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.

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.