Bill > HB1606

This bill, known as the New Hampshire Real Property Security Act, aims to restrict Chinese nationals (defined as citizens or agents of the People's Republic of China who are not U.S. citizens) from acquiring or maintaining controlling interests in real property within New Hampshire. The legislation is based on the state's assessment that Chinese nationals pose potential national security risks through possible espionage, intellectual property theft, and technological threats. The bill prohibits PRC nationals from acquiring real property and provides a 90-day window for voluntary divestment of existing property holdings. Violations can result in significant penalties, including civil penalties of 25 percent of the property's value, criminal misdemeanor charges, and potential property forfeiture. The state can seize and auction properties found in violation, with proceeds split 60 percent to the general fund and 40 percent to the local jurisdiction. The bill also includes a unique bounty provision allowing individuals who provide information leading to successful property seizures to receive 5-10 percent of the net proceeds. Notably, the law is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, and includes a severability clause to protect other provisions if any part is found unconstitutional. The bill would require additional state resources, with the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security anticipating increased staffing and operational costs to enforce these regulations.

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https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1595&inflect=2