PRIA Logo™
New HampshireHB3732025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

HB373

Sponsored By: Diane Pauer (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Law starts 60 days after passage

The law takes effect 60 days after it is passed. Towns and the public follow these rules after that 60‑day period.

Select boards run town property and short leases

The law gives the select board control over town real estate. The board manages use of town land unless voters assign it elsewhere or another state law controls. The board can rent or lease property when it is not needed for public use. For leases of one year or less, the board may approve them without a town meeting vote.

Voters must approve long town leases

For leases longer than one year, up to 99 years, town voters must approve them by a 3/5 vote at an annual or special meeting. The vote is by ballot and not on the officer‑election ballot unless the town uses an official ballot form of meeting or a charter under state law. Polls stay open and accept ballots for at least one hour after discussion. Voters may also, by a 3/5 ballot vote, give or take back the board’s power to lease property for terms up to five years; that grant stays in effect until rescinded. If voters rescind that power, any leases already signed stay in effect.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Diane Pauer

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Brian D Cole

    Republican • House

  • Chris Muns

    Democratic • House

  • David Fracht

    Democratic • House

  • David H. Watters

    Democratic • Senate

  • David Rochefort

    Republican • Senate

  • Linda Franz

    Republican • House

  • Linda McGrath

    Republican • House

  • Michael A Edgar

    Democratic • House

  • Tom Dolan

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor Ayotte 06/23/2025; Chapter 127; eff. 08/23/2025

    6/25/2025House

  2. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/12/2025); SJ 17

    6/16/2025Senate

  3. Enrolled (in recess of) 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 24

    6/16/2025House

  4. Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/15/2025; SJ 13

    5/15/2025Senate

  5. Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/15/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 21

    5/7/2025Senate

  6. Hearing: 05/06/2025, Room 103, LOB, 09:45 am; SC 20

    4/30/2025Senate

  7. Introduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 10

    3/28/2025Senate

  8. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0836h 2025-1289h: MA DV 190-167 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 84

    3/27/2025House

  9. FLAM # 2025-1289h (Rep. Pauer): AA VV 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 83

    3/27/2025House

  10. Amendment # 2025-0836h: AA VV 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 83

    3/27/2025House

  11. Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate

    3/19/2025House

  12. Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0836h 03/10/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 17 P. 63

    3/19/2025House

  13. Executive Session: 03/10/2025 09:30 am LOB 301-303

    3/5/2025House

  14. Public Hearing: 03/03/2025 09:20 am LOB 301-303

    2/27/2025House

  15. Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 2 P. 17

    1/8/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    6/16/2025

    HTML

  • Introduced

    1/8/2025

    PDF

  • CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION

    PDF

  • Version adopted by both bodies

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation