Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
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SB 521 · 2026 · Senate · Judiciary Committee

Ban on unauthorized private camping

AI-generated

relative to unauthorized camping on private property.

Prohibits camping without permission on another person's private property and establishes penalties for violations.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · April 9, 2026
  1. Introduced
  2. Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits camping without permission on another's private property and adds penalties for such violations.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Tara ReardonDPrime
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Ruth WardRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Sen. Denise RicciardiRDeputy Majority Leader

Also: Sen. Tim McGoughR, Sen. Pat LongD, Sen. Debra AltschillerD

Public testimony

13 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

46% support46% oppose8% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

Pushing more financial burdens on our unhoused population isn't going to improve anything. The money being spent on policing people suffering could be going to actual intervention methods and improved shelter capacity.
Alexandra Prescott, raymondopposes
There shouldn't be financial punishment for the unhoused. The cost of living is the issue here.
Aidan Boucher, Concordopposes
Why does this exclude the smaller towns? The old fashioned way of removing trespassers tends to be frowned upon and I'm not carrying a law enforcement professional in my pocket.
Simon Berrio, Daltonneutral

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-081:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing
  • 2026-03-1810:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 1
  2. Jan 8, 2026SenHearing: 01/08/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:15 pm; SC 47
  3. Jan 29, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 01/29/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 3
  4. Jan 29, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 5 P. 124
  6. Mar 18, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/18/2026 12:30 pm GP 159
  7. Mar 20, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/20/2026 02:00 pm GP 159
  8. Mar 20, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/20/2026 (Vote 12-0; CC)
  9. Apr 9, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 11

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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