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.

In the bill's words

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

“No person shall pitch a tent or place or erect any other camping device or sleep on the ground within the public right-of-way or on public property unless permission is received from the governing board of the governmental authority having jurisdiction over such public right-of-way or property.”
RSA 236:58
“Any person who violates RSA 236:58 shall be guilty of a violation if a natural person, or guilty of a misdemeanor if any other person; and, in addition, shall be liable for the cost of restoration for any damage caused to a highway easement or right-of-way or to private land disturbed by such unlawful camping.”
RSA 236:59
“In any municipality with a population greater than 10,000 as determined by the most recent federal decennial census, no person shall camp, erect a tent, place or erect any other camping device, or sleep on the ground upon private property unless:”
RSA 236:58
“This paragraph shall not apply to campsites or recreational campgrounds or camping parks regulated pursuant to RSA 216-I.”
RSA 236:58

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Mar 20, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate12–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 9, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 8, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary48:31–59:1510m 44slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Jan 29, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 18, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety2:36:50–2:38:191m 29slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 9, 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 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.