This bill requires New Hampshire municipalities to allow homeowners to build one accessory dwelling unit, such as a garage conversion or an addition, on their single-family property without needing special approval. It defines these units as separate living spaces with their own kitchen and bathroom and sets minimum size limits of 1,000 square feet for at least one unit. While towns can still require owner occupancy and enforce parking or aesthetic rules, they cannot mandate familial relationships between residents or restrict units to a single bedroom. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that municipalities must permit the conversion of existing structures like detached garages into these units even if they do not currently meet setback or lot coverage standards.
This bill, known as the New Hampshire Property Protection Act, would limit when government officials can enter private property without a court warrant. It defines "secured premises" as areas posted with signs, fences, or other barriers intended to keep intruders out and requires agents to obtain a warrant unless they have the property owner's permission or face an immediate life-threatening emergency. The law mandates that agents activate body cameras during entry, show warrants to owners if present, and prohibits seizing private property without a warrant or valid emergency justification. Furthermore, any evidence gathered or arrests made in violation of these rules would be considered invalid in court. The legislation specifically excludes conservation officers from these requirements, allowing them to continue enforcing wildlife laws on private land.
This bill requires the state Attorney General to send written notices to hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and other service providers detailing specific rights for sexual assault survivors. The notice would inform these entities about rights such as receiving free medical exams, accessing victim compensation, and understanding how evidence collection kits are stored and preserved. Additionally, the bill mandates that healthcare providers and law officers make a reasonable effort to share this information directly with survivors. Finally, the Attorney General must make this information publicly available on their official website.
HB 1227 proposed to extend the hours for selling alcoholic beverages at bars and restaurants from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m., with the option for local cities and towns to allow sales until 3:00 a.m. through their own ordinances. The bill also sought to change the standard weekly sales window to run until 2:00 a.m. instead of 1:00 a.m. However, the legislation did not become law because the House Commerce Committee voted that it was inappropriate to proceed with the bill, effectively killing it.
Inexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 05/16/2024; SJ 13
This bill would have required state construction contracts to mandate the separation of hazardous materials from general construction and demolition debris at the job site before transport. The provision aimed to clarify that "construction and demolition debris" carries the same legal definition found in existing environmental statutes. Although the bill introduced a specific requirement for waste management protocols, it was ultimately killed by the legislature on May 15, 2024, due to a determination that it was inexpedient to legislate.
This bill would require the Secretary of State to publish the location of enrolled bills on a public website until the governor signs or vetoes them. The change aims to make it easier for the public to track legislation that has passed the legislature but is still awaiting final approval. It applies to all bills and resolutions forwarded to the office of legislative services for enrollment. The bill would take effect 60 days after passage, though it was ultimately killed in the legislature.
This bill would declare all regulations from the federal Environmental Protection Agency invalid within New Hampshire and prohibit local governments from enforcing or collaborating with the agency. It asserts that the EPA lacks constitutional authority and mandates that the state's Department of Environmental Services handle all environmental protection rules instead. The legislation directly affects counties, cities, towns, and other local entities by removing their ability to comply with federal Clean Water Act requirements. Although the bill proposes a committee to study municipal compliance, the final text instead voids federal mandates and shifts full environmental regulatory responsibility to the state.
HB 1620 would have paused the issuance of permits for new landfills in New Hampshire until July 1, 2031, to ensure future sites are chosen carefully and align with state waste management goals. While the bill would stop approvals for entirely new facilities, it allowed existing landfills permitted before December 1, 2022, to expand or modify their operations on the same property. The Department of Environmental Services would have continued to review applications but would not have been required to make final decisions within standard time limits during the suspension. Ultimately, the bill did not become law because the House voted to kill it on May 15, 2024.
This bill would have changed how the state evaluates the cost-effectiveness of utility energy programs by updating the specific tests used for review. It directs regulators to use the Granite State Test as the primary method and the Total Resource Cost test as a secondary method for programs running through 2026. Additionally, the bill required that planned energy savings from electric utilities must be at least 65 percent of their overall annual savings goals. The legislation was ultimately killed by the legislature and did not become law.
HB 1632 proposed a limit on out-of-state solid waste by capping the amount accepted at facilities receiving new permits at 15 percent. The bill specifically excluded facilities that were fully permitted before the law would have taken effect or those seeking to expand existing permits. It was designed to prioritize local waste management over imported materials but was ultimately killed by the legislature in May 2024.
Inexpedient to Legislate: MA DV 194-154 05/09/2024 HJ 13 P. 73
