(New Title) relative to the state building code.
Sponsored By: Keith R. Murphy (Republican)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Owners get fees reduced for savings
Owners or authorized contractors pay independent providers directly for plan reviews and inspections. The local authority must reduce its service fee by the costs it saves when private providers do that work. There is no fixed discount: the reduction depends on actual savings, not the provider's price.
Owners get firm building approval deadlines
Authorities have 8 business days to approve building documents or permit applications, or give written deficiencies citing code chapters. After revisions, they have the remaining paused business days plus 1 business day to approve or give another specific notice. These deadlines exclude zoning and planning approvals; missed deadlines mean approval, with necessary permits issued the next business day. After all required private inspections, the provider submits a compliance certificate describing inspections and compliance with approved plans and codes. Once that complete certificate and outstanding fees arrive, authorities have 5 business days for one- or two-family homes, or 3 for other buildings, to issue occupancy or completion certificates or give specific deficiencies citing code chapters; otherwise, certificates are deemed granted and must be issued the next business day.
Owners and providers can challenge decisions
Covered decisions about inspections, occupancy, completion, building documents, permits, and provider suspensions can go to the state Building Code Review Board. The board must handle disputes promptly and may charge a fee. Providers, owners, and their contractors can also ask a court to correct specified errors, including an insufficient fee reduction. They can seek orders requiring acceptance of compliant inspections or documents and issuance of necessary permits or certificates.
Owners gain private building review options
Effective 60 days after passage, this New Hampshire law lets owners hire independent building-plan reviewers and inspectors. Contractors need the owner's written approval; neither can own the provider, and providers cannot give them legal counsel. Providers must work within their licenses and certify plan reviews by affidavit; electronic documents and signatures are allowed. Fire codes are excluded, and authorities cannot impose stricter provider rules, but retain emergency stop-work powers. Owners, contractors, and providers get the records agency staff receive; requested electronic records are due within 2 business days when access normally uses software protecting exempt records.
Private reviews bring insurance and liability
Independent providers must carry professional-liability insurance before work starts unless the regulatory authority waives it. Projects costing $5 million or less require $2 million per occurrence and $4 million in total coverage. Projects over $5 million require $4 million per occurrence and $8 million in total coverage. Before work, owners or contractors must supply provider identification, licenses, qualifications, insurance proof unless waived, covered lots or structures, and expected dates. They must acknowledge checking provider competence and insurance, and agree to defend and cover the authority against claims arising from provider use.
Private inspectors face audits with limits
Local enforcement agencies must randomly audit some private inspections without advance notice; the law sets no required percentage. Authorities must create a formal audit evaluation and can require owners or contractors to disclose inspection times without revealing audits. Audits cannot delay work, and providers generally face no more than 4 audits per month. That cap does not apply when a building condition poses an immediate threat to public safety and welfare. Authorities can order corrective action for violations and suspend providers for up to 1 year on clear and convincing evidence of negligent inspections.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Keith R. Murphy
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Daniel E. Innis
Republican • Senate
Jason M. Osborne
Republican • House
Joe H. Alexander
Republican • House
Tim McGough
Republican • Senate
Howard Pearl
r • Senate
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor on 07/15/2025; Chapter 0246; Effective 07/15/2025
7/22/2025SenateEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
7/8/2025SenateEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 60
7/8/2025HouseSen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 06/12/2025; SJ 16
6/12/2025SenateOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1951h: MA DV 276-82 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 46
5/22/2025HouseAmendment # 2025-1951h (NT): AA VV 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 46
5/22/2025HouseRemoved from Consent (Reps. DeLemus, Colcombe, DeRoy, Gorski, Hill, Turcotte, Wallner, Kaczynski, Flanagan, D. Mannion) 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 4
5/22/2025HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1951h (NT) 05/06/2025 (Vote 17-0; CC)
5/12/2025HouseExecutive Session: 05/06/2025 10:00 am LOB 305
4/23/2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 04/22/2025 10:00 am LOB 305
4/16/2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/08/2025 11:00 am LOB 305
4/1/2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Housing HJ 11 P. 112
3/28/2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendments #2025-0294s and #2025-0563s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
3/6/2025SenateSen. Perkins Kwoka Floor Amendment # 2025-0563s, AA, VV; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
3/6/2025SenateCommittee Amendment # 2025-0294s, AA, VV; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
3/6/2025SenateCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0294s, 03/06/2025, Vote 5-0; SC 11
2/13/2025SenateSpecial Order to Next Session, Without Objection; 02/13/2025; SJ 5
2/13/2025SenateSB 188-FN was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 02/13/2025; SJ 5
2/13/2025SenateCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0294s, 02/13/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 9
2/6/2025SenateHearing: 02/05/2025, Room 103, SH, 10:30 am; SC 8
1/29/2025SenateIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 3
1/23/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
7/8/2025
Introduced
1/23/2025
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION
Version adopted by both bodies
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