New Hampshire Senate advances two housing bills, approves firearm liability changes and pauses several health care measures

The New Hampshire Senate on May 20 moved several major bills forward and disposed of others after floor debate that focused on housing, liability for firearms manufacturers and rules for new health‑care delivery models.

Supporters and opponents clashed over two housing measures that backers say will increase housing supply by easing local restrictions. The chamber also approved committee amendments to a firearms liability bill aimed at narrowing some product‑liability claims against manufacturers, and it advanced a separate bill that would repeal the state license requirement for pistol and revolver sales. Lawmakers also voted to hold several health‑care proposals in committee as not ready for passage.

Why it matters: The housing measures, if enacted, would change local zoning outcomes in ways advocates say will speed conversions of vacant retail and office space into housing and expand options for lower‑cost manufactured homes. Proposals on firearm liability and licensing attracted attention for their potential effects on litigation and on gun‑related businesses in the state. Health‑care measures that were set aside raised questions about access and regulatory protections for patients and communities.

Housing: multifamily in commercial zones and manufactured homes

House Bill 6‑31, sponsored on the floor by Senator Steven Innes for the Commerce Committee, would require municipalities to permit multifamily residential development in commercially zoned areas while allowing communities to set infrastructure conditions and preserve limits such as industrial exclusions and ground‑floor retail requirements. In debate, proponents said the change would enable faster reuse of vacant retail and office buildings, improve walkability and restore mixed‑use patterns common to New England towns. Opponents described it as an unfunded mandate that would require small towns to hire consultants and revise master plans, imposing costs and potential legal exposure on municipalities.

After debate, the Senate’s Commerce Committee…