EDA committee tables energy-code bill, approves building-code limits; several measures pass or are retained

The House Executive Departments and Administration committee on an executive session advanced, tabled or amended a slate of bills on matters ranging from building and energy codes to administrative housekeeping and the Office of the Consumer Advocate.

The most contested items included a recommendation that the chamber not act on a bill to adopt the 2021 energy code, a separate amendment to preserve municipal administrative amendments to the state building code while barring technical upgrades by local governments, and a decision to retain review of the Office of the Consumer Advocate for further study.

Why it matters: votes on building and energy codes affect housing costs, access to federal energy funds and how municipalities regulate construction. The committee’s decisions will shape what reaches the full House calendar and what returns to subcommittees for further work.

Committee members voted 12–4 to recommend ITL (inexpedient to legislate) on House Bill 96, which would have moved state adoption toward the 2021 energy code rather than waiting on the 2024 model. Representative Lamb argued that falling behind the newer code could forfeit federal funding opportunities: "If we don't get our energy code up to date, we miss the opportunity to unlock federal funding for New Hampshire," Lamb said, citing programs such as the Inflation Reduction Act and Department of Energy grant opportunities. Opponents said potential added construction costs would worsen housing affordability; Representative Long said, "My constituents are very concerned about the cost of housing… I would vote for this bill at the right time, but I'm not going to today."

The committe…