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HB 1570 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Local oversight of immigration enforcement deals

AI-generated

relative to governmental budget authority for agreements for law enforcement agencies to participate in federal immigration enforcement.

Requires a law enforcement agency to obtain approval from its local governmental budget authority, including a cost estimate and public notice, before entering or continuing a Section 287(g) federal immigration enforcement agreement, and allows that authority to terminate the agreement.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires local budgetary authority before a law enforcement agency enters into an agreement with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration law, grants the budgetary authority continuing power to terminate the agreement, and provides for a penalty for failure to comply.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Buzz ScherrDPrime
  • Rep. Paul BerchDDeputy Ranking Member· Judiciary
  • Rep. David MeuseDDeputy Ranking Member· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Alissandra MurrayDClerk· Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Also: Rep. Chris MunsD

Public testimony

505 signed in online · 110 wrote testimony

98% support2% oppose0% neutral

ForLocal governing bodies should control ICE participation

AgainstBudget-approval requirement would delay public safety cooperation

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I write in support of HB 1570. I represent a small community which is struggling under many budget constraints. The open-ended expenses consequent to participation in a federal adventure of unknown duration is a cost that cannot be born by local taxpayers.…”
— Janet Lucas, Camptonsupports
“Marriage Equality has been the law of the land now since 2015, giving much needed legal status and security to those of us in committed same gender relationships and households.…”
— Diane Root, Wolfeborosupports
“ICE is not following professional law enforcement standards. History will not be kind to the current abuses.”
— Elizabeth Nelson, Derrysupports
“I am writing to respectfully oppose the bill that would require local budgetary authority approval before a law enforcement agency may enter into an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This proposal would introduce unnecessary delays and political barriers into critical public safety decisions.…”
— Conni White, Portsmouthopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-2210:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 26
  2. Jan 22, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2026 11:00 am GP 159
  3. Jan 22, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/22/2026 01:30 pm GP 159
  4. Jan 22, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/22/2026 (Vote 7-6; RC) HC 6 P. 10
  5. Feb 12, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 198-161 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 17

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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