SB 481 · 2026 · Senate · Finance Committee

Sale of Sununu youth center property

(New Title) relative to the sale of the Sununu youth services center property.

Directs the department of administrative services to take possession of the Sununu Youth Services Center property, negotiate its sale subject to approval by the governor and council, and deposit sale proceeds into the general fund.AI-generated

Status

Vetoed by the governor — the override vote has not been held yet · July 14, 2026

✓Introduced
✓Senate
✓House
Governor
Law

Governor's veto message

“The budget I signed last year stated that 'All proceeds and revenue from the sale of the SYSC shall be deposited in the youth development center claims and administration settlement fund, established in RSA 21-M:11-a.' Given the history of the facility, I believe it is appropriate to dedicate revenues from the sale of the SYSC to the settlement fund. For this reason, I have vetoed Senate Bill 481.”

— 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. Makes an appropriation to the youth development center settlement fund. II. Directs the department of administrative services to take possession of the Sununu youth services center (SYSC) property, to negotiate any contracts necessary for the sale of the property, subject to approval by the governor and council, and authorizes the department to request an additional appropriation to maintain the property, subject to approval of the fiscal committee and governor and council. III. Provides that if the sale of the SYSC property is finalized prior to June 30, 2027, proceeds of the sale shall be deposited in the general fund and if the sale is finalized after June 30, 2027, proceeds from the sale shall be deposited in the youth development center settlement fund.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as passed by both chambers.

“Notwithstanding RSA 4:40, the department of administrative services shall take possession of the entire property currently housing the SYSC on South River Road in Manchester, New Hampshire and commence a search, by whatever reasonable means necessary, for a purchaser of the property.”

2:4, I

This directs the state to take possession of the Sununu Youth Services Center site and seek a buyer.AI-generated

“Identification of a purchaser that will enhance the tax and business tax rolls of the city of Manchester and the state of New Hampshire shall be a high priority.”

2:4, II

The bill prioritizes buyers who would add to Manchester's and the state's tax base.AI-generated

“The department shall offer the property for sale at not less than market value and shall consult with the city of Manchester, the New Hampshire department of business and economic affairs, and other organizations, as appropriate, prior to any sale of the property.”

2:4, III

It sets a market-value floor on the sale price and requires consultation with the city and state economic affairs.AI-generated

“All proceeds and revenue from the sale of the SYSC shall be deposited in the general fund.”

2:4, V

Sale proceeds are directed to the state general fund.AI-generated

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Public testimony

4 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

ForSale proceeds would help fund victim settlements

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I. Directs the department of administrative services to take possession of the Sununu youth services center (SYSC) property, to negotiate any contracts necessary for the sale of the property, subject to approval by the governor and council, and authorizes the department to…”

— Germano Martins, Hooksettsupports

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings and debates

Jan 13, 2026Public hearingSenate Finance23:45–33:5310m 8s
Jan 29, 2026Floor debateSenate floor2:24:56–2:31:096m 13s
Apr 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance2:23–16:2514m 2s
Apr 27, 2026Executive sessionHouse Finance11:11–30:5319m 42s
May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floor1:06:19–1:24:0017m 41s

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

Votes

yeanay

Starting text: Bill as introduced

Jan 29, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0200s4–1
Overall
80% yea
Jan 29, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-0200sadopted
Jan 29, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0200sadopted
Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
Apr 27, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1503h13–11
Overall
54% yea
May 7, 2026HouseDivisionAmendment 2026-1503hAdopted186–158
Overall
54% yea
May 7, 2026HouseRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1503hAdopted186–157How they voted
Overall
54% yea
Party-line vote
Republicans
186–498% yea
Democrats
0–1530% yea
Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Gray Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of Cadopted
Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteHouse Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Rep. Weyler)adopted
Jun 4, 2026HouseRoll callConference committee report 2026-2029cAdopted189–158How they voted
Overall
54% yea
Party-line vote
Republicans
189–597% yea
Democrats
0–1520% yea
Other
0–10% yea
Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteConference committee report 2026-2029cadopted

Legislative history

Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Finance; SJ 1
Jan 13, 2026SenHearing: 01/13/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:20 pm; SC 46
Jan 29, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0200s, 01/29/2026, Vote 4-1; SC 3
Jan 29, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0200s, AA, VV; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
Jan 29, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0200s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Finance HJ 5 P. 124
Apr 13, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/13/2026 10:00 am GP 230
Apr 20, 2026HouseDiv III Work Session: 04/20/2026 09:00 am GP 230
Apr 27, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/27/2026 01:00 pm GP 230
Apr 27, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1503h 04/27/2026 (Vote 13-11; RC) HC 18 P. 12
Apr 28, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1511h
May 7, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1503h: AA DV 186-158 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 22
May 7, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1503h: MA RC 186-157 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 22
May 7, 2026SenSen. Gray Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C, MA, VV; (In Recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12
May 7, 2014SenPresident Appoints: Senators Gray, Innis, Rosenwald; (In Recess 05/07/2014); SJ 12
May 14, 2026HouseHouse Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Rep. Weyler): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
May 14, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Mooney, D. McGuire, Leishman, Packard 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
May 22, 2026SenCommittee of Conference Meeting: 05/22/2026, 01:00 pm, Room 159, GP
May 21, 2026HouseConferee Change: Rep. Seaworth Replaces Rep. Leishman 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 32
May 22, 2026SenConferee Change; Senator Birdsell Replaces Senator Rosenwald; SJ 14
May 28, 2026HouseConference Committee Report # 2026-2029c Filed 05/28/2026; As Amended by the House HC 22
Jun 1, 2026HouseRemoved from Consent (Reps. Telerski, Simpson, Wallner, Hakken-Phillips, E. Kelly, K. Murray, Rung, Ebel, Preece, Muns) 06/01/2026 HJ 14
Jun 4, 2026HouseConference Committee Report 2026-2029c: Adopted, RC 189-158 06/04/2026 HJ 15
Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-2029c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
Jul 10, 2026SenVetoed by Governor 07/10/2026

Coverage

Senate Bill 481: Sununu Center sale proceeds debatedValley News · May 29, 2026
State lawmakers decided under SB 481 that proceeds from selling the Sununu Youth Services Center should go to the state's general fund rather than directly into the settlement fund for abuse victims.AI-generated
NH House Votes To Keep YDC Sale Money in General FundInDepthNH · May 7, 2026
The House voted 186-157 to approve SB 481, directing proceeds from the anticipated sale of the Sununu Youth Services Center property to the state's General Fund rather than the YDC Settlement Fund.AI-generated
Governor: Sununu Center sale profits should go to YDC victimsUnion Leader · Jul 10, 2026
Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoed SB 481, saying revenues from the Sununu Youth Services Center sale should be dedicated to the victim settlement fund rather than the state treasury.AI-generated
SB 481 (2026)Citizens Count
Citizens Count summarizes SB 481 as addressing procedures for selling the Sununu Youth Services Center and directing sale proceeds, a measure vetoed by the governor.AI-generated

Background reading

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

N.H. agrees to pay $239 million to settle claims of abuse at state-run facilityNH context
The Boston Globe — Reports on the scale of the Youth Development Center abuse settlements paid to survivors.AI-generated
YDC Abuse Fund Payouts Top $125MNH context
InDepthNH — Covers the state settlement fund's payouts and the volume of pending abuse claims.AI-generated
Report finds the state failed children at NH's youth detention center. Here are 5 takeaways.NH context
New Hampshire Public Radio — Summarizes an oversight investigation into conditions and the closure of the Sununu Youth Services Center.AI-generated
If YDC is sold, lawmakers want to send the money back to the state — not victimsNH context
New Hampshire Public Radio — Examines the dispute over whether sale proceeds should go to the general fund or the victims' settlement fund.AI-generated
Governor: Sununu Center sale profits should go to YDC victimsNH context
New Hampshire Union Leader — Reports the governor's position that proceeds from selling the property should compensate abuse survivors.AI-generated
SB 481 (2026) | NH LegislationNH context — nonpartisan
Citizens Count — A nonpartisan summary of the bill setting out how the Sununu Center property sale would proceed.AI-generated

Documents (PDF)

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