New Hampshire 2026 Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 3 D · 1 R cosponsors

HB 1161 — removing the requirement for municipalities to have an advisory board for development districts.

Last action — Signed by Governor Ayotte 05/22/2026; Chapter 83; eff. 07/21/2026

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 01, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte (Republican) on May 28, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 4 sponsors

    1 primary, 3 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (3 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill eliminates the advisory board requirement for development districts in municipalities.

This legislation removes the obligation for municipalities to have an advisory board when creating development districts. It simplifies the process for local governments to manage development without the advisory layer.

Summary

removing the requirement for municipalities to have an advisory board for development districts.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

21 added · 18 removed

Plain-language change summary

The changes to HB 1161 remove the mandatory requirement for municipalities to create an advisory board for each development district, allowing them instead to choose whether or not to form such boards. This adjustment gives local governments greater flexibility in managing development districts, which could lead to more tailored approaches that better fit their communities' needs. The potential benefit is that resources could be allocated more efficiently, as municipalities can decide what structure works best for them.

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HB 1161 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES SESSION 26-2653 12/06 HOUSE BILL 1161 AN ACT removing the requirement for municipalities to have an advisory board for development districts.
CHAPTER 83 HB 1161 - FINAL VERSION SESSION 26-2653 12/06 HOUSE BILL 1161 AN ACT removing the requirement for municipalities to have an advisory board for development districts.
HB 1161 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 26-2653 12/06 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT removing the requirement for municipalities to have an advisory board for development districts.
CHAPTER 83 HB 1161 - FINAL VERSION 26-2653 12/06 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT removing the requirement for municipalities to have an advisory board for development districts.
1 Advisory Board;
83:1 Advisory Board;
Amend RSA 162-K:14, I to read as follows:
Amend the section heading and RSA 162-K:14, I to read as follows:
The legislative body of the municipality [shall] may, in the same manner as the chapter is adopted pursuant to RSA 162-K:1, create an advisory board for each development district that ensures fair representation of business and community interests.The board shall consist of such number of members appointed or elected as determined by the legislative body.
The legislative body of the municipality [shall] may, in the same manner as the chapter is adopted pursuant to RSA 162-K:1, create an advisory board for each development district that ensures fair representation of business and community interests.
The board shall consist of such number of members appointed or elected as determined by the legislative body.
2 Effective Date.
83:2 Effective Date.
Approved:
May 22, 2026 Effective Date:
July 21, 2026
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Action History

  1. Signed by Governor Ayotte 05/22/2026; Chapter 83; eff. 07/21/2026

  2. Enrolled (in recess of) 05/07/2026 HJ 12

  3. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12

  4. Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/09/2026; SJ 8

  5. Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/09/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 13

  6. Hearing: 03/24/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:15 am; SC 11

  7. Introduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 5

  8. Ought to Pass: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 28

  9. Committee Report: Ought to Pass 02/03/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 7 P. 17

  10. Executive Session: 02/03/2026 11:15 am GP 153

  11. Public Hearing: 01/27/2026 09:40 am GP 154

  12. Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 1 P. 8

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 3 co-sponsors · 411 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (3)

Not signed on (411)

411 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 411 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety housing
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB 1161 do?
removing the requirement for municipalities to have an advisory board for development districts.
Who sponsors HB 1161?
HB 1161 is sponsored by David Fracht (Democrat), Matthew Hicks (Democrat), Eleana Colby (Democrat), and Dale Girard (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 1161?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 01, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 1161?
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