Bill > HB1609

This bill places significant restrictions on how state, county, and municipal funds and property can be used in relation to immigrant detention facilities. Specifically, the bill prohibits New Hampshire and its political subdivisions from: (1) spending funds to construct, renovate, or repurpose publicly-owned property as an immigrant detention facility, (2) selling or donating public property to any entity for use as an immigrant detention facility, (3) paying for or subsidizing costs related to the sale, construction, ownership, management, or operation of a privately-owned immigrant detention facility, and (4) providing payment for detention of individuals in a privately-owned immigration facility. The bill does include two important exceptions: it does not prevent law enforcement agencies with a 287(g) agreement (a specific type of cooperation agreement with federal immigration authorities) from working with federal immigration officials, and it does not prohibit local or state entities from providing health and safety resources to detained individuals. The bill is designed to limit local and state involvement in immigrant detention, particularly for facilities owned by private entities, and would take effect immediately upon passage. While the fiscal note suggests potential impacts on county revenues and potential legal costs, the immediate practical effect would be to create significant barriers to the development or support of immigrant detention facilities in New Hampshire.

Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1638&inflect=2