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HB 1606 · 2026 · House · Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee

Ban on Chinese nationals owning property

AI-generated

regulating real property ownership by Chinese nationals and providing for civil, criminal, and administrative penalties.

Restricts the acquisition of ownership or controlling interests in New Hampshire real property by Chinese (PRC) nationals and establishes civil, criminal, and administrative penalties for violations.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill restricts PRC nationals from acquiring ownership or controlling interests in real property in New Hampshire.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mike BelcherRPrime
  • Rep. Shane SiroisRClerk· Legislative Administration

Also: Rep. Kristine PerezR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR, Rep. Paul TerryR, Rep. John SellersR

Public testimony

4 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

50% support50% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Testimony on HB 1606: Regulating Real Property Ownership by Chinese Nationals I stand in strong opposition to HB 1606, as it embodies deeply racist and xenophobic underpinnings that not only target specific nationalities but also undermine the foundational principles of equality and justice enshrined in our Constitution.…”
— georgina Lambert, Belmontopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-1510:00 amHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsGP 229Public hearing
  • 2026-01-221:15 pmHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsGP 229Public hearing
  • 2026-02-041:00 pmHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsGP 229Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 1 P. 28
  2. Jan 15, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/15/2026 02:30 pm GP 229
  3. Jan 22, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 01/22/2026 01:15 pm GP 229
  4. Feb 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/04/2026 01:00 pm GP 229
  5. Feb 4, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/04/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 7 P. 5
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 7

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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