SB 0021

CHAPTER 262

SB 21 - FINAL VERSION

AN ACT establishing a commission to develop recommendations for legislation to reduce regulatory barriers to and possible incentives for the creation of affordable housing in order to encourage the development of such housing.

SPONSORS: Sen. Hollingworth, Dist 23; Sen. McCarley, Dist 6; Sen. Larsen, Dist 15; Rep. Konys, Hills 33

This bill establishes a commission to develop recommendations for legislation to reduce regulatory barriers to the creation of affordable housing.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

262:1 Declaration of Purpose. The general court has recently recognized that an acute shortage of housing affordable to a large number of working households, individuals with disabilities, and families with members with disabilities in this state is approaching crisis proportions and that for households on fixed or low incomes, the shortage of affordable housing, with the resulting increase in housing costs, presents an immediate threat of homelessness. The general court has also found that this situation threatens to undermine the state's capacity for economic growth by limiting the ability of employers to attract and retain workers. The general court has further found that local land use ordinances and other government regulations may create barriers to a response by the market to the demand for affordable housing. The general court now finds that it is necessary to act to encourage the private and non-profit sectors to address the critical shortage of affordable housing by reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers and encouraging the development of such housing. The commission established by this act is intended to recommend legislation that can accomplish this important goal without compromising the legitimate environmental, health, and safety concerns of local communities.

262:2 Commission Established. There is established a commission to develop and recommend legislation aimed at reducing regulatory barriers to the creation of affordable housing, and encouraging the development thereof, including possible incentives to build such housing, in order to maintain safe, healthy, and diverse communities for all residents of New Hampshire.

(b) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(d) The executive director of the New Hampshire Municipal Association, or designee.

(e) The executive director of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of New Hampshire, or designee.

(g) The executive director of the New Hampshire housing finance authority, or designee.

(h) The executive director of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, or designee.

(j) The executive director of a community-based, non-profit housing developer, appointed by the governor.

(k) The president of the New Hampshire Manufactured Housing Association, or designee.

(l) A professional planner from a regional planning commission, appointed by the speaker of the house.

(n) The president of the New Hampshire Property Owners Association, or designee.

(p) The commissioner of the department of health and human services, or designee.

(q) The director of the Granite State Independent Living Foundation, or designee.

(r) A president of a local chamber of commerce, or designee, appointed by the governor.

II. The legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

I. Identify unnecessary local and state regulatory policies and practices which create barriers to the production of affordable housing; and

II. Recommend state legislation and local policy changes which will encourage the creation of affordable housing, including possible incentives to build such housing, in order to maintain the health, safety, and diversity of local communities and residents of the state.

262:5 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the commission shall elect a chair from among themselves. The first meeting shall be called by the first-named member of the senate within 45 days of the effective date of this act. Nine members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

262:6 Report. The commission shall reports its findings and recommendations for proposed legislation to the senate president, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2001.