SB 281 (2025): prohibiting municipalities from denying building or occupancy permits for property adjacent to class VI roads under certain circumstances.

SB 281 (2025)

prohibiting municipalities from denying building or occupancy permits for property adjacent to class VI roads under certain circumstances.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Housing
• Senate committee: Commerce
• Subject: Housing
• Chapter law: 256

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the Senate Commerce committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 4, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 6–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0947s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-0947s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 20, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 20, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 27, 2025 and was referred to the House Housing committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 8, 2025, with 28 people signed in online: 5 in support and 23 in opposition. The committee held a public hearing on April 15, 2025, with 36 people signed in online: 8 in support and 28 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on May 6, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 17–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On May 22, 2025 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. 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 256 of the session laws. It took effect on July 1, 2026.

Sponsors

• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Rep. Jason Osborne (R - Rock 2)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Rep. Joe Alexander (R - Hills 29)

Hearings and Sessions

• March 4, 2025, 10:45 AM: hearing, Senate Commerce, SH 100
• March 20, 2025: consent calendar, Senate
• April 8, 2025, 11:30 AM: public hearing, House Housing, LOB 305
• April 15, 2025, 1:00 PM: public hearing, House Housing, LOB 302-304
• May 6, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Housing, LOB 305
• May 22, 2025: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 20, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0947s — voice vote, passed
• May 22, 2025, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 674:41

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 11
• SC 13
• House Calendar 25, 2025, committee report