Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

SB 162 · 2026 · Senate · Commerce Committee

Foreign land ownership near military bases

AI-generated

relative to restrictions on acquisition of ownership, controlling, and occupancy interests in real property by certain foreign principals on or around certain military installations, and criminal penalties and civil forfeiture procedures for illegal acquisition.

Restricts foreign principals from countries of concern from acquiring ownership, controlling, or occupancy interests in real property within 10 miles of a protected military installation, requires an affidavit confirming eligibility, and establishes criminal penalties and forfeiture procedures for violations.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · January 7, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill restricts foreign principals from countries of concern, or their agents, from acquiring ownership, controlling, or occupancy interests in real property within 10 miles of a protected facility. This bill also establishes an affidavit filing requirement to confirm eligibility for acquiring such property interests and introduces criminal penalties and a forfeiture procedure for violations.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the Senate. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“"Company” or "development" means a sole proprietorship, organization, association, corporation, partnership, trust, venture, group, subgroup, or any other entity or organization, including its subsidiary or affiliate, that exists for profit-making purposes or to otherwise secure economic advantage.”
RSA 477:22-b
“No foreign principal may acquire any ownership or controlling interest in real property within 10 miles of any protected facility by any means, including but not limited to, purchase, grant, contract, eminent domain, or demise.”
RSA 477:22-c
“Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude the attorney general's office from initiating a forfeiture action in accordance with RSA 477:22-f.”
RSA 477:22-d
“The attorney general's office may refer a violation of this section for prosecution to the county attorney's office in the county in which the subject property is located.”
RSA 477:22-e

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Regina BirdsellRPrimeMajority Leader
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Sharon CarsonRPresident of the Senate
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration

Also: Sen. Tim McGoughR

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 13, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0744s3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2025-0744sadopted
  • Mar 13, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0744sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Oct 28, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendarCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingSenate Commerce22:49–27:585m 9slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 13, 2025Floor debateSenate floor27:37–33:285m 51slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0744s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0744s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-0744s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 16, 2025Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs1:00:37–1:04:514m 14slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • May 6, 2025Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs3:17:49–3:18:571m 8slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session
  • May 14, 2025Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • May 27, 2025Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs3:52:35–3:53:451m 10slocated in the stream transcriptExecutive Session
  • Sep 10, 2025Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamFull Committee Work Session
  • Oct 28, 2025Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs2:10:27–2:13:142m 47slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Jan 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 3
  2. Feb 11, 2025SenHearing: 02/11/2025, Room 100, SH, 09:45 am; SC 9
  3. Mar 13, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0744s, 03/13/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 12
  4. Mar 13, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-0744s, AA, VV; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
  5. Mar 13, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0744s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
  6. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 11 P. 111
  7. Apr 16, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/16/2025 11:00 am LOB 302-304
  8. May 6, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 05/06/2025 01:15 pm LOB 302-304
  9. May 14, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 05/14/2025 10:00 am LOB 302-304
  10. May 27, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 05/27/2025 01:15 pm LOB 302-304
  11. May 28, 2025HouseRetained in Committee
  12. Sep 10, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 09/10/2025 10:00 am GP 229
  13. Oct 28, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 10/28/2025 11:00 am GP 229
  14. Oct 28, 2025House: Inexpedient to Legislate 10/28/2025 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 51 P. 5
  15. Jan 7, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 46

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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