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Committee interim-studies companion zoning bills HB 459 and SB 84 amid broader review of municipal zoning
Summary
The committee placed HB 459 and its companion SB 84 into interim study after members said the bills address a severe housing crisis but that technical municipal implementation needs more work. A recently enacted RSA provision was cited as relevant to the bills’ scope.
The House Housing Committee voted 16-0 Tuesday to interim study HB 459 and its companion SB 84, two bills aimed at changing municipal zoning to increase housing capacity.
Chairman Alexander said the bills were filed because “we have a severe housing crisis” and that they are intended to “move the needle.” He said research suggests some municipalities already comply with provisions similar to those in the bills, but that the committee can use more time to examine municipal implementation.
Representative Holland noted a related statutory change: “RSA 6 74 43 8, which is the patterns in zoning, actually became law,” and said that the statute touches on lot sizes, setbacks and expedited procedures for infill and subdivision. Holland argued that the committee’s interim study should focus on the practical, “nuts and bolts” steps a municipality would need to convert enabling language into an ordinance.
The committee made separate roll-call votes for HB 459 and SB 84 because they are companion bills; each motion to interim study passed 16-0 and both bills were placed on the committee’s consent calendar.
Chairman Alexander said the legislature also has a commission studying the state Zoning Enabling Act, and he expressed a preference to allow that commission’s work to inform future action on the bills. No amendments or implementation timelines were adopted during the session.
Both bills will await further committee review and stakeholder input as part of the interim study process.
