HB 1609 New Hampshire House · 2026 Regular Session

limiting the use of state, county, and municipal funds and property for construction and operation of certain immigrant detention facilities.

HB 1609 prohibits New Hampshire state, county, and municipal governments from using public funds or property to build, operate, or pay for immigrant detention facilities, particularly those managed by private companies. It bans spending on construction, renovation, repurposing public property for detention, selling public property for such use, and making payments to private detention operators. The bill does not affect existing 287(g) agreements between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities or the provision of health and safety services to detained individuals. Counties may face potential revenue losses if they stop cooperating with federal immigration programs, but municipalities are not expected to have financial impacts.
Bill status failed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Dec 10, 2025 Last action Mar 13, 2026
Floor votes · House Mar 12, 2026

How they voted

10195
Passed · 26 other
Total votes 222
Mar 12, 2026
D Democratic107
1 Yea 95 Nay 11
88% Nay
I Independent2
1 Yea 1
50% Yea
R Republican113
99 Yea 14
87% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Mar 12, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (101-95-26)
house
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0207h
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Committee
Majority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/03/2026 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 10 P. 88
lower
Dec 10, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 1 P. 28
lower
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors

Sponsors