Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 1706 · 2026 · House · Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee

Ending refugee resettlement program

AI-generated

repealing the refugee resettlement program in the department of health and human services and prohibiting expenditure of state funds on refugee resettlement.

Terminates the refugee resettlement program administered by the department of health and human services and prohibits any state agency from accepting or spending money to settle, fund, or otherwise assist refugee resettlement.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · April 10, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill repeals the refugee resettlement program in the department of health and human services and prohibits expenditure of state funds on refugee resettlement.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced.

“In this section "refugee resettlement program" means the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) and any other federal program or nonprofit program or grant designed to settle, fund, or otherwise help refugees or asylees.”
Section 1, I

The definition sets the reach: federal programs, nonprofit programs, and grants alike.AI-generated

“On the effective date of this section, the department of health and human services shall, as promptly as practicable, terminate any contracts administered under a refugee resettlement program.”
Section 1, II

Existing contracts would end "as promptly as practicable," with no wind-down period specified.AI-generated

“No department, agency, or administrative unit of state government may spend money to settle, fund, or otherwise assist refugee resettlement, either directly or indirectly via payments to towns or nongovernmental organizations.”
Section 1, VI

The broadest clause — it reaches indirect help routed through towns or nonprofits.AI-generated

“RSA 161:2, XVIII, relative to the New Hampshire refugee resettlement program, is repealed.”
Section 3

The repeal itself: the state program comes out of the human services statute.AI-generated

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Travis CorcoranRPrime
  • Rep. Joe AlexanderRChair· Housing
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law
  • Rep. Kristin NobleRChair· Education Policy and Administration
  • Rep. Jason OsborneRMajority Leader
  • Rep. James SpillaneRChair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Sen. Ruth WardRDeputy Majority Leader

Also: Rep. Mike BelcherR, Rep. Matt DrewR, Rep. Keith ErfR, Rep. Donald McFarlaneR

Public testimony

2,231 signed in online · 958 wrote testimony

23% support77% oppose0% neutral

ForNew Hampshire residents should be prioritized first

AgainstWelcoming refugees reflects national and state values

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“-This program is effectively being dismantled at the federal level. -Nobody in New Hampshire voted to receive foreign nationals. Nobody. -None of the people trafficked here voted to live in New Hampshire. -We are not here to save the rest of the world.…”
— Patrick Binder, Manchestersupports
“I live in New Hampshire and do not think taxpayers should be paying for resettlement, or providing any assistance to illegal immigrants that is funded by taxpayers. Money in New Hampshire should go to support New Hampshire American citizens.…”
— Penny Percey, Nelsonsupports
“Howdy, As a concerned member of the public I want to end the refugee resettlement program. My family is already poor and recieving absolutely zero public assistance. Why would we help complete foreigners before helping our own who this country was set up for?…”
— Jeremy Fischer, Bristolsupports
“PLEASE! USA Citizens only. We here in Claremont, really see our elderly struggling with the rising Property Taxes and this would really help. A step in the right direction.”
— Tara Haack, Claremont · Tara Haackopposes
“This bill pointlessly targets immigrants who have been extensively vetted and welcomed by our federal government and our state after escaping horrific persecution and violence.…”
— J Baines, Goffstownopposes
“This extremist bill would repeal New Hampshire’s refugee resettlement program and prohibit the use of state funds to assist refugees.…”
— Tram Fultz, Candiaopposes

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 4, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseRoll callIndefinitely Postpone (Rep. W. Thomas)Failed158–169How they voted
    Overall
    48% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    8–1685% yea
    Democrats
    150–199% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseRoll callLay HB1706 on Table (Rep. N. Germana)Failed161–170How they voted
    Overall
    49% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    9–1695% yea
    Democrats
    152–199% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseRoll callOught to PassAdopted170–164How they voted
    Overall
    51% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    170–896% yea
    Democrats
    0–1560% yea
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 24, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs4:52:44–5:31:4539m 1slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs47:34–57:5210m 18slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor9:43:18–9:55:4512m 27slocated in the stream transcriptIndefinitely Postpone (Rep. W. Thomas) — failed, roll call 158-169; Ought to Pass — adopted, roll call 170-164; Lay HB1706 on Table (Rep. N. Germana) — failed, roll call 161-170
  • Apr 1, 2026Public hearingSenate Health and Human Services2:53:19–2:55:222m 3slocated in the stream transcript==RECESSED== Hearing
  • Apr 2, 2026Public hearingSenate Health and Human Services3:40:39–4:08:2627m 47slocated in the stream transcript==RECONVENE== Hearing
  • Apr 16, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; Inexpedient 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 Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 1 P. 32
  2. Feb 23, 2026House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 02/23/2026 01:00 pm GP 158
  3. Feb 24, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/24/2026 01:00 pm GP 158
  4. Mar 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/04/2026 09:00 am GP 158
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 03/04/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 10 P. 51
  6. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseIndefinitely Postpone (Rep. W. Thomas): MF RC 158-169 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 195
  8. Mar 11, 2026HouseLay HB1706 on Table (Rep. N. Germana): MF RC 161-170 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 198
  9. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 170-164 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 200
  10. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 7
  11. Apr 1, 2026Sen==RECESSED== Hearing: 04/01/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:45 am; SC 12
  12. Apr 2, 2026Sen==RECONVENE== Hearing: 04/02/2026, Room 103, SH, 02:30 pm;
  13. Apr 16, 2026Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; 04/16/2026; SC 14
  14. Apr 16, 2026SenInexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 04/16/2026; SJ 9

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

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

  • U.S. Refugee Admissions ProgramPrimary source

    U.S. Department of State — The federal program the state program partners with, including how admissions ceilings are set.AI-generated

  • Refugees and asylees in the United StatesExplainer

    Migration Policy Institute — Who arrives, through what process, and what states actually administer.AI-generated

  • Refugee Council USAAdvocacy

    Refugee Council USA — The coalition of resettlement agencies, on what a state program does and what happens when it ends.AI-generated

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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