SB 400, ‘Group Toolbox’ invoice, beneath the gun as Home appears to intestine authentic model
As lawmakers strategy the end line once they meet on Wednesday and Thursday – that is the final week for both chamber to vote on payments earlier than the 2 sides attempt to reconcile variations with the opposite’s model earlier than they’re despatched to Governor Sununu – numerous key payments coping with actual property and development could or could not cross it.
On the high of the record is Home Invoice 400, the so-called “Group Toolbox” invoice, is in peril of not making it. The Senate handed a model that was extra carrot than stick, rewarding housing “champions,” offering coaching for volunteer planning and zoning boards and requiring that workforce housing be afforded the identical incentives as housing for the aged and streamlining the appliance course of.
The Home model limits or deletes a few of these provisions and in addition rolls again earlier laws that required municipalities to incorporate workforce housing of their zoning ordinances by including a clause that exempts areas with out sewer and water. This, say opponents, signifies that cities may deny a workforce housing software even when the developer desires to increase these companies. It additionally added some unrelated provisions that the Senate is unlikely to conform to, resembling making it tougher to permit municipal tax caps. If the modification passes, Democrats and sufficient Republicans will in all probability vote in opposition to the invoice, which may kill it.
However the Home gained’t kill SB 249, though it can doubtless ship it to check. The intent of the laws was to ban native ordinances in opposition to short-term leases, like Airbnb. The invoice would permit municipalities to step up rules, but it surely wasn’t sufficient for many who considered it as inhibiting native management over the rising business.
The Home additionally will in all probability additionally go SB 210, which ought to take away some limitations for manufactured housing park tenants to vote over shopping for the park that they reside ought to the residents attempt to purchase it. The ultimate model of the invoice didn’t embrace a provision to require {that a} majority of all residents, even these not voting, help a deal.
Count on a detailed party-line vote on SB 217, which might double the period of time landlords have to present an eviction discover to tenants from 30 days to 60 days, if they’re doing so to promote, renovate or restore the models. Supporters argue that tenants, who’ve to depart via no fault of their very own, want extra time within the present housing market to search out one other place to reside. Opponents argue that extra regulation means fewer rental properties, which might make the housing scarcity much more acute.
However the vote on SB 371 in all probability gained’t be shut. That invoice would replenish the $3 million Lead Paint Hazard Remediation Fund, which gives interest-free loans to landlords to take away lead on their property. That fund, which has financed lead elimination at some 800 rental models previously, is now depleted.
The Home can be anticipated to go SB 443, which supplies the state Constructing Evaluate Board the power to veto constructing codes which are much less stringent than state codes and would create centralized place for contractors to search for native codes.
In terms of infrastructure, if the Home passes SB 401, some $70 million in state surplus cash would circulation to contractors to work on municipal bridges ($36 million) and roads ($30 million), with further $4.1 million for the street wanted to renovate The Balsams Resort.
It additionally appears just like the Home goes to go SB 438, requiring that state development initiatives of over $1 million have to make use of U.S. metal. Supporters argue that it will assist the U.S. metal business, however opponents argue it can at a value, since contractors are shopping for international metal as a result of it’s cheaper.
However the Home will in all probability kill SB 274, which might prohibit federal necessities for labor agreements and neighborhood advantages in state contracts. Supporters argued that almost all New Hampshire contractors are non-union and wouldn’t go for such agreements, however opponents say that the state may lose some out on some large federal contracts, essential to the state’s infrastructure and improvement.
Over on the Senate, HB 1307 is prone to be killed. The measure tries to restrict the scope of the Housing Appeals Board, which was created in 2020 to present a extra well timed different to the judicial course of for builders to contest selections by native planning and zoning boards, which they are saying can restrict the development of reasonably priced housing.
