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Committee adopts conditional-deposit compromise after heated debate, advances HB 1336 on 9-8 vote
Summary
The committee adopted amendment 0763h to HB 1336, a negotiated ‘regulated conditional deposit’ tool intended to let housing providers use a limited additional instrument where tenants otherwise would be excluded; the amendment and final ‘ought to pass as amended’ motion carried 9-8 after members debated whether the measure placed extra burden on low-income households.
The House Housing Committee advanced HB 1336, approving amendment 0763h in a narrow vote and then recommending the bill ‘ought to pass as amended’ on a 9-8 roll call after an extended and at times emotional debate.
Chairman Alexander, speaking in favor of the compromise amendment that was negotiated between housing providers and New Hampshire Legal Assistance, said the measure offers ‘‘an innovative way to expand housing access’’ for applicants landlords otherwise would not rent to.
"This amendment is a innovative way and highly transparent and accountable tool," Chairman Alexander said. "These housing providers must provide all these accountability [measures]."
Opponents including Representative Page and Representative Reed urged caution. Representative Page said the criteria used to trigger a double or conditional deposit often identify households already in severe financial distress and that doubling the amount owed (or the complexity of deposits) could harm nonprofit partners that currently provide first-month rent or security-deposit assistance.
Representative Reed said the likely beneficiaries are not the people the committee intends to help, and warned that doubling expected fundraising or payment requirements could unintentionally block access.
The committee adopted the amendment by show of hands and later approved the final motion 'ought to pass as amended' with a 9-8 roll-call result. The record shows a minority report will be filed. The committee placed the measure on the regular calendar.
What it does: As amended, HB 1336 creates a narrowly defined, regulated conditional-deposit option that landlords may offer under specified circumstances (the amendment includes transparency and accountability requirements described in testimony). Supporters say it will create housing opportunities for applicants who otherwise would be excluded; critics say it imposes new costs and risks on low-income households and nonprofit intermediaries.
Next steps: The bill will proceed to the House calendar with a majority and minority report; committee staff will circulate the reports and the amendment language to stakeholders.
