Video & Transcript : 'accessory dwelling unit' :
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WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Local Government Feb 2nd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Local Government
Committee:
Senate Local Government
Keywords:
city incorporation, local governance, municipalities, state law, government structure, culvert replacement, fish passage, hydraulic project approval, Department of Fish and Wildlife, stream crossing, bank stabilization, flood control, erosion control, emergency permit, expedited permit, SEPA, environmental review, local government, county authority, agricultural irrigation
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- dwelling unit laws.
- Legalizing accessory dwelling units is the most common place...
- dwelling unit laws.
- Legalizing accessory dwelling units is the most common place where we've seen state policymakers stepping
- Legalizing accessory dwelling units is the most common place where we've seen state policymakers stepping
Committee:
Senate Local Government and Taxation
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/23/2026 - House Appropriations
House Appropriations Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- is an accessory to the main dwelling unit. ...asking for.
- is an accessory to the main dwelling unit.
- To ensure that that dwelling unit is an accessory to the main dwelling unit.
- However, I am a big supporter of accessory dwelling units.
- dwelling units.
Summary:
The committee first took up a discussion-only strike-everything amendment to HB 2211, which would make it unprofessional conduct for certain health care providers to submit offers in independent dispute resolution above 300% of Medicare or the qualified payment amount. The chair said he was not ready to move the bill because more stakeholder meetings were needed. Testimony split between insurers, who said a small number of providers were abusing the No Surprises Act and driving up costs, and provider representatives, who argued the proposal would improperly cap rates, relied on opaque insurer-set QPAs, and could threaten licensure in a billing dispute. No vote was taken on HB 2211.
The committee then considered HB 4028 on accessory dwelling units. The bill would remove the 1,000-square-foot cap, change setback rules, bar municipalities from requiring an administrative use permit and certain elevation criteria, and extend the deadline for cities to adopt ADU regulations. The sponsor argued it would give homeowners more flexibility and help address housing affordability, while cities, neighborhood groups, and residents warned it would allow oversized ADUs, reduce local control, create density and safety concerns, and invite investor-driven development. After extensive debate, the committee voted 8-9 with one present, and HB 4028 failed.
Next, the committee heard HB 2620, as amended, which appropriates $300,000 annually for five years from the General Fund to the Department of Veterans’ Services for grants to emergency shelters. An amendment removed age and non-congregate-setting conditions for eligibility. The sponsor and a shelter provider said the funding would help shelters better serve homeless veterans and connect them to services. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed HB 2620 on a 17-0 vote with one member not voting.
The committee then considered HB 2960, as amended, which creates a veterans specialty court grant program and a dedicated fund to support local veterans treatment courts. An amendment shifted administration of the fund to the Office of the Courts and allowed support for expansion of existing programs. The sponsor, a Lake Havasu judge, and a veteran graduate testified that veterans courts reduce recidivism and save lives by linking veterans to treatment and support. The bill was still being taken up when the transcript ended, with testimony continuing from supporters including a veterans shelter founder.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Petersburg expanded accessory dwelling units, allowed yes in my... yes in God's back... on clogging up
- Petersburg, expanded accessory dwelling units, allowed yes in my, yes in God's back, St.
- Petersburg expanded accessory dwelling units, allowed, yes, in God's backyard; density increases along
- dwelling units, and reduced restrictions on missing-middle housing.
- They approved it for smaller units. The units are 350 square feet in size.
Committee:
Senate Community Affairs
Keywords:
land use, disaster recovery, local government, federal assistance, Hurricane relief, legal notices, public accessibility, government transparency, digital publication, government agencies, temporary door locking device, emergency safety, building code, training programs, fire exit security, affordable housing, land development, starter homes, local government regulations, housing shortage
Summary:
The committee took up a broad agenda of local government, land use, housing, and public notice bills. It reported favorably SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, SB 1612 requiring local governments to accept electronic payments, SB 1180 creating a recall process for community development district board members and adding related CDD provisions on synthetic turf and compact urban mixed-use districts, SB 936 on temporary door locking devices, CS/SB 380 expanding options for publishing legal notices, SB 962 clarifying that the Live Local zoning preemption does not unintentionally capture farms and farm operations, SB 1444 on state preemption involving religious gatherings, private clubs, and certain permitting issues, SB 218 narrowing hurricane-related land-use protections to affected counties, SB 1020 regulating chickee huts, and SB 1434 creating a redevelopment framework for environmentally impacted parcels in certain urban counties. Several of these bills were amended before passage, including SB 1180, SB 380, and SB 948.
Testimony was mixed on the more controversial measures. Supporters of SB 984 said the bill clarifies benefits for firefighters diagnosed with occupational cancer. On SB 380, the Florida Press Association and Common Cause opposed shifting legal notices away from newspapers and warned that publication would become more fragmented and harder to find, while the sponsor argued the bill would save money and reflect digital practices. SB 1444 drew support from Florida Family Voice on religious freedom grounds, but the Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties warned that the bill was broad, undefined in places, and could create unintended consequences for local zoning, parking, and permitting. SB 1434 on redevelopment of environmentally impacted land drew support from housing advocates but opposition from counties and cities, which said it would bypass local development review and could allow overdevelopment.
The committee also heard substantial testimony on SB 948, which would create a statewide framework for starter-home and lot-split regulations in residential areas. Supporters, including housing advocates, a Gainesville city commissioner, and an urban economist, said local regulations have constrained housing supply and that the bill would help produce more starter homes. Opponents, including the Florida Association of Counties, 1,000 Friends of Florida, and the Florida League of Cities, argued it would function as a statewide zoning code, reduce local planning authority, and create infrastructure and litigation concerns. The bill was amended and then laid over for further consideration after extensive debate and public comment.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- beds<00:09:54.680><c> into</c><00:09:55.440><c> a</c><00:09:55.600><c> secure</c><00:09:56.000><c> unit
- ><00:09:56.560><c> which</c><00:09:56.720><c> we</c><00:09:56.839><c> would</c> beds into a secure unit
- which we would beds into a secure unit which we would absolutely<00:09:57.760><c> support</c><00:09:
- on Aging so we is the state unit on Aging so we administer<01:07:53.760><c> these</c><01:07:54.039><
- unit on where the federally designated unit on Aging<01:10:41.800><c> Premier</c><01:10:42.360><c> Premier
Committee:
House Human Services Finance and Policy
Keywords:
psychiatric treatment, human services, mental health funding, per diem rate, Clay County, disability services, assistive technology, remote support, advocacy, training programs, HF487, Wellness in the Woods, Minnesota human services, grant funding, general fund appropriation, peer support, substance use recovery, addiction recovery, reentry services, reentry after incarceration
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Jun 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- dwelling unit ordinance to state HCD within 60 days of adoption, or respond to the department's findings
- dwelling unit ordinance to state HCD within 60 days of adoption, or respond to the department's findings
- SB 9 will ensure that local laws regarding permitting and construction of accessory dwelling units are
- SB9 will ensure that local laws regarding permitting and construction of accessory dwelling units are
- dwelling units, ADUs, and junior accessory dwelling units, which I refer to as junior ADUs.
Summary:
The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee met with a quorum and announced that SB 340 would be moved to a later hearing. The consent calendar included HR 44, SB 233, and SB 410, which were later approved. The committee then heard several housing-related bills, with testimony largely focused on streamlining accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules, regional planning, and homelessness response.
SB 9 would require local agencies to submit ADU ordinances to HCD within 60 days and respond to HCD findings within 30 days, or the ordinance would become null and void and state standards would apply. Supporters, including California YIMBY, Casita Coalition, UnidosUS, Housing Action Coalition, and Power California, argued the bill would strengthen enforcement of existing ADU law and reduce local barriers. The bill passed 7-0 with two abstentions and was sent to the Assembly Local Government Committee. SB 486 would exempt UC and CSU projects from having to analyze a no-project alternative under CEQA while requiring the universities to share enrollment forecasting data and participate in regional sustainable communities planning. It passed 9-0 and was referred to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.
SB 748, as amended, would expand funding and authority for safe parking sites and related services for people living in RVs or vehicles, using encampment resolution funding and requiring reporting by the California Interagency Council on Homelessness. The City of Compton, the Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association, and the League of California Cities supported the measure, emphasizing public health, neighborhood safety, and humane alternatives to displacement. The committee members discussed the limits of current encampment cleanup approaches and the need for services and temporary shelter; the bill passed 11-0 and was sent to the Assembly Human Services Committee. SB 543, a cleanup bill for ADU and junior ADU law, clarified review timelines, size standards, and consistency with existing ADU statutes; it also passed unanimously and was referred to the Assembly Local Government Committee.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- It clarifies that we would like to know the number of affordable units, market rate units, second homes
- , short-term rentals, long-term rentals, single unit and multi-unit dwellings being built in the exempt
- of affordable units, market rate units,<00:21:23.560><c> second</c><00:21:23.960><c> homes,</c><00:21
- </c><00:21:28.400><c> and</c> long-term rentals, single unit and long-term rentals, single unit and multi-unit
- > in</c><00:21:30.520><c> the</c> multi-unit dwellings being built in the multi-unit dwellings being
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Housing Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Housing
Transcript Highlights:
- An act to establish an Accessory Dwelling Unit Trust Fund builds on the success of last year's...
- dwelling units.
- I speak in support of House 1482, Senate 969, to establish an accessory dwelling unit trust fund.
- Senate 969 to establish an accessory dwelling unit trust fund.
- That’s the act to establish the accessory dwelling unit fund.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Housing
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Housing opened a hybrid hearing focused on housing production bills, with Chairs Julian Cyr and Rich Haggerty emphasizing Massachusetts’ housing shortage and the need to produce more than 200,000 units over the next decade. The committee then heard testimony on a wide range of proposals, including social housing, starter homes and the “missing middle,” accessory dwelling units (ADUs), single-stair residential buildings, permanent affordability homeownership, and housing for people with disabilities. Several witnesses framed the bills as tools to expand supply, lower costs, and address racial and generational wealth gaps.
Representative Connolly testified for H. 1478 on the Massachusetts Social Housing Program, describing publicly owned, mixed-income housing financed through a revolving loan fund. Senator Feeney testified for S. 989 on missing middle starter homes, arguing for zoning changes, incentives, and affordability tools to support smaller starter homes and duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. Multiple witnesses, including housing advocates, real estate representatives, and local officials, supported the ADU trust fund bill and the single-stair study bill, saying they would reduce barriers, support homeowners, and enable more family-sized and infill housing. Some witnesses opposed bills they said would weaken ADU reforms or add new restrictions, while others urged broader deregulation to speed production.
A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 1576/S. 1010, the Homes for Lasting Affordability bill, which would create a permanent affordability homeownership program for low- and moderate-income buyers and support small developments with long-term affordability restrictions. Testimony from community land trust leaders, legislators, and housing advocates emphasized that permanent affordability can preserve public investment, stabilize neighborhoods, and help families build wealth over generations. Senator Miranda and Representative Worrell tied the bill to closing the racial wealth gap and expanding access to homeownership for Black and Latino residents. The committee also heard testimony on S. 971, which would reform the Housing Development and Incentive Program to require more affordability in Gateway City projects.
The committee additionally heard from Senator Kennedy and disability advocates on S. 1004, which would strengthen the Alternative Housing Voucher Program for people with disabilities by codifying project-based vouchers and aligning the program more closely with other voucher systems. Witnesses described long waitlists and the lack of accessible, affordable units as major barriers that can lead to homelessness or unnecessary institutionalization. No votes were taken during the hearing; the session was devoted to testimony and questions from committee members.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/19/2026 - House Rural Economic Development
House Rural Economic Development Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- dwelling unit.
- dwelling unit.
- So as I visited with the accessory dwelling unit. And that seems really high to me.
- And so we allowed them to have these accessory dwelling units.
- dwelling units.
Summary:
The committee first took up HB 2950, which would allow a governing body to approve a tourism improvement area to promote tourism and lodging. Supporters from the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, Visit Yuma, and Visit Phoenix said the bill would give communities a voluntary, locally controlled tool to market destinations, attract events, and strengthen rural and urban tourism economies without raising taxes on residents. Members discussed tourism’s economic importance in places like Yuma and other rural communities, and the bill was moved forward with a due pass recommendation on a 7-0 vote.
The committee then held a presentation on rural economic development in Pinal County, focusing on the Lucid Motors project and its workforce partnership with Central Arizona College. Speakers from the Arizona Commerce Authority, Central Arizona College, and Lucid described the Drive48 training program, the creation of a skilled workforce pipeline, and broader economic impacts such as higher wages, job creation, and related growth in housing and infrastructure. The committee also read proclamations recognizing Lucid Motors and Central Arizona College for their contributions to economic development in rural Arizona.
Finally, the committee heard HB 2946, which revises development fee requirements and prohibits development fees on accessory dwelling units. The sponsor argued the bill was intended to address housing affordability and reduce burdens on families and builders, while cities, towns, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, and municipal attorneys opposed it, saying it would shift costs from growth to existing taxpayers and weaken the principle that growth should pay for growth. An amendment in the chair’s name was adopted to remove county-related provisions and make clarifying changes. The amended bill was then passed with a 4-1 vote and two members voting present.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Feb 26th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- proud and vocal patriot who dedicated significant time and resources to supporting members of the United
Bills:
SB1246 , SB1510 , SB1979 , SB1929 , SB1930 , SB1976 , HCR1019 , SB1459 , SB1673 , SB1500 , SB1447 , SB1646 , SB2007 , SB1275 , SB2074
Keywords:
environmental permitting, Oklahoma, Department of Environmental Quality, public participation, regulatory framework, administered applications, energy, wind energy, financial assurance, property restoration, environmental regulation, mining, blasting, residential protection, buffer zone, Department of Mines, public utilities, electric transmission lines, landowner rights, payment regulations
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Housing Sep 16th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- There was a cap of 50% on accessory dwelling units. There was also a cap on co-living units.
- dwelling units.
- There was also a cap on co-living. of 50% on accessory dwelling units.
- dwelling units, middle housing, and whatnot.
- The development partner would build two detached accessory dwelling units, $350,000 a unit, for 750 square
Summary:
The Senate Housing Committee heard presentations on a range of housing finance, permitting, and affordability tools. Chattanooga described its affordable housing PILOT program, which uses a per-unit property tax abatement tied to the rent loss from providing affordable units, with a 15-year term and annual compliance monitoring. Committee members asked about the program’s structure, whether it had been used elsewhere, and who was participating; the presenter said the first mixed-income project would bring 278 units with 42 affordable units and that the model was attracting private market-rate developers. Shoreline then described its MFTE and inclusionary zoning approach, emphasizing that longer tax exemption periods and station-area zoning changes had helped spur development, with most current pipeline projects concentrated near light rail stations.
The committee also heard from the Municipal Research Services Center and the Department of Commerce on tax increment financing, proportional impact fees, and permit timelines. Commerce explained that TIF can fund public improvements such as roads, utilities, broadband, and some affordable housing or child care facilities, while proportional impact fee guidance is intended to help jurisdictions charge fees more closely aligned with actual project impacts. On permit timelines, Commerce presented its first annual report under recent law changes, using 2024 as a baseline year and noting that reported timelines were generally longer than statutory goals; members asked about outliers, paper versus electronic processing, and whether back-and-forth between applicants and staff was driving delays. Commerce said it would follow up with more data, including on CHIP funding and permit reform practices.
Several local governments then shared permitting process improvements. Auburn reported relatively short review cycles and described its move to fully electronic permitting, internal performance standards, and a stock plan program that speeds review for repeated home designs. Bellevue described an AI permitting pilot with a local startup to help with pre-application questions, document triage, and plan review, aiming to reduce incomplete applications and revision cycles. Seattle presented a pilot for accessory dwelling unit co-development in which a mission-driven partner would help homeowners split lots, finance, build, and manage ADUs, with the homeowner eventually buying out the partner and retaining ownership; committee members asked about rent setting, management fees, and default risk, and staff said they would follow up. The committee also heard brief overviews of community land trusts and limited equity cooperatives as permanent affordability models, with presenters urging continued state and local funding support and policy recognition for these approaches.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Public Safety Subcommittee Apr 8th, 2026 at 04:30 pm
Public Safety
Committees:
House Public Safety , House A&B Public Safety Subcommittee
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- And then it goes on to essentially say that cities can't restrict accessory dwelling units from being
- constructed on single-family Accessory dwelling units from being constructed on single-family property
- And so this, having an accessory dwelling unit, allows maybe, like a neighbor of mine a few doors up,
- dwelling unit should be, is what this group has talked about.
- Thank you, ma'am, for your accessory dwelling unit should be, is what this group has talked about.
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Human Resources
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- dwelling units outside urban growth areas.
- units or hotels are allowed, it... ...where dwelling units or hotels are allowed, it must be allowed
- Hearing on Engrossed House Bill 1345, establishing limitations on detached accessory dwelling units outside
- It continues much of the good work that this body has done around legalizing accessory dwelling units
- Instead, it gives counties the option to permit accessory dwelling units on existing parcels outside
Committee:
Senate Housing
Keywords:
residential building, construction permits, housing development, planning efficiency, state regulations, affordable housing, homelessness, homeless shelter, emergency shelter, emergency housing, supportive housing, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, low-income housing, very low-income, extremely low-income, housing crisis, land use, zoning, local preemption
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/19/2026 - House Rural Economic Development
Rural Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- dwelling unit.
- dwelling unit.
- So as I visited with... ...the accessory dwelling unit. And that seems really high to me.
- And so we allowed them to have these accessory dwelling units.
- dwelling units.
Committees:
House Rural Economic Development , House House Rural Economic Development Committee of Reference
Keywords:
SNAP, nutrition assistance, fast food, vitamins, waiver, food policy, municipal planning, homeowner association, building permits, single-family home, property rights, design standards, development fees, municipalities, infrastructure, public services, annual reporting, property development, tourism improvement area, TIA
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 3rd, 2026 at 10:00 am
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- dwelling units outside of an urban growth area and amending RCW 36.7 Z.
- Detached accessory dwelling units outside of an urban growth area, amending RCW 36.7.
- dwelling unit in rural areas.
- dwelling unit.
- I think if you can have an attached accessory dwelling unit, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able
Bills:
SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2272 , HB2340 , HB2543 , HB2554 , HB2632 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , SB6006 , SB6260 , SB6297 , SB6351 , SB6354 , SB6355 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624
Keywords:
tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on State Government (3-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- It also talks about accessory dwelling units that, if you choose to rent out an accessory dwelling unit
- </c> governments also talks about accessory governments also talks about accessory dwelling<00:21:58.080
- ><c> uh</c><00:22:00.159><c> choose</c><00:22:00.480><c> to</c> dwelling units that if you uh choose
- :01.960><c> accessory</c><00:22:02.320><c> dwelling</c><00:22:02.640><c> unit</c><00:22:02.880><c> in
- </c><00:22:02.960><c> a</c> ...rent out an accessory dwelling unit in a single-family neighborhood, the
Summary:
The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and took up several Senate bills, adopting committee substitutes where offered. Senate Bill 176, relating to statutory committees within the Legislative Research Commission, was presented by Senator Matt Nunn as a cleanup and process-streamlining measure for appointments, vacancies, and appointing authorities. It passed the committee 15-0 with a title amendment.
Senate Bill 104, presented by Senator Scott Maiden and the Kentucky Public Employees Deferred Compensation Authority, would update deferred compensation law by adding a fiduciary standard, allowing less expensive liability insurance, making federal-law compliance self-correcting, and authorizing a self-directed brokerage account option. It passed 15-0 with favorable expression. Senate Bill 9, presented by Senator Jimmy Higdon, would change teacher retirement-related leave provisions, including up to 30 days of maternity leave, a 13-day annual rollover toward retirement, limits on using annual leave to increase retirement benefits, reporting requirements, and related cleanup provisions. After questions about maternity leave, district flexibility, and the actuarial cost of additional days, it passed 15-0 with favorable expression.
Senate Bill 129, presented by Senator Rocky Adams and House sponsor Representative John Hudson, was described as a housing and redevelopment measure aimed at vacant, abandoned, and tax-delinquent properties in Louisville. Testimony focused on allowing qualified nonprofits to purchase certain tax-delinquent properties after a waiting period, along with provisions on density development, accessory dwelling units, urban development incentives, fire and code enforcement recovery, a Central Business District tax fix, and changes to binding elements. Members raised concerns about nonprofit qualifications, land bank overlap, and county clerk burden; the bill passed 13-1 with one pass and received a title amendment. Senate Bill 178, presented by Senator Mike Nemes, was a short reorganization bill to codify the transfer of the Department of Disability Determination Services Program from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the Labor Cabinet. It passed 12-0. The committee then recorded additional votes and adjourned, with the chair thanking members and staff, noting it was likely the final meeting of the year.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- dwelling units.
- <00:28:26.080><c> dwelling</c><00:28:26.480><c> units</c><00:28:27.480><c> accessory</c> accessory dwelling
- units accessory accessory dwelling units accessory dwelling<00:28:28.480><c> units</c> dwelling units
- dwelling units if in judging accessory dwelling units if in judging whether<00:40:05.119><c> it</c><
- </c> accessory dwelling unit and the accessory dwelling unit and the occupants<00:49:38.079><c> of</c
Committee:
House Housing
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Local Government Jan 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- When we're putting six different dwelling units, six different living units, family units, whatever they
- might be, there's a different risk category than if it's just your own single unit, your dwelling unit
- And that design could be anything from an accessory dwelling unit that we want to make repeatable and
- And that design could be anything from, here's an accessory dwelling unit, And that design could be anything
- from here's an accessory dwelling unit that we want to make repeatable and have confidence that we can
Summary:
The committee held its first official work session with member and staff introductions, then received an update from the State Building Code Council on the current three-year code cycle and several legislatively directed code changes. Council staff said the council is moving toward CR-102 rulemaking and final adoption in the spring, with legislative mandates nearing completion on minimum dwelling unit size, emergency shelters, single-exit stairs for buildings up to six stories and 24 units, and sixplexes in the residential code. Members asked about how technical advisory groups are selected, and staff explained that the council advertises seats, reviews applications and recommendations, and approves members in public meetings, typically including firefighters, engineers, architects, and other subject-matter experts.
A major portion of the meeting focused on the single-stair and sixplex work and on how fire safety, egress, and local service levels are being considered. Council representatives said the single-stair proposal includes emergency escape and rescue openings on all levels and is intended to provide more options for safe egress while reducing building footprint and cost. They emphasized that the recommendations are still entering the public rulemaking process and that cost-benefit considerations were part of the legislative intent. Members also raised questions about whether self-rescue devices or other builder options could be codified, and council staff said such ideas are considered through the advisory process, though not all become required code provisions.
The second half of the session covered performance-based codes, prompted by a bill referred to as HB 2381. Todd Byrd explained the difference between prescriptive codes, which specify exact solutions, and performance-based codes, which set outcomes and allow designers and manufacturers more flexibility in how to meet them. He described the bill as a narrow proposal for low-rise residential buildings up to 24 units and under the high-rise threshold, with third-party or state certification and local jurisdiction approval still required. He cited international examples, especially Japan and Sweden, where performance-based approaches supported innovation and prefabrication, and said such systems can lower costs while maintaining safety. Members discussed seismic safety, builder participation, embodied carbon, and energy-code interactions, and council staff said the proposal could help align material, energy, and design optimization without changing the existing energy code. The committee took no vote and adjourned after the informational presentation and discussion.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><02:11:46.400><c> zoning</c> accessory dwelling units in all zoning accessory dwelling units in all
- One access accessory dwelling dwellings.
- <02:11:59.360><c> dwelling</c><02:11:59.760><c> unit</c><02:12:00.239><c> without</c> accessory dwelling
- unit without accessory dwelling unit without additional<02:12:01.199><c> requirements</c><02:12:01.760
- units on a on support accessory dwelling units on a on a<02:16:22.560><c> atne</c><02:16:23.119><c>
Committee:
Senate Commerce