This bill amends existing laws to provide benefits for innovative community-based or regional water and wastewater treatment projects that facilitate the construction of residential properties on smaller lot sizes. Specifically, it inserts new provisions into RSA 12-O:73 and RSA 35-A, allowing the Department of Environmental Services to grant priority consideration for available housing grants and preferred financing rates from the municipal bond bank for qualifying projects. The bill also establishes a new chapter, RSA 489-D, which outlines the purpose, definitions, and administrative actions related to these water and wastewater treatment projects.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Environmental Services determine whether proposed projects meet the criteria for enabling smaller lot sizes and grants them various benefits, including priority for grants, expedited regulatory approval, and potential exemptions from certain permitting requirements. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, although a fiscal note is pending as the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant awaits further information from the Department of Environmental Services.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 12-O:73
HB1783 text: 12-O:73