HB 631-FN (2025): permitting residential building in commercial zoning.

HB 631-FN (2025)

permitting residential building in commercial zoning.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Housing
• Senate committee: Commerce
• Subject: Housing
• Chapter law: 201

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the House Housing committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 4, 2025, with 94 people signed in online: 47 in support, 46 in opposition and 1 as neutral. The committee held a work session on February 11, 2025. The committee met in executive session on February 11, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 17–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0667h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-0667h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 20, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 20, 2025 the House rejected a motion to kill it and bar the subject for the rest of the term on a roll call 128–211, on a motion by Rep. Katelyn Kuttab. On March 20, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 204–134. It crossed to the Senate on March 20, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Commerce committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 10, 2025. The committee voted 5–1 to recommend that the Senate pass it. On May 8, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. The bill was enrolled on June 26, 2025 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 15, 2025, making it Chapter 201 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Alissandra Murray (D - Hills 20) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Jodi Newell (D - Ches 4)
• Rep. Christine Seibert (D - Hills 21)
• Rep. Ross Berry (R - Hills 44)
• Rep. Diane Pauer (R - Hills 36)
• Rep. Joe Sweeney (R - Rock 25)
• Rep. Jessica Grill (D - Hills 18)
• Rep. Kris Schultz (D - Merr 29)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)
• Rep. Heath Howard (D - Straf 4)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 4, 2025, 1:30 PM: public hearing, House Housing, LOB 305
• February 11, 2025, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Housing, LOB 305
• February 11, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Housing, LOB 305
• March 20, 2025: floor debate, House
• April 10, 2025, 10:15 AM: hearing, Senate Commerce, SH 100
• May 8, 2025: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• March 20, 2025, House: Indefinitely Postpone — yeas 128, nays 211, failed
• March 20, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0667h — yeas 204, nays 134, passed
• May 8, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 674

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 16
• SC 20