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 of encouraging the development of such treatment options and defines relevant terms, including "community-based or regional water options" and "community-based or regional wastewater treatment options."

Additionally, the bill empowers the Department of Environmental Services to determine the eligibility of these projects for benefits, which may include expedited regulatory approval and exemptions from certain permitting requirements. The Department is also directed to adopt statewide or regional water-use standards for residential properties. While the bill does not allocate specific funding, it is expected to increase state expenditures, with estimated costs ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per fiscal year starting in FY 2027, necessitating a General Fund appropriation. The fiscal impact on local governments is deemed permissive and indeterminable, as it depends on municipal participation in the benefits offered.

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