New Hampshire budget, debt, and interest

Median gross rent includes contract rent and estimated tenant-paid utilities. Multifamily development and infrastructure rules concern rental supply and costs, without demonstrating new rental units or a change in median rent. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained New Hampshire evidence context: Median gross rent. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

329:1 Zoning; Grant of Power; Parking Ordinances. Amend RSA 674:16, VII to read as follows: VII. In its exercise of the powers granted under this subdivision, the local legislative body of a city, town, or county in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places may regulate accessory parking for vehicles, but shall not require more than one residential parking space per unit or require that the parking space per unit be garaged. 329:2 Multi-Family Residential Development on Commercially Zoned Land; Amendment to Zoning Regulations; Conversion of Multi-Family Dwelling Units Permitted. Amend RSA 674:80, IV to read as follows: IV. [] Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter municipal authority under RSA 674:43, I to require site plan review for multi-family dwelling units. Consistent with the purpose of this section, for multi-family dwelling units proposed in commercial districts existing, created, or expanded after July 1, 2026, municipalities may impose frontage, setbacks, and height requirements; provided that such requirements shall not differ from what is allowed for commercial development. Multi-family dwelling units shall be allowed as a matter of right, and municipalities shall not enforce additional requirements unless expressly authorized by this section. Nothing in this section shall prohibit enforcement of applicable state fire, building, and other requirements under RSA 153, RSA 155-A, and RSA 485-A. V. A municipality shall allow pre-existing nonconforming structures to be converted to multi-family dwelling units or mixed use provided that the structure’s envelope is not altered to further violate zoning district dimensional requirements. VI. Any owner of commercially-zoned property improperly denied an application for multi-family housing, or who is subjected to requirements beyond those allowed in this section, and who is thereby required to file suit against the municipality in order to exercise the property rights thus recognized, shall be entitled to be reimbursed reasonable attorney's fees incurred as a direct result. 329:3 New Chapter; Special Assessment Districts. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 162-U the following new chapter:CHAPTER 162-VSPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS 162-V:1 Authority. The governing body of any city or town may enter into special assessment memorandums of understanding with 60 percent of properties' owners to establish special assessment districts and spending programs for the purpose of financing public infrastructure improvements necessary to serve new development. 162-V:2 Improvements Authorized. I. Infrastructure improvements eligible for financing under this chapter shall include: (a) Roads, sidewalks, street lighting, and traffic control devices; (b) Water mains, sewer lines, stormwater management facilities, and related appurtenances; (c) Utility extensions directly serving the district; and (d) Streetscape or parking improvements incidental to development. II. General government buildings, schools, or facilities that do not directly and specially benefit parcels within the district shall not be financed under this chapter. 162-V:3 Apportionment of Costs. I. Assessments shall be levied only against properties that receive a direct and ascertainable benefit from the improvements. II. The governing body shall determine the method of apportionment, which may include frontage, lot size, number of units, assessed value, or other reasonable metric. III. No parcel shall be assessed in an amount greater than the special benefit conferred upon it. 162-V:4 Financing. I. Municipalities may issue bonds to finance improvements within the district, to be repaid solely from assessments levied under this chapter. II. Assessments may be collected in annual installments over a period not to exceed 20 years. III. Assessments shall constitute a lien on the property with the same priority and enforcement as property taxes. 162-V:5 Procedure. I. Establishment of a district shall require the governing body of any city or town to enter into special assessment memorandums of understanding with 60 percent of properties' owners. II. Notice of the proposed district shall be mailed to each affected property owner and published in a newspaper of general circulation at least 14 days prior to the hearing. 162-V:6 Appeals. Any property owner subject to an assessment may appeal the apportionment of costs to the governing body within 30 days of notice, and thereafter to the superior court pursuant to RSA 677. 162-V:7 Dissolution. A district shall dissolve upon repayment of all obligations or earlier by vote of the governing body, provided all costs have been satisfied. 329:4 Department of Business and Economic Affairs; Expansion of Housing Infrastructure Municipal Grant Program. The department of business and economic affairs shall expand its housing infrastructure municipal grant program to allow for sewer, water, and road upgrades for new housing units. 329:5 Department of Business and Economic Affairs, Appropriation. The sum of $1 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027 is hereby appropriated to the department of business and economic affairs for the purpose of providing grants for sewer, water, and road upgrades for new housing units under its housing infrastructure municipal grant program. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. 329:6 Multi-Family Residential Development on Commercially Zoned Land; Amendment to Zoning Regulations; Conversion of Multi-Family Dwelling Units Permitted. Amend RSA 674:80, V to read as follows: V. [] Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter municipal authority under RSA 674:43, I to require site plan review for multi-family dwelling units. Consistent with the purpose of this section, for multi-family dwelling units proposed in commercial districts existing, created, or expanded after July 1, 2026, municipalities may impose frontage, setbacks, and height requirements; provided that such requirements shall not differ from what is allowed for commercial development. Multi-family dwelling units shall be allowed as a matter of right, and municipalities shall not enforce additional requirements unless expressly authorized by this section. Nothing in this section shall prohibit enforcement of applicable state fire, building, and other requirements under RSA 153, RSA 155-A, and RSA 485-A. VI. A municipality shall allow pre-existing nonconforming structures to be converted to multi-family dwelling units or mixed use provided that the structure’s envelope is not altered to further violate zoning district dimensional requirements. VII. Any owner of commercially-zoned property improperly denied an application for multi-family housing, or who is subjected to requirements beyond those allowed in this section, and who is thereby required to file suit against the municipality in order to exercise the property rights thus recognized, shall be entitled to be reimbursed reasonable attorney's fees incurred as a direct result. 329:7 Contingency. If HB 1010 of the 2026 regular legislative session becomes law, section 2 of this act shall not take effect and section 6 of this act shall take effect 60 days after its passage. If HB 1010 of the 2026 regular legislative session does not become law, section 2 of this act shall take effect 60 days after its passage and section 6 of this act shall not take effect. 329:8 Contingent Renumbering. If HB 1433 of the 2026 regular legislative session becomes law: RSA 162-V as inserted by section 3 of this act shall be renumbered as RSA 162-X. If HB 1433 of the 2026 regular legislative session does not become law: RSA 162-V as inserted by section 3 of this act shall be renumbered as RSA 162-W. 329:9 Effective Date. I. Sections 2 and 6 of this act shall take effect as provided in section 7 of this act. II. The remainder of this act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Median gross rent includes contract rent and estimated tenant-paid utilities. Multifamily development and infrastructure rules concern rental supply and costs, without demonstrating new rental units or a change in median rent. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained New Hampshire evidence context: Median gross rent. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

329:1 Zoning; Grant of Power; Parking Ordinances. Amend RSA 674:16, VII to read as follows: VII. In its exercise of the powers granted under this subdivision, the local legislative body of a city, town, or county in which there are located unincorporated towns or unorganized places may regulate accessory parking for vehicles, but shall not require more than one residential parking space per unit or require that the parking space per unit be garaged. 329:2 Multi-Family Residential Development on Commercially Zoned Land; Amendment to Zoning Regulations; Conversion of Multi-Family Dwelling Units Permitted. Amend RSA 674:80, IV to read as follows: IV. [] Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter municipal authority under RSA 674:43, I to require site plan review for multi-family dwelling units. Consistent with the purpose of this section, for multi-family dwelling units proposed in commercial districts existing, created, or expanded after July 1, 2026, municipalities may impose frontage, setbacks, and height requirements; provided that such requirements shall not differ from what is allowed for commercial development. Multi-family dwelling units shall be allowed as a matter of right, and municipalities shall not enforce additional requirements unless expressly authorized by this section. Nothing in this section shall prohibit enforcement of applicable state fire, building, and other requirements under RSA 153, RSA 155-A, and RSA 485-A. V. A municipality shall allow pre-existing nonconforming structures to be converted to multi-family dwelling units or mixed use provided that the structure’s envelope is not altered to further violate zoning district dimensional requirements. VI. Any owner of commercially-zoned property improperly denied an application for multi-family housing, or who is subjected to requirements beyond those allowed in this section, and who is thereby required to file suit against the municipality in order to exercise the property rights thus recognized, shall be entitled to be reimbursed reasonable attorney's fees incurred as a direct result. 329:3 New Chapter; Special Assessment Districts. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 162-U the following new chapter:CHAPTER 162-VSPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS 162-V:1 Authority. The governing body of any city or town may enter into special assessment memorandums of understanding with 60 percent of properties' owners to establish special assessment districts and spending programs for the purpose of financing public infrastructure improvements necessary to serve new development. 162-V:2 Improvements Authorized. I. Infrastructure improvements eligible for financing under this chapter shall include: (a) Roads, sidewalks, street lighting, and traffic control devices; (b) Water mains, sewer lines, stormwater management facilities, and related appurtenances; (c) Utility extensions directly serving the district; and (d) Streetscape or parking improvements incidental to development. II. General government buildings, schools, or facilities that do not directly and specially benefit parcels within the district shall not be financed under this chapter. 162-V:3 Apportionment of Costs. I. Assessments shall be levied only against properties that receive a direct and ascertainable benefit from the improvements. II. The governing body shall determine the method of apportionment, which may include frontage, lot size, number of units, assessed value, or other reasonable metric. III. No parcel shall be assessed in an amount greater than the special benefit conferred upon it. 162-V:4 Financing. I. Municipalities may issue bonds to finance improvements within the district, to be repaid solely from assessments levied under this chapter. II. Assessments may be collected in annual installments over a period not to exceed 20 years. III. Assessments shall constitute a lien on the property with the same priority and enforcement as property taxes. 162-V:5 Procedure. I. Establishment of a district shall require the governing body of any city or town to enter into special assessment memorandums of understanding with 60 percent of properties' owners. II. Notice of the proposed district shall be mailed to each affected property owner and published in a newspaper of general circulation at least 14 days prior to the hearing. 162-V:6 Appeals. Any property owner subject to an assessment may appeal the apportionment of costs to the governing body within 30 days of notice, and thereafter to the superior court pursuant to RSA 677. 162-V:7 Dissolution. A district shall dissolve upon repayment of all obligations or earlier by vote of the governing body, provided all costs have been satisfied. 329:4 Department of Business and Economic Affairs; Expansion of Housing Infrastructure Municipal Grant Program. The department of business and economic affairs shall expand its housing infrastructure municipal grant program to allow for sewer, water, and road upgrades for new housing units. 329:5 Department of Business and Economic Affairs, Appropriation. The sum of $1 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027 is hereby appropriated to the department of business and economic affairs for the purpose of providing grants for sewer, water, and road upgrades for new housing units under its housing infrastructure municipal grant program. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. 329:6 Multi-Family Residential Development on Commercially Zoned Land; Amendment to Zoning Regulations; Conversion of Multi-Family Dwelling Units Permitted. Amend RSA 674:80, V to read as follows: V. [] Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter municipal authority under RSA 674:43, I to require site plan review for multi-family dwelling units. Consistent with the purpose of this section, for multi-family dwelling units proposed in commercial districts existing, created, or expanded after July 1, 2026, municipalities may impose frontage, setbacks, and height requirements; provided that such requirements shall not differ from what is allowed for commercial development. Multi-family dwelling units shall be allowed as a matter of right, and municipalities shall not enforce additional requirements unless expressly authorized by this section. Nothing in this section shall prohibit enforcement of applicable state fire, building, and other requirements under RSA 153, RSA 155-A, and RSA 485-A. VI. A municipality shall allow pre-existing nonconforming structures to be converted to multi-family dwelling units or mixed use provided that the structure’s envelope is not altered to further violate zoning district dimensional requirements. VII. Any owner of commercially-zoned property improperly denied an application for multi-family housing, or who is subjected to requirements beyond those allowed in this section, and who is thereby required to file suit against the municipality in order to exercise the property rights thus recognized, shall be entitled to be reimbursed reasonable attorney's fees incurred as a direct result. 329:7 Contingency. If HB 1010 of the 2026 regular legislative session becomes law, section 2 of this act shall not take effect and section 6 of this act shall take effect 60 days after its passage. If HB 1010 of the 2026 regular legislative session does not become law, section 2 of this act shall take effect 60 days after its passage and section 6 of this act shall not take effect. 329:8 Contingent Renumbering. If HB 1433 of the 2026 regular legislative session becomes law: RSA 162-V as inserted by section 3 of this act shall be renumbered as RSA 162-X. If HB 1433 of the 2026 regular legislative session does not become law: RSA 162-V as inserted by section 3 of this act shall be renumbered as RSA 162-W. 329:9 Effective Date. I. Sections 2 and 6 of this act shall take effect as provided in section 7 of this act. II. The remainder of this act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Registered-voter turnout divides ballots cast by registered voters. Registration-document procedures concern access to registration and the denominator, without establishing that participation increased or that the earlier turnout changed. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained New Hampshire evidence context: Registered-voter turnout. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

68:1 New Paragraph; Voter Identification; Proof of Citizenship. Amend RSA 654:12 by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph: II-a.(a) If a person claiming to be qualified to vote is unable to provide reasonable documentation establishing that the person is a citizen of the United States, at the request of such person, the supervisors of the checklist, the city or town clerk, or other authorized election official shall attempt to confirm the person’s citizenship through the office of the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall make reasonable efforts to determine whether the person is a United States citizen by accessing relevant and available in-state, out-of-state, and federal databases that contain such information. However, if the request to verify citizenship status is made on election day, neither local election officials nor the secretary of state shall be required to expend such time or effort on citizenship verification as would unreasonably interfere with their other election day duties. If the person’s United States citizenship is verified, the secretary of state shall notify the local election official, and the citizenship criteria for voting shall be deemed satisfied. The local official shall then note on the person’s voter registration application form “U.S. citizenship verified” and shall indicate on the form the date and the basis upon which such verification was made. (b) If a person claiming to be qualified to vote asserts that he or she is unable due to indigency to provide documentation to establish that he or she is a United States citizen, and if efforts to verify the person’s citizenship pursuant to subparagraph (a) are not successful, the city or town clerk or the secretary of state may request such person to complete a financial affidavit on a form developed for this purpose by the secretary of state. If, based upon criteria established by the secretary of state, it appears that the person qualifies as indigent, the clerk or the secretary may provide the person with a voucher sufficient to cover the cost for the person to obtain a certified copy of the person’s birth certificate or other equivalent documentation to establish the person’s status as a United States citizen. The person shall be specifically informed that it is the person’s responsibility to communicate with the appropriate vital records agency in the state of the person’s birth and to use the funds provided through the voucher to pay any required fee to obtain the person’s birth certificate or equivalent proof of citizenship, and that such documentation shall be provided to the local election officials on or before the day of the election in order for the person to satisfy the citizenship criteria for voting. The secretary of state shall reimburse local municipalities for the costs of all vouchers issued by city or town clerks pursuant to this subparagraph. 68:2 Appropriation; Secretary of State. There is hereby appropriated to the secretary of state the sum of $50,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 2027, for the purpose of reimbursing local municipalities for the costs of vouchers to pay any required fee to obtain a potential voter's birth certificate or equivalent proof of citizenship under RSA 654:12, II-a(b). The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. 68:3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Registered-voter turnout divides ballots cast by registered voters. Registration-document procedures concern access to registration and the denominator, without establishing that participation increased or that the earlier turnout changed. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained New Hampshire evidence context: Registered-voter turnout. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

68:1 New Paragraph; Voter Identification; Proof of Citizenship. Amend RSA 654:12 by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph: II-a.(a) If a person claiming to be qualified to vote is unable to provide reasonable documentation establishing that the person is a citizen of the United States, at the request of such person, the supervisors of the checklist, the city or town clerk, or other authorized election official shall attempt to confirm the person’s citizenship through the office of the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall make reasonable efforts to determine whether the person is a United States citizen by accessing relevant and available in-state, out-of-state, and federal databases that contain such information. However, if the request to verify citizenship status is made on election day, neither local election officials nor the secretary of state shall be required to expend such time or effort on citizenship verification as would unreasonably interfere with their other election day duties. If the person’s United States citizenship is verified, the secretary of state shall notify the local election official, and the citizenship criteria for voting shall be deemed satisfied. The local official shall then note on the person’s voter registration application form “U.S. citizenship verified” and shall indicate on the form the date and the basis upon which such verification was made. (b) If a person claiming to be qualified to vote asserts that he or she is unable due to indigency to provide documentation to establish that he or she is a United States citizen, and if efforts to verify the person’s citizenship pursuant to subparagraph (a) are not successful, the city or town clerk or the secretary of state may request such person to complete a financial affidavit on a form developed for this purpose by the secretary of state. If, based upon criteria established by the secretary of state, it appears that the person qualifies as indigent, the clerk or the secretary may provide the person with a voucher sufficient to cover the cost for the person to obtain a certified copy of the person’s birth certificate or other equivalent documentation to establish the person’s status as a United States citizen. The person shall be specifically informed that it is the person’s responsibility to communicate with the appropriate vital records agency in the state of the person’s birth and to use the funds provided through the voucher to pay any required fee to obtain the person’s birth certificate or equivalent proof of citizenship, and that such documentation shall be provided to the local election officials on or before the day of the election in order for the person to satisfy the citizenship criteria for voting. The secretary of state shall reimburse local municipalities for the costs of all vouchers issued by city or town clerks pursuant to this subparagraph. 68:2 Appropriation; Secretary of State. There is hereby appropriated to the secretary of state the sum of $50,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 2027, for the purpose of reimbursing local municipalities for the costs of vouchers to pay any required fee to obtain a potential voter's birth certificate or equivalent proof of citizenship under RSA 654:12, II-a(b). The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. 68:3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.