New HampshireHB4282025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

HB428

Sponsored By: Joe H. Alexander (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Towns cannot require home sprinklers

The law bars cities and towns from forcing automatic sprinklers in detached one- or two-family homes used only for living. It also bars sprinkler mandates in existing buildings with four or fewer units and in manufactured homes in parks. It does not change sprinkler rules already in place, rules for nonresidential uses, or your choice to add sprinklers voluntarily.

No local bans on heating choices

Local governments cannot ban or restrict safe, commercially available heating or other energy systems. You may use licensed energy providers of your choice, including oil, propane, or natural gas companies, to install, connect, or resupply your system. This keeps more energy options open for homes and businesses.

One statewide building and fire code

The state building code now applies in every town and city. Local governments cannot change or override the state building code after the law’s effective date. If a local rule is weaker than the state fire code, the state fire code controls. All buildings and structures must meet state building and fire codes and also follow local land-use rules like zoning, subdivision, density, and historic district limits.

Clear steps to adopt zoning rules

Zoning and historic district ordinances must follow the state’s standard process for adoption. The law removes building-code proposals from that specific process. This makes local rulemaking steps clearer.

Local enforcement of building and fire codes

Your city or town’s governing body can set up a local agency to enforce the state building and fire codes. The building code is enforced by a building inspector or other qualified local official. The fire code for non-state buildings is enforced by the municipal fire chief or a designee. If a town adopts enforcement, it must review plans, issue permits, inspect work, and issue occupancy certificates. Local staffing rules still apply as long as they do not block code enforcement.

Fewer appeals on code decisions

The law repeals certain state code review board rules and some building code appeals powers. This reduces formal paths to review or appeal code decisions. Builders and property owners may have fewer ways to challenge a decision.

Law effective 60 days after passage

The law takes effect 60 days after it passes. After that date, municipalities, boards, and property owners must follow the new rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Joe H. Alexander
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Carol M McGuire
Republican • House
Dan McGuire
Republican • House
Daniel E. Innis
Republican • Senate
Jason M. Osborne
Republican • House
Joe Sweeney
Republican • House
Keith R. Murphy
Republican • Senate
Mark McConkey
Republican • Senate
Mark Warden
Affiliation unavailable
Ross Berry
Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

Signed by Governor Ayotte 08/01/2025; Chapter 276; eff.07/01/2026
8/11/2025House
Enrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 63
7/14/2025House
Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
7/14/2025Senate
Conference Committee Report 2025-2824c: Adopted, VV 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 18
6/26/2025House
Conference Committee Report # 2025-2824c, Adopted, VV; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
6/26/2025Senate
Conference Committee Meeting: 06/18/2025 09:00 am LOB 205-207
6/18/2025House
Conference Committee Report Filed, # 2025-2824c; 06/26/2025
6/18/2025Senate
President Appoints: Senators Pearl, Gannon, Reardon; (In Recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
6/13/2025Senate
Sen. Pearl Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
6/13/2025Senate
Conferee Change: Rep. Layon Replaces Rep. Grote 06/12/2025 HJ 16 P. 173
6/12/2025House
Speaker Appoints: Reps. S. Pearson, Sheehan, Grote, C. McGuire 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 52
6/3/2025House
House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1989s (Rep. Osborne): MA VV 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 52
6/3/2025House
Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1989s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
5/15/2025Senate
Committee Amendment # 2025-1989s, AA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
5/15/2025Senate
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1989s, 05/15/2025; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 21
5/8/2025Senate
Hearing: 04/16/2025, Room 103, SH, 09:40 am; SC 17
4/9/2025Senate
Introduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 10
3/28/2025Senate
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0328h: MA DV 188-151 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 65
3/26/2025House
Amendment # 2025-0328h: AA DV 184-149 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 65
3/26/2025House
Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
3/18/2025House
Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0328h 03/12/2025 (Vote 10-6; RC) HC 17 P. 32
3/18/2025House
Executive Session: 02/12/2025 12:00 pm LOB 306-308
3/18/2025House
Subcommittee Work Session: 02/12/2025 12:00 pm LOB 306-308
2/11/2025House
Subcommittee Work Session: 01/28/2025 10:15 am LOB 104
1/23/2025House
Public Hearing: 01/22/2025 11:30 am LOB 306-308
1/15/2025House

Bill Text

Enrolled
7/14/2025
HTML
Introduced
1/10/2025
PDF
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION
PDF
Version adopted by both bodies
PDF

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