Legislative Update
NHAR seeking input from Realtors
Your voice needs to be heard regarding septic, short-term rentals
By Bob Quinn
Government Affairs Director, NH REALTORS®
Are you or your clients frustrated with septic regulations in New Hampshire? NHAR is looking for your help.
The New Hampshire Association of REALTORS will be working with the NH Department of Environment Services (NH DES) this summer regarding streamlining and improving our sometime confusing and contradictory septic laws. The State Senate has requested the DES work with NHAR to make regulations more consumer friendly and less costly.
Please, feel free to share your experiences, frustrations or suggestions with NHAR by contacting NHAR’s Government Affairs Director Bob Quinn at bob@nhar.com or 603-225-5549.
Tell us about short-term rentals
With the rise of online marketing companies like Airbnb, VRBO and Homeaway, short-term rentals have caught the eye of the legislature. Some lawmakers are looking to restrict the use of private homes as rentals.
If you rent, operate or manage short-term rentals, NHAR would like your participation and input as the legislature considers new regulations. House Bill 654, which passed earlier this month, creates a legislative study commission to discuss potential new laws to limit rentals in private homes. NHAR is the only voice in opposition to these restrictive regulations.
We need to hear from Realtors about your thoughts and experiences with short-term rentals. Please contact NHAR Government Affairs Director Bob Quinn at bob@nhar.com or 603-225-5549.
Ruling alters solar power rates in New Hampshire
The NH Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has issued a highly-anticipated order with significant implications for the solar industry and residential net metering.
The major issue between consumers and utilities has been how much to pay solar panel owners for the electricity they sell back into the grid. Prior to this ruling, solar owners were paid the full, retail rate for the power supply as well as distribution.
The PUC order grandfathered all existing net metered systems through 2040 at current rates. New residential systems will still be credited monthly at 100 percent of retail energy and transmission charges but only 25 percent of distribution charge; and will receive cash credits on their electric bills instead of kwh credits.
The PUC order also lifts the current statewide 100-megawatt limit on solar power eligible for net metering.
You can view the full report here.
For more information, contact NHAR Government Affairs Director Bob Quinn at 603-225-5549or bob@nhar.com.