Legislative Updates

2024 LEGISLATIVE CHART

Click on the dates below to read the most recent Government Affairs Updates, prepared by NHAR CEO Bob Quinn.

• June 18, 2024: Two wins and a loss
• June 11, 2024: Committees of Conference
• May 28, 2024: Senate shuts down ADU bill
• May 21, 2024: Taking action on ADUs
• May 14, 2024: Return of post-licensing
• May 7, 2024: Local control, or anti-housing?
• April 30, 2024: A nod to manufactured housing
• April 16, 2024: Building code updates
• April 9, 2024: PFAS notification requirement
• April 2, 2024: Victories for property rights
• March 26: Septic bill compromise
• March 12, 2024: Housing bill under construction
• March 5, 2024: Who may appeal development?
• February 27, 2024: Seeking faster driveway permitting
• February 20, 2024: OPLC bill moves forward
• February 13, 2024: Licensing reform, again
• February 6, 2024: NHAR opposes rent 'stabilization'
• January 30, 2024: Combatting land scams
• January 23, 2024: Changes proposed to septic process
• January 16, 2024: Additional dollars for affordable housing
• January 9, 2024: Seeking OPLC efficiency changes
• January 3, 2024: Game cameras on private property

Archive: 2023

• July 18, 2023: Septic statute altered
• July 6, 2023: Licensure bill signed
• June 13, 2023: Budget targets housing affordability
• June 6, 2023: State budget features housing funds
• May 23, 2023: Tenant notification bill tabled
• May 16, 2023: Senate takes it shot at budget
• May 2, 2023: Peeking on private property permitted?
• April 25, 2023: Who approves continuing education?
• April 18, 2023: Game cameras on private lands
• April 11, 2023: Riddle me this
• April 4, 2023: It's time to cross over
• March 28, 2023: Anti-licensing bill stalls out
• March 21, 2023: Realtors answer the Calls
• March 14, 2023: Professional licensing on the line
• March 7, 2023: A neighbor's private well
• February 28, 2023: How does legislature view new construction?
• February 21, 2023: Spotlight on licensing
• February 14, 2023: One lot, four units
• February 7, 2023: Bills would incentivize affordable housing
• January 31, 2023: Legislation targets landlords
• January 24, 2023: New faces, lingering issues

Archive: 2022

• June 14, 2022: NHAR intervenes for property owners
• June 7, 2022: New rules at Real Estate Commission
• May 31, 2022: Housing bill language survives
• May 10, 2022: House tables housing bill, but ...
• May 3, 2022: Session winding down
• April 26, 2022: Political beliefs a protected class?
• April 20, 2022: Short-term rentals head to court
• April 13, 2022: STRs residential or commercial?
• March 30, 2022: Condo bill gets a Senate overhaul
• March 22, 2022: Challenging week for housing advocates
• March 16, 2022: Final vote on HB 1177 this week
• March 8, 2022: Tiny homes, big problem
• March 1, 2022: Housing bills to hit House floor
• February 22, 2022: Unanimous support for licensing bill
• February 15, 2022: Big vote on short-term rentals
• February 10, 2022: Committee backs Housing Appeals Board
• February 2, 2022: Eviction notice, lead paint, license reciprocity
• January 25, 2022: Lead remediation, OPLC, affordable housing
• January 19, 2022: Short-term rentals and the inventory crisis
• January 11, 2022: Legislative leftovers from 2021

Archive: 2021

• February 12, 2021: Legislature seeks to expedite development
• February 4, 2021: Legislature explores broadband expansion
• January 28, 2021: Legislature to look at housing inventory crisis

Archive: 2020

• June 23, 2020: Legislature completes abbreviated session
• June 2, 2020: Legislature to resume
• March 24, 2020: Real estate an 'essential service' 
• March 17, 2020: Legislature shuts down
• March 10, 2020: Streamlined housing approvals
• March 3, 2020: Housing Appeals Board is safe
• February 25, 2020: DES changes stance on Shoreland Bill
• February 18, 2020: Preventing condominium pandemonium
• February 11, 2020: The fight for short-term rentals
• February 4, 2020: House says landlords should pay
• January 28, 2020: Private wells legislation passes House
• January 23, 2020: How REALTORS helped stop HB 655 

Archive: 2019

• September 26, 2019: NHAR priorities included in budget
• September 17, 2019: Landlords could be fined for tenant action
• August 20, 2019: NHAR on new water standards: State should assist
• August 7, 2019: NHAR private roads legislation in effect
• July 24, 2019: Strictest water standards in the country
• July 18, 2019: One veto, two signatures
• July 2, 2019: Bipartisan housing items in state budget
• June 25, 2019: LLC payments go into effect Aug. 4
• June 11, 2019: CFA success! Private roads bill passes House
• June 4, 2019: Budget impact on real estate
• May 28, 2019: Private roads bill passes committee
• May 21, 2019: Stricter arsenic standards
• May 7, 2019: Commissions to LLCs approved
• April 30, 2019: Tiny homes get their close-up
• April 23, 2019: Appeals change could save time, money
• April 16, 2019: A study of older septic systems on the table
• April 9, 2019: 'Occupancy fee' passes House
• April 2, 2019: Realtor health insurance dealt setback by Court
• March 27, 2019: Affordable housing funding passes Senate
• March 19, 2019: Realtor healthcare: good, bad and ugly 
• March 12, 2019: New arsenic standards
• March 5, 2019: Voluntary registration for seasonal docks
• February 26, 2019: REALTOR healthcare hearings
• February 19, 2019: Privade road bill passes out of Senate
• February 12, 2019: Commission-to-LLC bill moves forward
• February 5, 2019: More options for property owners? 
• January 29, 2019: Short-term rental noise, again
• January 25, 2019: Private road maintenance and more

Archive: 2018

• June 12: 2018: Hope for expanded broadband?
• June 5, 2018: Towns may extinguish variances, exceptions
• May 29, 2018: Senate derails dock bill at 11th hour
• May 22, 2018: Homebuyer Credit removed from legislation
• May 8, 2018: Reconciliation is afoot at State House
• May 1, 2018: New education requirements for new licensees
• April 24, 2018: Occupational licensing compromise imminent
• April 17, 2018: Security deposit stays at one month
• April 10, 2018: 10,000 e-mails can't be wrong; Call For Action yields victory
• April 3, 2018: Stay vigilant on licensing issue; storm water authority; REC revenues
• March 27, 2018: Senate Committee agrees with NHAR on licensing bill; Fannie Mae support; increased educational requirements
• March 20, 2018: DES permit turnaround time; varying variance bills
• March 13, 2018: Unlicensed real estate coming?
• March 6, 2018: License reciprocity; short-term rentals; carve-out for condo associations
• February 27, 2018: License reciprocity; tax relief for first-time buyers; private road maintenance
• February 20, 2018: License reciprocity; arsenic in water; association health insurance
• February 6, 2018: Short-term rentals; condo bills; the return of ZBA standards
• January 30, 2018: Security deposits; licensing; protecting commercial property owners
• January 23, 2018: Private roads; seasonal docks; water standards
• January 16, 2018: Lead paint; new appeals board; potential tax relief for first-time buyers.