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HB 1184 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

No trespass orders on public property

AI-generated

relative to the issuance of no trespass orders on municipal or school district property.

Establishes procedures for issuing, extending, appealing, and reviewing no trespass orders on municipal and school district property, including hearing rights, and requires existing orders to be reissued or rescinded within 90 days.AI-generated

Status

Vetoed by the governor — the override vote has not been held yet · July 16, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Governor's veto message

“This bill seeks to establish a state mandated process for no trespass orders issued by municipalities and school districts causing them to expire every 90 days without further action. I have heard from counties, municipalities, school boards, libraries and police chiefs that this is unworkable. New Hampshire's local officials are best equipped to make these decisions in a manner that reflects the unique needs of their communities in a way that protects public safety and respects individual rights.”
— Gov. Kelly Ayotte · Jul 10, 2026 · excerpt
Governor's press release

A passage from the Governor's veto message, quoted verbatim. The full message enters the record on veto day.

Analysis

This bill: I. Establishes the process for issuing, extending, and appealing no trespass orders for municipal and school properties. II. Establishes procedural safeguards for individuals affected by these orders, including the right to a hearing and appeal.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as passed by both chambers.

“This act may be cited to and known as the "No Trespass Orders on Public Property Act."”
Section 1

Names the act, which governs no trespass orders on municipal and school property.AI-generated

“A governing body responsible for public property, or a person designated by the governing body, may issue an emergency no trespass order (NTO) directing a person to leave or not enter specified public property when immediate action is reasonably necessary to protect public safety, prevent substantial disruption of governmental operations, or prevent damage to public property.”
RSA 635:2-a, I(a)

Defines who may issue an emergency no trespass order and the grounds for doing so.AI-generated

“An emergency NTO shall be effective immediately but shall expire automatically no later than 35 days after issuance, unless approved pursuant to paragraph II.”
RSA 635:2-a, I(c)

Automatically expires emergency orders after 35 days unless the governing body approves an extension.AI-generated

“An individual subject to an NTO may appeal a final decision of the governing body to the superior court. Any appeal shall be filed within 30 days of the written decision.”
RSA 635:2-a, V

Provides a right to appeal a no trespass order to superior court within 30 days.AI-generated

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Juliet Harvey-BoliaRPrimeDeputy Majority Floor Leader
  • Rep. Lisa FreemanRAssistant Majority Whip
  • Rep. Diane PauerRChair· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Katy PeternelRVice Chair· Education Policy and Administration
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary

Also: Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR, Rep. James ThibaultR

Public testimony

46 signed in online · 16 wrote testimony

20% support80% oppose0% neutral

ForProtects free speech and the right to petition government

Against24-hour emergency order creates a safety gap

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support people's right to free speech especially when it comes to seeking redress on matters relating to the government schools.”
— Douglas Lambert, Gilfordsupports
“I support this bill for relief from arbitrary banning of citizens.”
— Colleen Thompson, Sanborntonsupports
“No trespass orders can improve safety, but they must protect students, community members, and public access rights.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Machestersupports
“NHSBA is in opposition to this bill. We will submit written testimony to the committee, given there are multiple hearings scheduled at the same time today. Thank you.”
— Rebecca Wilson, Concord · New Hampshire School Boards Associationopposes
“While the intent to ensure due process for citizens is worthy, the administrative framework HB1184 proposes creates severe safety risks for municipal employees and introduces logistical requirements that are functionally impossible for local governing bodies to meet.…”
— Martine Fiske, Keeneopposes
“I am very opposed to this bill. As a public librarian who deals face-to-face daily with unhoused, mentally ill, or people suffering with substance abuse challenges, losing the ability to remove an unsafe person from the building immediately is a huge safety issue for staff and the public.…”
— Susan Dunker, Madburyopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government43:45–1:40:2456m 39s
  • Mar 3, 2026Executive sessionHouse Municipal and County Government5:16–22:4017m 24s
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:52:16–1:53:461m 30sTimestamp located by Whisper transcription (this session video has no YouTube captions).
  • Apr 21, 2026Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs15:49–1:58:491h 43m

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 1 P. 9
  2. Jan 27, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/27/2026 09:55 am GP 154
  3. Feb 17, 2026House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 02/17/2026 09:00 am GP 154
  4. Mar 3, 2026House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 03/03/2026 10:30 am GP 154
  5. Mar 3, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0756h 03/03/2026 (Vote 18-0; RC) HC 10 P. 65
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0756h: AA VV 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 31
  7. Mar 12, 2026HouseFLAM # 2026-1089h (Rep. Pauer): AA VV 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 32
  8. Mar 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0756h and 2026-1089h: MA VV 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 33
  9. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7
  10. Apr 21, 2026SenHearing: 04/21/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:30 am; SC 15
  11. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1738s, 05/07/2026; Vote 3-1; CC; SC 17
  12. May 7, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1738s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  13. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1738s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  14. May 14, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1738s and Requests CofC (Rep. Pauer): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 150
  15. May 14, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Pauer, Rhodes, Harvey-Bolia, Maggiore 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 150
  16. May 14, 2026SenSen. Gray Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  17. May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Altschiller; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  18. May 26, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 02:00 pm GP 230
  19. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2078c; 06/04/2026
  20. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-2078c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
  21. Jun 4, 2026HouseConference Committee Report 2026-2078c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  22. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  23. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
  24. Jul 10, 2026HouseVetoed by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026

Coverage

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.