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HB 490 · 2025 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Homelessness aid liability protection

AI-generated

relative to indemnification for municipalities adopting policies to address homelessness.

Allows public property to be used to shelter and aid homeless individuals and indemnifies the governmental unit from injury-related claims absent intentional misconduct or conscious disregard for safety.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 13, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill allows public property to be used to aid and shelter the homeless and indemnifies the governmental unit from claims for injury related to such aid and shelter absent intentional misconduct or a conscious disregard for safety.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“All public property may be used for leisure time activities and temporary shelter and/or aid for the homeless, provided that prior approval for its use has been granted by the appropriate authority in charge of that property.”
RSA 35-B:6
“A governmental unit providing temporary shelter shall be exempt from all statutes and common law pertaining to tenancy and occupancy.”
RSA 507-B:12
“A cooperating agency may establish its own system of just compensation for the leisure time use of such properties.”
RSA 35-B:6
“Similarly, any authority or body in charge of any public property may refuse use of its property for leisure service activities or providing temporary shelter and/or aid to the homeless if interference in the intended use of the property would result.”
RSA 35-B:6

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Heath HowardDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Jim MaggioreDDeputy Ranking Member· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Christine SeibertDRanking Member· State, Federal, and Veterans Affairs
  • Rep. Daniel VeilleuxDDeputy Ranking Member· Transportation
  • Rep. Alissandra MurrayDClerk· Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Also: Rep. Luz BayD, Rep. Amy MaloneD, Rep. Jodi NewellD, Rep. Marc PlamondonD, Rep. Aboul KhanR, Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

167 signed in online · 11 wrote testimony

94% support6% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“NH Citizens include homeless citizens. Our local , county, state governments have a duty to address the homeless population and render safety and aid. Use of public facilities should be allowed.”
— Irene Hall, Exetersupports
“As a mother I feel strongly that decisions related to pregnancy are personal between a women and her partner and her doctor. Not every pregnancy goes as hoped for or when the woman is ready.…”
— Elizabeth Nelson, Derrysupports
“I strongly support municipal actions to address homelessness, a serious and growing problem.”
— Gabriele Lieberg, Newfieldssupports
“Say NO to hobo camps and tramp towns as attractive nuisance and magnet for cross-border nomads.…”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 3, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 18, 2025Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government2:09:34–2:28:0618m 32slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 3, 2025Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government5:16:21–5:20:384m 17slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Mar 13, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 3 P. 13
  2. Feb 18, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/18/2025 10:20 am LOB 201
  3. Mar 3, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2025 01:00 pm LOB 301-303
  4. Mar 3, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/03/2025 (Vote 18-0; CC)
  5. Mar 13, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 15

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.