public interest to allow municipalities, at their local option, to plan proactively for flood resilience, ensuring protection of public safety, property, and municipal infrastructure without imposing new state mandates or costs.

2 Master Plan; Purpose and Description. Amend RSA 674:2, III(e) to read as follows:

(e) A natural hazards section which identifies areas susceptible to flooding, landslides, forest fire, or other hazards, assesses the risks, and proposes mitigation measures, including reference, where applicable, to any flood resilience planning conducted underRSA 674:2, III(o) .

3 Master Plan; Purpose and Description. Amend RSA 674:2, III(o) to read as follows:

(o) A coastal and inland flood resilience management section , which may address planning needs resulting from projected coastal property or habitat loss due to increased frequency of storm surge, flooding, and inundation , as well as inland flooding, riverine inundation, erosion, and related hazards, and provide guidance for the protection of people, property, habitat, and infrastructure, including considerations for evacuation routes, emergency access, and public safety in areas subject to flood risk. Inclusion of such a section shall be at the option of the municipality as provided in this paragraph .

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.