NH House Testimony

HB1159

House · 2026 sessionRepublicanSigned into law

Update to state building code

AI

Updates the definition of the state building code.

relative to updating the state building code.

Zoning and PlanningMunicipalities

Status

Signed into law · May 12, 2026
  1. Introduced
  2. House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Division of testimony

71 submissions
Support 5Oppose 66Neutral 0
Robert DrysdaleOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

This bill should be amended to include the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code alongside the other code books.

Patricia HuntOpposeFranconia, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

HB 1159 amends state building code, but not the International Energy Conservation Code – so it would lock in higher energy bills for decades.

Daniel RichardsonOpposeNashua, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

Every time you people update to the latest coded, you make it much more expensive and painful for updates and remodeling to old house structures. It is stupid and unnecessary for existing housing stock. If you want, MAKE IT APPLICABLE ONLY TO NEW HOUSING.

Tiffany GladuOpposeGoffstown, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

I oppose this bill because it reduces transparency or public oversight and does not meaningfully improve outcomes for New Hampshire residents.

Martha McDanielOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

I oppose this bill as outlined, because it does not update the building energy code to current standards.

Sarah YoungOpposeHANOVER, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

This Bill is incomplete without including The 2024 International Energy Conservation Code alongside the other code books. We need to pay attention to what makes a building energy efficient and the best way for a building to be energy efficient is to build it to spec from the start.

Melinda StuckerOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

New Hampshire - join the 21st Century!!!! Include the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code to this bill. Don't you know that the world is burning? Do it for your children. OPPOSE THIS BILL - get with the program NH!

Shirley MontgomeryOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

This bill should be amended to include the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code alongside the other code books. The most cost effective time to build an energy efficient building is the time of construction.

Janet FlandersOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

The state codes need to be updated also - energy efficiency is cost effective if done at the time of new construction .

Nancy MilesOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

I oppose this bill since it doesn't bring ALL building codes up to 2024 standards. This bill should be amended to include the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code and the 2023 Electrical Code so that all codes are up to the 2024 standards. Energy efficiency is much less expensive to incorporate into a building when it is first constructed and not after it has already been built.

Melissa MarryOpposeDover, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

This bills ammends many codes but it does not do anything to the 'International Energy Conservation Code" leaving it the same as the 2018 version of the code. This seems irresponsible and naive considering how the energy sector has changed since 2018, not to mention now more than ever we should be actively taking steps to rely on cleaner energy for our environment and public health. Energy bills are already higher than ever and something needs to change. New Hampshire deserves better than that.

Sharon RacusinOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

Update the whole thing including energy and electric codes. We need energy efficiency. That is the cost of doing business now.

Barbara CallawayOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

This bill should be amended to include the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code alongside the other code books. The most cost effective time to build an energy efficient building is the time of construction. To leave out the update for this important code is a mistake.

Nancy LaddOpposeWarner, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

it needs to be amended to include an update to the international energy conservation code.

Lois CoteOpposeManchester, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

This bill blatantly serves the interests and protects the profits of the fossil fuel giants at the expense of ratepayers by failing to update ONLY the International Energy Conservation Code among all the codes it otherwise updates. Leaving this one code at the 8-year-old 2018 level will "lock in higher energy bills for decades and undermine NH’s economic competitiveness" (Paul Bemis, NH ASHRAE).

Susan RichmanOpposeDurham, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

This bill would not have new buildings meet available energy efficiency measures - thus locking in high energy costs for the life of the building.

Shea FlanaganOpposeGoffstown, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

This bill amends the state building code by updating the International Building Code, International Existing Building Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, and International Residential Code from 2021 to 2024. However, it does not do anything to the International Energy Conservation Code, leaving it at the 2018 code. Paul Bemis (NH ASHRAE) says this "would lock in higher energy bills for decades and undermine NH’s economic competitiveness".

Catherine BushueffOpposeSunapee, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

I oppose this bill because modern energy codes lower long-term costs by reducing energy bills and protecting homeowners from inefficient construction. Rolling back these standards would lock in higher expenses for decades and weaken New Hampshire’s economic competitiveness.

Emerald LevickOpposeGilsum, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

This does not include the International Energy Conservation Code. We must keep increasing building energy efficiency in line with technology so we can achieve energy freedom and reduced longterm energy costs in our state.

Russell SiggelkoeOpposeMoultonborough, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

Karen BemisOpposeBristol, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

My name is Karen and I live and vote in Bristol. I am OPPOSED to this bill because building Energy Codes reduce the cost of home and building ownership by lowering monthly energy bills. Homeowners and building owners need to be protected from unscrupulous builders that do not use the proper materials and methods needed to produce an energy efficient building, forcing these ever-rising costs onto the unknowing building owner or homeowner. Modern building codes are one of the most cost-effective tools for improving energy efficiency, protecting consumers, and lowering long-term costs. Rolling back code updates would lock in higher energy bills for decades and undermine NHs economic competitiveness. Why would you want to do that?

Catharine FarkasOpposeSanbornton, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Margaret JernstedtOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Susan MooreOpposeWhitefield, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Bridget PowersSupportPlymouth, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.