Legislative Update - Attend Hearing Wednesday, Feb 4th/$250 Fines to Landlords

This Legislative Update is provided by Nick Norman Director, Landlord Legislative Affairs

  

You can contact Nick Norman at nicknorman@yahoo.com

Howdee everyone,

Important Updates:

SB175, Regulation Of Blighted Property

Property Owner Position: Against

This enables towns to define what is a blighted property, and potentially fine landlords $250/day for not complying with city requirements to remedy issues of the blighted property.  Please review the details and contact legislators as against the bill.  We feel way more definition is needed on this bill.

We have completed initial text of the new lead law which is included at the end of this article.  We are not complete with our analysis yet.  Please stay tuned.  We will likely have the analysis by next week.  In the meantime, let us know your thoughts by emailing at nicknorman@yahoo.com.

Action items this week:

1. Attend Hearing SB175 Regulation Of Blighted Property

Property Owner Position: Against

SB175     02/04/2015 at 10:15 AM    LOB 102

2. Review Lead Law bill text give us your feedback.

(included in Full Detail section)

Let Nick know if you would like to have a conference call or “town hall” meeting to review this large bill.

See more info in Summaries & Full Detail for each category further below which includes property owner position, contact info, Talking points, and more.

(To jump to bill detail, use Control-F, Find).

Hearings this week:

02/02/2015 at 10:30 AM    LOB 202

HB634, Interest And Dividends Tax

Level of Response: You Decide

Property Owner Position:You Decide

02/02/2015 at 01:00 PM    LOB 202

HB623, Property Tax Relief 2016

Level of Response: Email Call Legislators

Property Owner Position: For

02/03/2015 at 10:00 AM    LOB 302

HB353, Condo Association Voting & Meetings

Level of Response: You Decide

Property Owner Position: You Decide

02/03/2015 at 11:00 AM    LOB 306

HB642, Gold & Silver As Lawful Medium Of Exchange

Level of Response: You Decide

Property Owner Position: You Decide

02/04/2015 at 10:15 AM    LOB 102

SB175, Regulation Of Blighted Property

Level of Response: Attend hearings, Email & Call Legislators

Property Owner Position: Against

02/05/2015 at 08:50 AM    LOB 301

HB430, Property Tax Credit For Veterans And Officers

Level of Response: You Decide

Property Owner Position: You Decide

02/05/2015 at 09:10 AM    LOB 301

HB501, Allow Municipalities to Extend Veterans Property Tax Credit

Level of Response: You Decide

Property Owner Position: You Decide

02/05/2015 at 09:30 AM    LOB 301

HB348, Elderly Tax Credit

Level of Response: You Decide

Property Owner Position: You Decide

02/05/2015 at 10:30 AM    LOB 301

HB199, 
Low Or Moderate Income Property Tax Relief

Level of Response: You Decide

Property Owner Position: You Decide

02/05/2015 at 02:00 PM    SH 100

SB156,

Level of Response: Not Analized yet.  Probably does not affect property owners

Property Owner Position: Not Analized yet.  Probably does not affect property owners

Hearings next week:

02/09/2015 at 01:00 PM    LOB 202

HB180, Real Estate Transfer Tax, Clarify “Contractual” Transfer

Level of Response: Sent to George & Annette & Labbe for YNL

Property Owner Position: For

02/09/2015 at 02:00 PM    LOB 202

HB222, Exempting Homeowners Over 80 Years Of Age From Statewide Education Tax

Level of Response: Sent to George & Annette & Labbe for YNL

Property Owner Position: Not analyzed. Believed to be Limited Impact.

02/10/2015 at 02:00 PM    LOB 304

HB342, Consent for smart meter gateway devices

Level of Response: Email Call Legislators

Property Owner Position: For

Further below is:

Bills Updated Status summary:

Full details on all bills above

(Which includes property owner position, contact info, talking points, and more)

Love & Light,

Nick Norman

Director of Legislative Affairs

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We only list the committee reports on the most important bills affecting the real estate business.  If you want to get the committee report on one of the other bills contact me & I will show you how to get them on line.  Its not terribly hard to get but not straight ahead either.

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Bills Updated Status summary:

We only list the committee reports on the most important bills affecting the real estate business.  If you want to get the committee report on one of the other bills contact me & I will show you how to get them on line.  It’s not terribly hard to get but not straight ahead either.

#VALUE!

HB341    

Title: relative to eligibility in a municipality for the property tax for the disabled.

Property Owner Position: Not analyzed. Believed to be Limited Impact.

House Status: IN COMMITTEE

Senate Status: none

HB288    

Title: relative to the code for energy conservation in new building construction.

Property Owner Position: LimitedImpact; You Decide

House Status: IN COMMITTEE

Senate Status: none

HB286    

Title: relative to permits issued by building inspectors.

Property Owner Position: LimitedImpact; You Decide

House Status: IN COMMITTEE

Senate Status: none

HB634    

Title: relative to applying the interest and dividends tax to trusts, increasing exemptions, and extending the tax to capital gains; and relative to homeowners property tax relief.

Property Owner Position: You Decide

House Status: IN COMMITTEE

Senate Status: none

HB623    

Title: providing property tax relief for taxpayers for the property tax year beginning April 1, 2016.

Property Owner Position: For

House Status: IN COMMITTEE

Senate Status: none

HB353    

Title: relative to the governance of condominium unit owners' associations.

Property Owner Position: You Decide

House Status: IN COMMITTEE

Senate Status: none

HB642    

Title: allowing gold and silver as lawful mediums of exchange.

Property Owner Position: You Decide

House Status: IN COMMITTEE

Senate Status: none

SB175    

Title: relative to the regulation of blighted property.

Property Owner Position: Against

House Status: none

Senate Status: IN COMMITTEE

HB430    

Title: relative to extending the veterans' property tax credit to all honorably discharged veterans.

Property Owner Position: You Decide

House Status: IN COMMITTEE

Senate Status: none

HB501    

Title: allowing municipalities to grant a veterans property tax credit to residents who served not less than one year active duty in the armed forces.

Property Owner Position: You Decide

House Status: IN COMMITTEE

Senate Status: none

HB348    

Title: allowing municipalities to adopt a property tax credit for elderly homeowners for the extent their tax bill exceeds 10 percent of income.

Property Owner Position: You Decide

House Status: IN COMMITTEE

Senate Status: none

HB199    

Title: relative to tax relief information contained on a property tax bill.

Property Owner Position: You Decide

House Status: IN COMMITTEE

Senate Status: none

SB156    

Title: prohibiting discrimination against employees who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Property Owner Position: Not Analized yet.  Probably does not affect property owners

House Status: none

Senate Status: IN COMMITTEE

HB180    

Title: relative to the definition of "price or consideration" under the real estate transfer tax.

Property Owner Position: For

House Status: IN COMMITTEE

Senate Status: none

HB222    

Title: exempting certain homeowners over 80 years of age from the statewide education tax.

Property Owner Position: Not analyzed. Believed to be Limited Impact.

House Status: IN COMMITTEE

Senate Status: none

HB342    

Title: relative to property owners' consent for smart meter gateway devices.

Property Owner Position: For

House Status: IN COMMITTEE

Senate Status: none

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Full details on all bills above:

New Lead Law

This is just the beginnings of analyzing the bill.  Stay tuned for more during this week or in next update.

Summary:

This is a very large bill effective many different areas all with the intent to reduce childhood lead poisoning.  There has been a task force meeting for several months with some landlord representation resulting in this legislation.  The task force continues to meet regularly.  We’re sure that there will be continued push and more legislation for a long time coming.  By in large we either support or are neutral on this bill. 

The Conservation Law Foundation, CLF, has specifically been at the forefront of pulling together the interested parties hearing all sides and working with all stakeholders to draft this language.  Specifically, Tom Irwin from CLF has worked well with us to hear and incorporate our input.

The bill is large, references many RSA by number, and divided into 14 sections.  Therefore for clarity in understanding the bill our analysis will walk you through the bill section by section.

Talking points:

Section 1:  Laboratory Reporting

Property Owner Position: Neutral

This section relates to having DHHS, Department of Health & Human Services track and report screening rates.  That is how many children are being screened (asked questions) and or tested each year.  The screening rates have always been way below long established state guidelines.

Landlords have stood aside on the issue of screening so we have no position on this section.

Section 2:  Child Lead Screening

Property Owner Position: Neutral

This section stresses health care providers are responsible for screening for lead to state guidelines.  If they don’t meet the guidelines by 2017 then DHHS will adopt rules to require them to do so.

Landlords have stood aside on the issue of screening so we have no position on this section.

Section 3:  Property Owner Notification of Elevated BLL

Property Owner Position: For

This section is quite good for us in that when we are notified of low levels of lead we can work with the tenant family and be proactive at taking all precautions to eliminate the poisoning before it escalates to higher levels which will more greatly harm the child and trigger a lead abatement order.  Many times the tenant family and the landlord can work together in a common sense way before an order is triggered and solve the issue easily before the extreme expense of an order is triggered.

There has been a request for DHHS to notify property owners and parents at any level.  The thinking which we agree with is that the earlier everyone is notified the sooner everyone can take measures to be sure the child’s BLL does not rise and only goes down from here.  DHHS wants to be able to give notice at any level but their old software system and some test methods are not as reliable when readings are <5ug class="" dl.="" span="">  They are working towards a software change to update their systems and be able to accurately give notice at lower levels.

All of the above paragraph is why there is language like “the data is deemed reliable by the department”.  When their systems are updated in the future this languageallow them to report lower numbers with out having to make yet another change in the state law.

All landlords we have spoken to are for this section.

Section 4:  Parent Notification of Elevated BLL

Property Owner Position: For

This section is quite good for us as well in that when parents are notified of low levels of lead they will usually become proactive at taking all precautions to eliminate the poisoning before it escalates to higher levels which will more greatly harm the child and trigger a lead abatement order.  Many times the tenant family and the landlord can work together in a common sense way before an order is triggered and solve the issue easily before the extreme expense of an order is triggered.

(Similar notes as section 3 above).

All landlords we have spoken to are for this section.

(Remaining sections still to be analyzed)

Section 5:  Civil Suits

Section 6:  Lead Screening Commission & Essential Maintenance Practices Task Force

Section 7:  Child Care License/Permit Suspension, Revocation, Denial

Section 8:  Child Care License/Permit Suspension, Revocation, Denial

Section 9:  Property Owner Fines Related to Public Health Laws and Regulations Concerning Lead

Section 10: RSA 540A Remedies

Section 11:  RSA 540A Remedies

Section 12:  Building Permits To Require RRP If Applicable

Section 13:  Repeal  Essential Maintenance Practices Task Force on Completion

Section 14:  Effective Dates For Different Sections

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SB15,

01/21/2015 at 09:00 AM    LOB 102

Title: 0

Summary:

Property Owner Position: You Decide

Link to Committee Info: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/Senate/committees/committee_details.aspx?cc=S27

Email to Committee:

To: 0; dboutin1465@comcast.net; bette.lasky@leg.state.nh.us; nancy.stiles@leg.state.nh.us; molly.kelly@leg.state.nh.us; ;

Subject: SB15

Link to Bill Text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2015/SB0015.html

Analysis Stated in Bill:

Talking Points:

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HB341, Property Tax Exemption For The Disabled

01/29/2015 at 11:00 AM    LOB 301

Title: Title: relative to eligibility in a municipality for the property tax for the disabled.

Summary:

Property Owner Position: Not analyzed. Believed to be Limited Impact.

Link to Committee Info: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/committeedetails.aspx?code=H18

Email to Committee:

To: ~HouseMunicipalandCountyGovt@leg.state.nh.us

Subject: HB341

Link to Bill Text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2015/HB0341.html

Analysis Stated in Bill:

Talking Points:

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HB288, Code For Energy Conservation In New Building Construction

01/29/2015 at 11:40 AM    LOB 301

Title: Title: relative to the code for energy conservation in new building construction.

Summary: Limited Impact.  Not analyzed.

Property Owner Position: LimitedImpact; You Decide

Link to Committee Info: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/committeedetails.aspx?code=H18

Email to Committee:

To: ~HouseMunicipalandCountyGovt@leg.state.nh.us

Subject: HB288

Link to Bill Text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2015/HB0288.html

Analysis Stated in Bill:

Talking Points:

Provided in update only to give notice to those that may be affected.

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HB286, Permits Issued By Building Inspectors

01/29/2015 at 02:00 PM    LOB 306

Title: Title: relative to permits issued by building inspectors.

Summary: Limited Impact.  Not analyzed.

Property Owner Position: LimitedImpact; You Decide

Link to Committee Info: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/committeedetails.aspx?code=H07

Email to Committee:

To: ~HouseExecutiveDepartmentsandAdministration@leg.state.nh.us

Subject: HB286

Link to Bill Text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2015/HB0286.html

Analysis Stated in Bill:

Talking Points:

Provided in update only to give notice to those that may be affected.

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HB634, Interest And Dividends Tax

02/02/2015 at 10:30 AM    LOB 202

Title: Title: relative to applying the interest and dividends tax to trusts, increasing exemptions, and extending the tax to capital gains; and relative to homeowners property tax relief.

Summary: This bill changes the interest and dividends tax to include capital gains and raises the exempt amount from $2,400 to $5,000.

Property Owner Position: You Decide

Link to Committee Info: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/committeedetails.aspx?code=H28

Email to Committee:

To: 0

Subject: HB634

Link to Bill Text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2015/HB0634.html

Analysis Stated in Bill:

Talking Points:

The bill would apply 5% I/D tax to Trusts, Partnerships, LLC's and associations to interest and dividends above $5k threshold.  Trusts used for estate planning purposes have been attractive to NH residents. In the past I/D tax has only been imposed on distributions to trust beneficiaries.

Because this bill does make major changes in the New Hampshire tax system, and does affect all of us, we need to follow this bill.  However, a correct analysis needs to be done by someone with knowledge of the existing tax and how this changes things.

For residents of New Hampshire with capital gains, those gains will be subject to a state tax.  Yes, this is an income tax, but on unearned income.

Because of our lack of expertise in this area, and that the bill affects everyone and not just landlords. Until someone can do a deeper analysis we recommend you decide.

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HB623, Property Tax Relief 2016

02/02/2015 at 01:00 PM    LOB 202

Title: Title: providing property tax relief for taxpayers for the property tax year beginning April 1, 2016.

Summary: This bill would reduce assessments for educational taxes for one year by 140 million dollars.  The funds would be taken from the tobacco settlement fund.

Property Owner Position: For

Link to Committee Info: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/committeedetails.aspx?code=H28

Email to Committee:

To: 0

Subject: HB623

Link to Bill Text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2015/HB0623.html

Analysis Stated in Bill:

Talking Points:

Reducing our property taxes for one year in the short term would be nice & any form of tax relief is long overdue.  Longer term tax relief will encourage investment in this state.

However, not knowing enough about the state’s finances, or if there are other plans for the tobacco settlement funds, such as funding medical expenses for smokers who become ill and cannot pay these bills, it is impossible to make a judgment if this bill is a good idea.

This additional revenue should be returned to property owners who bare the burden of education funding.

Not having dug deep into the details we will be For what seems to be the intent of the bill.

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HB353, Condo Association Voting & Meetings

02/03/2015 at 10:00 AM    LOB 302

Title: Title: relative to the governance of condominium unit owners' associations.

Summary: This bill would replace  a number of sections RSA 356-B, the statute governing condominiums.  The bill is very important to developers, attorneys for developers, and attorneys for condo associations.

The bill seeks to modify the Voting Procedures and Meetings for Condo Owners Associations set forth in RSA 356 B.  It shall incorporate E-mail notifications, Video and Telephonic conferencing.

Property Owner Position: You Decide

Link to Committee Info: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/committeedetails.aspx?code=H43

Email to Committee:

To: ~HouseCommerceAndConsumerAffairs@leg.state.nh.us

Subject: HB353

Link to Bill Text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2015/HB0353.html

Analysis Stated in Bill:

Talking Points:

This bill will add additional cost to all condo associations to update bi-laws within 2 year time frame.

We have not fully analyzed this bill.  If it affects you dig deeper.

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HB642, Gold & Silver As Lawful Medium Of Exchange

02/03/2015 at 11:00 AM    LOB 306

Title: Title: allowing gold and silver as lawful mediums of exchange.

Summary: Allowing gold and silver as lawful medium of exchange.

Property Owner Position: You Decide

Link to Committee Info: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/committeedetails.aspx?code=H07

Email to Committee:

To: ~HouseExecutiveDepartmentsandAdministration@leg.state.nh.us

Subject: HB642

Link to Bill Text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2015/HB0642.html

Analysis Stated in Bill:

Talking Points:

HB642 allows citizens to exchange gold and silver for allodial title, A short investigation says it is free, not holden of any lord. Wikipedi says it can not exist in a common law state as all real estate is subject to taxes, zoning and other governmental regulation.)

Gold and silver can simply be exchanged at local dealers so that accepted currency can be used for transactions.   Average person will not have the means to determine the weight and quality.

One of our analysis team says:

This is a befit to all if hyper inflation hit the US.  With $18 trillion in debt there is a good possibility that hyper inflation may appear

This is beyond our expertise and we will leave it for you to decide.

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SB175, Regulation Of Blighted Property

02/04/2015 at 10:15 AM    LOB 102

Title: Title: relative to the regulation of blighted property.

Summary: This bill would add a new section to RSA 674. The bill would enable towns to enact by-laws related to the prevention and mediation of blighted housing, including regulations of reducing assessments.  The towns, in their enactment of regulations, must define blighted housing, and authorizing agents of the town to enter the buildings during reasonable hours for the purposes of remediating blighted conditions after written notice to the owner or occupant of the building.  The bill establishes a fine of not more than $250 per day for a person who willfully violates such regulations, and an unpaid fine would be lien, similar to a tax lien on the property. The town would have all existing means to enforce its order under current statutes. The bill does give a new owner or occupant a 30 day grace period.

Property Owner Position: Against

Link to Committee Info: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/Senate/committees/committee_details.aspx?cc=S27

Email to Committee:

To: 0; dboutin1465@comcast.net; bette.lasky@leg.state.nh.us; nancy.stiles@leg.state.nh.us; molly.kelly@leg.state.nh.us; ;

Subject: SB175

Link to Bill Text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2015/SB0175.html

Analysis Stated in Bill:

Talking Points:

Why this bill is only for towns and not all municipalities is not clear.  Most likely that is a drafting error.  Likewise, why is housing the only type of real estate subject to the bill. Empty and blighted (whatever that would be defined as by a town) commercial buildings can be as much of a problem as housing.  It is interesting to note that this bill does not exclude single family houses.

The entry of the town’s agent into a building raises search and seizure issues.  Perhaps some of the attorneys who have knowledge of existing municipal law could review the bill to let us know how much it changes the current law. Remediation is also not defined.  If someone is in the process of remediation, are the fines suspended?

We should oppose this bill as it is not well drafted, and limited to only housing.

How can we be for this bill when the definition of “blighted property” is left up to the individual town.  That would be like signing a blank check.  The term Blighted Property is far too subjective, and is often associated with urban decay.

The causes of urban blight are many but can include poor town planning board decisions, rent control, and poverty.

 New Hampshire has for the most part an aged housing stock but does not have a major problem with urban blight such as Detroit.

It will give more power to the towns and potentially could cause some people to loose their homes.  What if people can not afford the necessary repairs.  Why charge them $250 a day they don’t have.  If the town starts fining them $250 per day soon the town will own the property.

Town planning boards already have remedies in place in case of hazardous or inhabitable properties through the building inspectors office.  The towns also have zoning all ready.

This bill steps all over property owners rights. Keep the state out of it.

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HB430, Property Tax Credit For Veterans And Officers

02/05/2015 at 08:50 AM    LOB 301

Title: Title: relative to extending the veterans' property tax credit to all honorably discharged veterans.

Summary: An increase in the eligibility for property tax credit for veterans and officers.

Property Owner Position: You Decide

Link to Committee Info: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/committeedetails.aspx?code=H18

Email to Committee:

To: ~HouseMunicipalandCountyGovt@leg.state.nh.us

Subject: HB430

Link to Bill Text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2015/HB0430.html

Analysis Stated in Bill:

Talking Points:

We are in favor of extending benefits to the men and women that serve our country.

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HB501, Allow Municipalities to Extend Veterans Property Tax Credit

02/05/2015 at 09:10 AM    LOB 301

Title: Title: allowing municipalities to grant a veterans property tax credit to residents who served not less than one year active duty in the armed forces.

Summary: Allows cities and towns to grant property tax credit for veterans and officers.

Property Owner Position: You Decide

Link to Committee Info: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/committeedetails.aspx?code=H18

Email to Committee:

To: ~HouseMunicipalandCountyGovt@leg.state.nh.us

Subject: HB501

Link to Bill Text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2015/HB0501.html

Analysis Stated in Bill:

Talking Points:

We are in favor of extending benefits to the men and women that serve our country.

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HB348, Elderly Tax Credit

02/05/2015 at 09:30 AM    LOB 301

Title: Title: allowing municipalities to adopt a property tax credit for elderly homeowners for the extent their tax bill exceeds 10 percent of income.

Summary: Allowing a property tax credit in the amount excess 10% of income of a person 65 years or older.

Income shall not exceed 20k per person. Can not have assets in excess of 250k, including value of primary residence.

Property Owner Position: You Decide

Link to Committee Info: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/committeedetails.aspx?code=H18

Email to Committee:

To: ~HouseMunicipalandCountyGovt@leg.state.nh.us

Subject: HB348

Link to Bill Text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2015/HB0348.html

Analysis Stated in Bill:

Talking Points:

Bill will have very little impact on property owners as any modest income will offset the exclusions.

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HB199, Low Or Moderate Income Property Tax Relief

02/05/2015 at 10:30 AM    LOB 301

Title: Title: relative to tax relief information contained on a property tax bill.

Summary: Adding the term of low or moderate income to the tax relief statement on property tax bill.

Property Owner Position: You Decide

Link to Committee Info: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/committeedetails.aspx?code=H18

Email to Committee:

To: ~HouseMunicipalandCountyGovt@leg.state.nh.us

Subject: HB199

Link to Bill Text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2015/HB0199.html

Analysis Stated in Bill:

Talking Points:

Bill will have very little impact on property owners.

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SB156,

02/05/2015 at 02:00 PM    SH 100

Title: Title: prohibiting discrimination against employees who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Summary:

Property Owner Position: Not Analized yet.  Probably does not affect property owners

Link to Committee Info: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/Senate/committees/committee_details.aspx?cc=S37

Email to Committee:

To: sam.cataldo@leg.state.nh.us; david.pierce@leg.state.nh.us; donna.soucy@leg.state.nh.us; represcott@represcott.com; jeb.bradley@leg.state.nh.us; ;

Subject: SB156

Link to Bill Text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2015/SB0156.html

Analysis Stated in Bill:

Talking Points:

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HB180, Real Estate Transfer Tax, Clarify “Contractual” Transfer

02/09/2015 at 01:00 PM    LOB 202

Title: Title: relative to the definition of "price or consideration" under the real estate transfer tax.

Summary: This bill attempts to clarify a “contractual” transfer of Real Estate.

Property Owner Position: For

Link to Committee Info: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/committeedetails.aspx?code=H28

Email to Committee:

To: 0

Subject: HB180

Link to Bill Text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2015/HB0180.html

Analysis Stated in Bill:

Talking Points:

This bill, if enacted, would marginally clarify what is price or consideration to base the amount of tax to be paid in real estate transactions.  Currently, non-contractual transfers, which basically are gifts, are not taxed.  The bill would add to the definition of price and consideration, which the amount of the taxes to be paid are based upon, the words “in a contractual transfer.” The bill is merely housekeeping, and does not change anything.

This bill will help the banks when they take a deed in lieu of foreclosure. They won’t have to pay the transfer stamps. This would be a good bill to amend transferring a property in to another entity for estate planning/asset protection. Not having to pay transfer stamps if it is still done for the above reasons.

See if we could amend the bill to help with transfer of property into LLC, LP…

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HB222, Exempting Homeowners Over 80 Years Of Age From Statewide Education Tax

02/09/2015 at 02:00 PM    LOB 202

Title: Title: exempting certain homeowners over 80 years of age from the statewide education tax.

Summary:

Property Owner Position: Not analyzed. Believed to be Limited Impact.

Link to Committee Info: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/committeedetails.aspx?code=H28

Email to Committee:

To: 0

Subject: HB222

Link to Bill Text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2015/HB0222.html

Analysis Stated in Bill:

Talking Points:

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HB342, Consent for smart meter gateway devices

02/10/2015 at 02:00 PM    LOB 304

Title: Title: relative to property owners' consent for smart meter gateway devices.

Summary: This bill is a correction to RSA374:62. It includes Water, Gas, propane and utility distribution as well as electricity.

Property owner's consent is required by utilities.

Property Owner Position: For

Link to Committee Info: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/committeedetails.aspx?code=H24

Email to Committee:

To: ~HouseScienceTechnologyandEnergy@leg.state.nh.us

Subject: HB342

Link to Bill Text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2015/HB0342.html

Analysis Stated in Bill:

Talking Points:

The bill should be updated to reflect all utility service providers.

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