The bill SB 502-FN proposes significant amendments to New Hampshire's laws concerning the Department of Business and Economic Affairs and the Office of Planning and Development. It replaces all references to the Office of Planning and Development with a newly established "division of planning and community development" within the Department of Business and Economic Affairs. This change aims to clarify the department's role in coordinating economic development policies and enhancing the planning process at the regional level. The bill also mandates that regional planning commissions update their comprehensive development plans every five years and hold public hearings with adequate notice to ensure community input.

Additionally, the bill modifies the composition of the New Hampshire Community Development Advisory Committee, increasing public members from six to seven, with a requirement for at least four to be municipal officials. It allows for electronic participation in meetings for certain committee members and establishes a new Penalty Appeal Board under the Department of Labor, which will operate independently. The bill also repeals provisions related to the now-closed New Hampshire Innovation Research Center, reflecting the discontinuation of its funding since 2021. Overall, these amendments aim to streamline operations, enhance community engagement in planning processes, and ensure efficient administration across state agencies.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 4-F:1, 12-O:2, 36:45, 36:46, 36:47, 162-L:15, 216-A:3-, 481:3, 483:10, 483-B:5, 483-B:12
As Amended by the Senate: 4-F:1, 12-O:2, 36:45, 36:46, 36:47, 162-L:15, 216-A:3-, 481:3, 483:10, 483-B:5, 483-B:12, 100-A:14-b, 151-J:2, 273:11-b, 277:1-a
SB502 text: 4-F:1, 12-O:2, 12-P:3, 36:45, 36:46, 36:47, 162-L:15, 204-C:8, 216-A:3-c, 481:3, 483:10, 483-B:5, 483-B:12