Lawmakers pass sweeping zoning reform bills, but some say housing funding is lacking
The Legislature has pushed forward a number of bills intended to overhaul zoning procedures that housing advocates say impede badly needed development
Author: Ethan Dewitt-New Hampshire Bulletin
Poll: Most Granite Staters support bills to override zoning policies, encourage housing
The poll found that 55% of respondents considered New Hampshire’s housing shortage and high prices to be the number one issue facing Granite Staters
In a shift, Senate passes string of bills overriding local zoning barriers to housing
Republicans argued cities and towns should be incentivized to pass zoning ordinances that make housing construction easier, but they shouldn’t be forced to do so
Housing crisis sparks bipartisan interest in efforts to override local zoning codes
This year, Republicans and Democrats in the House are reframing the housing crisis and displaying a stronger desire to take on municipalities directly by overriding zoning codes with state law
Council tables Dartmouth bid to run state hospital
The Executive Council tabled a proposal Dec. 4 to create a public-private partnership and allow Dartmouth Health to run the state’s Hampstead Hospital, after councilors argued they needed more time to review the contract.
Trio of magistrates set to usher in a new era for bail in New Hampshire
The new system allows three magistrates to take the role of judges and set bail for people who are arrested for serious crimes
New Hampshire Supreme Court hears arguments on whether the education property tax is legal
In oral arguments, a group of plaintiffs argued that allowing towns to keep excess state property tax revenue, rather than pass it to less wealthy towns, is unfair to taxpayers and unconstitutional
NH to spend additional million dollars to improve suicide prevention hotline
New Hampshire health officials are continuing an overhaul of the national suicide prevention hotline and have accepted federal money to improve the state’s response.
Legislature not likely to pursue Hantz Marconi impeachment, top lawmakers say
House Democratic Leader Matt Wilhelm said indictments were 'deeply concerning' but suggested the Legislature would wait before taking any action
New Hampshire Supreme Court Justice Anna Marconi indicted on two felony charges
Hantz Marconi has been charged with two class B felonies and five misdemeanors for allegedly asking Gov. Chris Sununu to intervene and “wrap up” the Department of Justice’s investigation into her husband, Geno Marconi, the director of the New Hampshire Port Authority
Federal court gives mixed signals in free speech case over parents protesting transgender athletes
The lawsuit, brought in part by the conservative legal group Institute for Free Speech, touches on a topic that has divided and animated state lawmakers this year: the eligibility of transgender girls to participate in girls’ sports
State expects to spend $200,000 to defend against school funding lawsuits
The estimate is part of a $6.7 million spending request the department made to the council to cover its expected litigation costs
ACLU files lawsuit against new voter registration law, the second in two weeks
ACLU argues HB 1569 is unconstitutional, as it will create hurdles that could stop lawful residents and citizens from registering to vote
Federal judge blocks transgender sports ban law in temporary injunction
McCafferty’s ruling is limited and applies only to student Parker Tirrell; plaintiffs in the case are seeking a broader ruling in the coming weeks that pauses the law for all student athletes
Sununu signs compromise bail law, capping six years of political pressure
NH Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers has more mixed reaction to HB 318 changes intended to make it harder for violent criminals to be released
In wake of Supreme Court homelessness decision, NH advocates say fight not over
On July 2, the Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to strengthen a ban on camping on city property, subjecting people to fines
As bail reform goes to negotiations, some say a compromise is finally possible
Among those seeking to limit who can be released on bail, divisions have emerged, and those disagreements have doomed past efforts
NH federal court strikes down ‘banned concepts’ teaching law
Federal judge ordered ruling that the law is unconstitutionally vague, siding with teachers unions and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire
House kills ‘HOMEnibus bill,’ voting against attempt to incentivize housing
Proponents of SB 538 argued it would help dislodge barriers to housing development, give cities and towns new tools to increase housing units
Biden administration to greatly ease marijuana regulations; here’s how NH would be affected
The reclassification will help the state’s therapeutic cannabis scene – particularly when it comes to accessing federal tax breaks
The fraught path forward for cannabis legalization
New Hampshire’s cannabis legalization effort has reached a tricky crossroads. A year after Gov. Chris Sununu announced he would support a legalization approach that meets a number of strict conditions, the New Hampshire House has passed a bill.
Mayors say need is growing for state homelessness prevention funds
Homelessness advocates say state needs 'multipronged approach' to address people in acute crisis
Lawmakers advance bill allowing landlords to evict at end of lease
A bill that passed the House last month would allow landlords to cease renting to a tenant at the end of the lease, without the need to point to any specific cause
House passes two bills to expand housing in New Hampshire
Bills to allow ADUs on single-family properties, plus parking space limits
As lawmakers eye statewide housing solutions, local control remains a barrier
Legislation makes way for 'mixed-use' housing, allowing developers to increase number of housing units by opening new areas
A guide to New Hampshire’s new data privacy rights
Senate Bill 255 goes into effect January 2025, giving residents greater controls over how their data is used by businesses
NH DOT awards $2.8 million in phase one of electric vehicle charging funds
The state’s Department of Transportation has conditionally awarded $2.8 million toward electric vehicle charging infrastructure in North Woodstock, Tilton, Rochester and Sanbornville as part of phase one of the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program.
Cannabis legalization bill shaped in part by Sununu has momentum – and critics
The state's latest cannabis legalization effort was approved by the House but remains uncertain in the Senate
Republican lawmakers balk at Medicaid Direct Certification program, citing cost and privacy
A push to automatically sign up New Hampshire students for free or reduced-price lunches if they are enrolled in Medicaid is facing a setback, after Republican lawmakers voted to not recommend the move, citing privacy and cost concerns. Medicaid Direct…
Four takeaways culled from depositions in the ‘divisive concepts’ lawsuit
A review of testimony shows about how enforcement of the law has been carried out
As communities address homelessness, should smaller towns should share the cost?
Reimbursement to larger communities by smaller ones can be a struggle
A ‘missing middle’ experiment
In Spokane, Wash., officials test a housing strategy rejected by NH lawmakers
In Spokane, Wash., officials test a housing strategy rejected by NH lawmakers
‘Missing middle’ initiative seen as key to solving city’s housing crisis
UNH/BIA poll: Most Granite Staters pessimistic about buying a house
Survey shows that optimism about market is fading as prices remain high
New Hampshire seeks increase to benefits through homeowner assistance fund
In two years, only $5.5m of the $40m fund has been spent
Sununu’s budget, by the numbers
$14.9 billion proposal is 13 percent higher than the last biennial spending plan
Sununu’s budget proposal suggests that fears of harsh recession are easing
Outlook is shifting on concerns about economy’s resilience
Towns hope for permanent retirement contribution
Efforts in Legislature aim to lower financial burden on property-tax payers
Crypto crackdown?
1940s legal precedent put future of NH file-sharing firm in doubt
1940s legal precedent puts future of NH file-sharing firm in doubt
A 76-year-old U.S. Supreme Court ruling hangs looms over fate of Manchester-based LBRY in its battle with the SEC
‘Trench warfare’: What an evenly split NH House means for next session
‘The next few years, it’s going to be like World War I,’ says one lobbyist
End of federal rental relief funding sparks pleas for New Hampshire backup plan
Finger-pointing follows Treasury decision to withhold assistance funds
NH seeks $6.4 million in Covid relief money to build up court access services
Money would help expand services to those affected by Covid using the court system
After oral arguments, four things to watch in lawsuit against ‘divisive concepts’ law
Federal judge gives hints of his thinking on case, with initial decision on hearing several away
Career and technical education programs in high demand throughout the state
Increased interest in trades has sparked revival of interest in vocational education
Towns, cities prepare for zoning law changes aimed at boosting housing
Beginning Aug. 23, municipal officials will have to begin adhering to changes, incentives under HB 1661
For one town, tight deadlines among barriers to affordable housing relief
‘It is technically and feasibly possible’ but ‘extremely difficult’
High school students urged to try work-based learning via state new program
Department of Education seeks to raise awareness of new initiative
Zoning friction between towns and churches leads to legal challenges, legislation
In Bedford, town and church battle over new congregation’s occupancy of home
New school-funding funding lawsuit focuses on property tax inequality
Wide discrepancy among towns in paying for education is a central theme of case
More news from NHBR:
Watchwords for NH economy: ‘Uncertainty rules’
Brian Gottlob uses these words to describe the state’s current economic climate: “Uncertainty rules.” The director of the New Hampshire Employment Security's Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau raised several issues — from immigration and unemployment, to housing prices and consumer spending — as reasons for both hope and concern for the economy into 2026.
NH trade mission to Canada seen as having positive results
Gov. Kelly Ayotte led the visit, which included a selection of policymakers as well as businesspeople representing a wide array of enterprises.
More Chinese-owned property in Nashua comes into focus
Nashua Mayor seeks funds to buy the long-vacant Daniel Webster College site from Chinese-owned Xinhua amid rising debate over foreign property ownership.
NH residential real estate: ‘Still very much a seller’s market’
While home prices might be moderating in other parts of the country, the median price of a single-family house in New Hampshire rose to $550,000 in August, the second highest price point this current year. That price is just $3,000 more than the $547,000 recorded in July, but it is $47,500 more than January’s $502,500. The highest median price in 2025 was $569,450, recorded in June and the most ever recorded in the state.
Pro-business groups back BEA commissioner continuing
3 of 5 Executive Council members oppose Taylor Caswell’s reappointment
Erin Creegan tapped as interim U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has appointed Erin Creegan to serve as the interim U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire, following the resignation of Jay McCormack earlier this month.
Judge rules NH is not funding an adequate education
Superior Court Judge David Ruoff has once again ruled that the state has shirked its duty to fund an adequate education and this time further held that local school property taxes, which vary in rate from one municipality to another, are themselves unconstitutional.
Inquiries pressure BEA to explain Chinese water company Nashua purchase
Nashua mayor: ‘I don't think people generally understand that this company came to Nashua as part of a state economic development initiative.’
Solar advocates throw shade on $43.5 million grant clawback by Trump
Solar advocates in New Hampshire — backed by the congressional delegation — are denouncing a Trump White House decision to claw back $48.5 million already promised to the state to fund solar energy projects for low-income residents.
