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HB 1139 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Criminal trespass on secured premises

AI-generated

relative to criminal trespass on secured premises.

Amends the definition of secured premises for purposes of the criminal trespass offense and adds requirements property owners must meet to establish part of their property as secured premises.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill amends the definition of secured premises for the purpose of the offense of criminal trespass, and provides additional requirements for property owners to establish a part of their property as a secured premises.

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

“A person may post his land to prohibit criminal trespass and physical activities by posting signs of durable material with any words describing the physical activity prohibited, such as "No Hunting or Trespassing", printed with block letters no less than 2 inches in height, and with the name and address of the owner or lessee of such land.”
RSA 635:4
“Such signs shall be posted not more than 100 yards apart on all sides and shall also be posted at gates, bars and commonly used entrances.”
RSA 635:4
“This section shall not prevent any owner from adding to the language required by this section.”
RSA 635:4
“Compliance with the factors in paragraph II may be considered by the finder of fact in any case where there is a dispute regarding whether a premises was adequately posted or whether proper notice was given.”
RSA 635:4

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Deborah AylwardRPrime

Rep. David FrachtD

Public testimony

5 signed in online · 4 wrote testimony

20% support80% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I oppose HB1139 because it will disrupt hundreds of years of common law and our statutory criminal code.”
— Mary Hakken-Phillips, Hanoveropposes
“HB 1367 attempts to address real concerns but does so in a way that is overly broad, duplicative, and dangerous to free speech and civic engagement.”
— Kathleen Malsbenden, Newmarketopposes
“Testimony on HB 1139: Criminal Trespass on Secured Premises I urge careful consideration of HB 1139, which ostensibly aims to clarify criminal trespass laws while balancing the rights of landowners and the needs of vulnerable populations.…”
— georgina Lambert, Belmontopposes

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
  • Jan 23, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate11–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 12, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 15, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety4:05:35–4:15:3910m 4slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 12, 2026Floor 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 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  2. Jan 15, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/15/2026 12:00 pm GP 159
  3. Jan 23, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/23/2026 12:00 pm GP 159
  4. Jan 23, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/23/2026 (Vote 11-0; CC) HC 6 P. 3
  5. Feb 12, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 2

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

  • Public Forum DoctrineExplainer

    The First Amendment Encyclopedia (Middle Tennessee State University) — An academic overview of how courts classify government property and the speech rights that attach to each type.AI-generated

  • Time, Place and Manner RestrictionsExplainer

    The First Amendment Encyclopedia (Middle Tennessee State University) — Explains the limited, content-neutral restrictions governments may lawfully place on speech in public spaces.AI-generated

  • Protesters' RightsAccess / civil liberties

    American Civil Liberties Union — A rights guide describing where people may assemble on public property and how far the government can restrict it.AI-generated

  • Demonstrations and ProtestsNH context

    ACLU of New Hampshire — New Hampshire-specific guidance on protest rights and what to do if those rights are violated.AI-generated

  • Cruising the Circuits (First Amendment and Municipal Law Decisions)Municipal / legal

    International Municipal Lawyers Association — A municipal-lawyers review of recent rulings on when governments may bar individuals from public meetings and property.AI-generated

Documents (PDF)

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