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HB 1609 · 2026 · House · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Restricting funds for immigrant detention

AI-generated

limiting the use of state, county, and municipal funds and property for construction and operation of certain immigrant detention facilities.

Bars state, county, and municipal funds and property from being used to construct, sell, donate, or operate immigrant detention facilities, particularly those run by private entities, while allowing continued cooperation under 287(g) agreements.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 13, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill places restrictions on the use of state, county, and municipal funds and property for the purpose of detention of immigrants.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. David MeuseDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Nicholas GermanaDDeputy Democratic Floor Leader
  • Rep. Alissandra MurrayDClerk· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Christine SeibertDRanking Member· State, Federal, and Veterans Affairs
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader

Also: Rep. Luz BayD, Rep. Buzz ScherrD

Public testimony

2,270 signed in online · 1,195 wrote testimony

95% support5% oppose0% neutral

ForICE conduct violates due process or civil rights

AgainstObject to ICE conduct or funding despite opposing the bill

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Rep Suzanne Vail This bill draws a clear, principled line about the use of New Hampshire taxpayer resources. It does not interfere with federal authority over immigration, nor does it prohibit lawful cooperation under existing 287(g) agreements.…”
— Suzanne Vail, Nashua · Hillsborough 6supports
“I was so shocked to hear recently that the Trump Administration along with ICE was planning to exponentially increase their arrest and detention rate of undocumented immigrants. I have heard of some of the awful conditions these detainees face in our regular jails.…”
— Jana Howe, Merrimacksupports
“Residents' tax dollars need to go to programs that enhance the lives of those living in the state. Not to condemn people trying to make a living in our state or those who's backs bear the burden of helping businesses run in the state. No Kings in NH either.”
— Veronique Valentine, Newmarketsupports
“I am not in favor of supporting any money to towards any immigrant detention facilities. If we have extra money to spare it should be spent on Medicaid and education.”
— Marie Straiton, Pembrokeopposes
“We do not need this in our communities. Aside from it being utterly reprehensible to hold people without due process and Ayotte pandering to Trump’s illegal polices, the practicality of such a facility (there’s no long-term need for this here) and impact that protestors would have to our local communities is not worth it.”
— Rhianna Rakip, Nashuaopposes
“NH should not help in kidnapping, holding unlawfully, deport any human living here. It is unconstitutional.”
— Florence Steven, Hillsboroughopposes

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, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate9–7
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseDivisionSpecial Order to next order of business (Rep. Beauchemin)Failed130–190
    Overall
    41% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseVoice voteSpecial Order to the next order of business (Rep. Weber)adopted
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseRoll callInexpedient to LegislateAdopted185–154How they voted
    Overall
    55% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    183–0100% yea
    Democrats
    2–1541% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 15, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamPublic Hearing
  • Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration10:50–13:002m 10slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor7:12:08–7:18:436m 35slocated in the stream transcriptSpecial Order to next order of business (Rep. Beauchemin) — failed, division 130-190
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor7:05:38–7:10:515m 13slocated in the stream transcriptInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, roll call 185-154; Special Order to the next order of business (Rep. Weber) — 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 Executive Departments and Administration HJ 1 P. 28
  2. Jan 15, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/15/2026 01:30 pm GP 231
  3. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 01:00 pm GP 159
  4. Mar 3, 2026HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 03/03/2026 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 10 P. 88
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0207h
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseSpecial Order to next order of business (Rep. Beauchemin): MF DV 130-190 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 168
  7. Mar 12, 2026HouseSpecial Order to the next order of business (Rep. Weber): MA VV 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 100
  8. Mar 12, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 185-154 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 100

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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