SB 490 (2026): establishing a task force to assess the development of housing at Great Bay community college and authorizing the college the right to use vacant property for the purpose of developing housing.

SB 490 (2026)

establishing a task force to assess the development of housing at Great Bay community college and authorizing the college the right to use vacant property for the purpose of developing housing.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Housing
• Senate committee: Executive Departments and Administration
• Subject: Housing
• Chapter law: 255

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Executive Departments and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 14, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 3–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0118s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0118s) was adopted on a voice vote on January 29, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On January 29, 2026 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 February 19, 2026 and was referred to the House Housing committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 7, 2026, with 7 people signed in online: 7 in support. The committee met in executive session on April 21, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 14–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1573h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1573h) was adopted on a voice vote on May 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 7, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On May 14, 2026 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Howard Pearl. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2026-2147e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 255 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Debra Altschiller (D - SD24)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Rep. Patricia Cornell (D - Hills 22)
• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Rep. Jennifer Mandelbaum (D - Rock 21)
• Rep. David Meuse (D - Rock 37)
• Rep. Michael Moffett (R - Merr 4)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Sen. Suzanne Prentiss (D - SD5)
• Sen. Tara Reardon (D - SD15)
• Sen. Cindy Rosenwald (D - SD13)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 14, 2026, 10:00 AM: hearing, Senate Executive Departments and Administration, SH 103
• January 29, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• April 7, 2026, 10:30 AM: public hearing, House Housing, GP 231
• April 21, 2026, 10:30 AM: executive session, House Housing, GP 231
• May 7, 2026: consent calendar, House
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• January 29, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0118s — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1573h — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 12-G
• RSA 12-G:13-a

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 1
• SC 3
• SJ 2
• HJ 5, page 124
• HC 18, page 9
• HJ 12, page 13
• SJ 12
• HJ 15, pages 43 and 52
• SJ 14