The bill, SB 145-FN, proposes the establishment of the New Hampshire Housing Champion Designation and Grant Program within the Department of Business and Economic Affairs. This program is designed to encourage municipalities to foster the development of workforce housing and other housing types crucial for economic growth. Participating municipalities can earn a "housing champion" designation by meeting certain criteria, such as adopting land use regulations that support workforce housing, providing training for planning and zoning boards, improving sewer and water infrastructure, and enhancing walkability. These designated municipalities are eligible for state resources, including discretionary state infrastructure funds, and must report on their progress annually, with the option to renew their designation every three years. The bill also mandates the creation of an annual report to evaluate the program's effectiveness and requires the department to establish rules for the program by July 1, 2024. A program advisory committee will be formed to advise on the initial rules.

Financially, the bill appropriates $29,000,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 2025, to support various grant programs under the new fund. The allocation includes $1,000,000 for municipal grants to revise master plans and land use regulations, $3,000,000 for the housing production municipal grant program, and $25,000,000 for the housing infrastructure municipal grant program. The bill also provides for the creation of positions within the BEA to manage these programs and sets up a Program Advisory Committee, which will expire on July 1, 2033. While the fiscal impact on the state includes the $29,000,000 appropriation with indeterminate revenue and expenditure changes, municipalities participating in the program may see an increase in revenues. The exact impact on municipalities will be clearer once the BEA defines the rules for grant eligibility and allocations. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2023, except for the repeal of RSA 21-O:74, which is scheduled for July 1, 2033.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21-O:74, 6:12