Kimberly Leeds

Dear Members of the House Ways and Means Committee, I am writing to respectfully oppose HB1068. Short-term rentals in New Hampshire are already subject to the Meals & Rooms tax and existing regulatory requirements. HB1068 proposes redefining “hotels” in a way that unnecessarily and confusingly sweeps short-term rentals into a category that does not accurately reflect how these properties operate. Short-term rentals are fundamentally different from hotels. They are privately owned homes, often owner-managed, dispersed throughout communities rather than concentrated in commercial zones. Lumping them into a hotel definition risks unintended regulatory consequences, increased compliance burdens, and future taxation or zoning issues that were never intended for residential properties. This change does not appear to solve a clear problem. Instead, it introduces ambiguity into an area where clarity already exists, creating uncertainty for homeowners who are currently operating legally and responsibly under existing law. New Hampshire has long supported a balanced approach to tourism that allows residents to participate while preserving local character. HB1068 threatens that balance by blurring important distinctions between commercial hospitality businesses and private homeowners. On a personal level, I am a single mother and need this income from my short-term rental helps offset the substantial costs of maintaining a home in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, including property taxes, insurance, utilities, and year-round upkeep in a highly seasonal climate. I regularly rely on local cleaners, contractors, and service providers, and my guests support nearby restaurants, shops, marinas, and other small businesses that depend on seasonal tourism. My home operates as a privately owned residence, not a commercial lodging business, and redefining it as a “hotel” does not reflect how it is used while introducing unnecessary regulatory complexity for responsible homeowners. For these reasons, I respectfully ask that HB1068 be opposed. Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration. Respectfully, Kimberly Leeds Bedford, New Hampshire