HB 1783-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-3173
07/06
HOUSE BILL 1783-FN
AN ACT relative to benefits issued to certain water-related infrastructure projects.
SPONSORS: Rep. Muns, Rock. 29; Rep. Booras, Hills. 8; Rep. de Vries, Rock. 29; Rep. Hegner, Hills. 41; Rep. Howland, Straf. 20; Rep. Lane, Merr. 16; Rep. Maggiore, Rock. 23; Rep. Read, Rock. 10; Rep. Stavis, Graf. 13; Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21
COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development
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ANALYSIS
This bill enables the department of environmental services to confer certain benefits to certain water-based infrastructure projects.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-3173
07/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to benefits issued to certain water-related infrastructure projects.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraph; The State and Its Government; New Hampshire Housing Champion Designation and Grant Program; Champion Benefits. Amend RSA 12-O:73 by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph:
III. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any innovative community based or regional water or wastewater treatment project determined by the department of environmental services to enable the construction of residential properties on smaller lot sizes in accordance with RSA 489-D shall be entitled to receive from the department of business and economic affairs, at its discretion, priority consideration for available grants from the housing champion designation and grant program.
2 New Section; Towns, Cities, Village Districts, and Unincorporated Places; New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank; Collective Municipal Economic Development Projects; Agreements. Amend RSA 35-A by inserting after section 42 the following new section:
35-A:43 Support for Water and Wastewater Treatment Projects. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any innovative community-based or regional water or wastewater treatment project determined by the department of environmental services to enable the construction of residential properties on smaller lot sizes in accordance with RSA 489-D shall be entitled to receive preferred financing rates from the municipal bond bank.
3 New Chapter; Water and Wastewater Treatment Projects. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 489-C the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 489-D
WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT PROJECTS
489-D:1 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to encourage the development and installation of community and/or regional innovative water and wastewater treatment options that will enable the construction of residential properties on smaller lot sizes.
489-D:2 Definitions. As used in this chapter:
I. "Community based or regional water options" means community or regional small scale wells, as defined in RSA 485-C:2, XVII, that may assist in reducing the minimum lot size required for any one single residence.
II. "Community based or regional wastewater treatment options" are community or regional small scale sewage disposal systems, as defined in RSA 485-A:2, XI; wastewater treatment plants, as defined in RSA 485-A:2, XVI-a; and/or wastewater facilities, as defined in RSA 485-A:2, XIX, that may assist in reducing the minimum lot size required for any one single residence.
III. "Department" means the department of environmental services.
489-D:3 Administrative Actions.
I. The department shall determine whether an innovative community based or regional water option or innovative community based or regional wastewater treatment option presented to it will, in fact, enable the construction of residential properties on smaller lot sizes.
II. If the department determines that such innovative community based or regional water option or innovative community based or regional wastewater treatment option will enable the construction of residential properties on smaller lot sizes, it shall be entitled to receive from the department, at its discretion, at least one of the following:
(a) Priority consideration for available grants;
(b) Expedited regulatory approval; or
(c) Exemptions from certain permitting requirements, as determined by the department.
4 Department of Environmental Services; Directive. The department of environmental services, pursuant to RSA 488, shall adopt statewide or regional water-use standards for rental and owner-occupied residences.
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
26-3173
Revised 1/7/26
HB 1783-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to benefits issued to certain water-related infrastructure projects.
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding.
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | $10,000 to $100,000 | $10,000 to $100,000 | $10,000 to $100,000 | ||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill authorizes the Department of Environmental Services to determine whether certain innovative community based or regional water and wastewater treatment projects enable residential development on smaller lot sizes and, if so, to provide discretionary benefits including priority consideration for grants, expedited regulatory approval, and exemptions from certain permitting requirements. The bill also authorizes eligible projects to receive preferred financing rates from the Municipal Bond Bank and directs the Department to adopt statewide or regional water use standards.
The Department of Environmental Services states this bill would increase state expenditures. This bill requires the Department to perform new determinations related to innovative water and wastewater projects, adopt new water use standards, and potentially modify existing financial assistance and regulatory processes to support housing related infrastructure. While existing staff can perform the work, the Department states that additional funding would be required because federal funds cannot be used for activities related to promoting new housing development. The Department estimates these costs would be between $10,000 and $100,000 per fiscal year beginning in FY 2027 and would require a General Fund appropriation.
Lastly, the Department of Environmental Services states this bill would have no direct fiscal impact on local governments. The fiscal impact to municipalities is permissive and indeterminable, as participation is optional and any impact would depend on whether a municipality chooses to pursue preferred financing rates or other benefits authorized by this bill.
The Department of Business and Economic Affairs states this bill can be administered within the Department’s existing operating budget.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Environmental Services and Department of Business and Economic Affairs
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 28, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Feb. 18, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| Feb. 18, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
Feb. 26, 2026: Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/18/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC)
Feb. 11, 2026: Executive Session: 02/18/2026 10:05 am GP 228
Jan. 21, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/28/2026 03:00 pm GP 228
Dec. 17, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 1