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HB 1196-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2306
09/06
HOUSE BILL
1196-FN
AN ACT
repealing the state housing champion designation and grant program.
SPONSORS: Rep. Drew, Hills. 19; Rep. Noble, Hills. 2; Rep. Tom Mannion, Hills. 1; Rep. Belcher, Carr. 4; Rep. Turcotte, Straf. 4; Rep. DeVito, Rock. 8
COMMITTEE: Housing
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ANALYSIS
This bill repeals the housing champion designation and grant program.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in
bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [
in brackets and struckthrough.
]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2306
09/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT
repealing the state housing champion designation and grant program.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Repeal. The following are repealed:
I. RSA 6:12, I(b)(393), relative to the housing champion designation and grant program fund.
II. RSA 12-O:55, VIII, relative to reporting relative to grant or loan funding.
III. RSA 12-O:71 through 12-O:76, and the subdivision heading preceding 12-O:71, relative to the housing champion designation and grant program.
IV. RSA 674:1, VII, relative to reporting relative to grant or loan funding.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
LBA
26-2306
11/17/25
HB 1196-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT
repealing the state housing champion designation and grant program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Estimated State Impact
FY 2026
FY 2027
FY 2028
FY 2029
Revenue
$0
$0
$0
$0
Revenue Fund(s)
None
Expenditures*
$0
Indeterminable
$0
$0
Funding Source(s)
General Fund
and Housing Champion Program Fund
Appropriations*
$0
$0
$0
$0
Funding Source(s)
None
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill
METHODOLOGY:
This bill repeals RSA 12-O:71 through 12-O:76, eliminating the New Hampshire Housing Champion Designation and Grant Program, the Partners in Housing Program, the Housing Champion Program Fund, and the Housing Champion Advisory Committee.
The fiscal impact of this bill is interminable as this bill repeals the Housing Champion Fund, but it is unclear whether the intent is to repeal the fund yet allow obligated funds to be paid, approximately $2,600,000, or to repeal the fund entirely and have all remaining funds lapse to the General Fund, approximately $3,000,000. Clarity on this point is needed to determine whether existing contractual and payment obligations would continue or terminate upon the fund’s repeal. Additionally, this bill is effective 60 days after passage, which means some portion of expenditures would be paid from the fund as it is assumed 60 days after passage would be into the start of FY 2027.
The Department of Business and Economic Affairs states as of October 2025, all program funds are obligated to contracted projects, with more than half already disbursed. The remaining obligated funds of $2,640,311 are scheduled for payment before the end of FY 2027, with the last contract expiring June 30, 2027. Additionally, approximately $316,601 in expenditures for three positions funded through this program would be unfunded with an estimated $316,601 lapse to the General Fund.
If the New Hampshire Housing Champions Program is repealed, BEA’s statutory authority to provide grants, recognition, or other incentives to municipalities adopting housing-friendly policies would end. The Department assumes the previously awarded funds and recognitions would remain valid unless the bill specifies otherwise.
It is expected that the Department will continue to incur some administrative costs associated with closing out existing contracts and managing final payments before repeal, but the total cost is indeterminable.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Business and Economic Affairs