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Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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CACR16 • 2026

relating to property. Providing that individuals may sleep on property they own or have a legal right to occupy.

relating to property. Providing that individuals may sleep on property they own or have a legal right to occupy.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Ellen Read (D), Jodi Newell (D)
Last action
2026-02-09
Official status
HOUSE
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about the enforcement mechanisms of the amendment.

Right to Sleep on Owned or Occupied Property

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment allowing individuals to sleep on property they own or have legal permission to use, protecting this right from local laws that might try to stop it.

What This Bill Does

  • Adds a new article called Article 2-c to the New Hampshire Constitution.
  • Article 2-c states that people can sleep on their own land or where they are allowed by law.
  • It prevents any rules from being made that would make sleeping on such property illegal.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who own property
  • People with legal permission to use someone else's property

Terms To Know

Constitutional Amendment
A change or addition to a country’s constitution.
Legally Entitled
Having the legal right to do something.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if someone sleeps on property in an illegal way.
  • It is unclear how this amendment will be enforced or interpreted by local governments.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-09 H

    Majority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/03/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 10 P. 92

  2. 2026-02-09 H

    Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass

  3. 2026-01-28 H

    Executive Session: 02/03/2026 10:00 am GP 231

  4. 2026-01-14 H

    Public Hearing: 01/27/2026 02:30 pm GP 231

  5. 2025-12-01 H

    Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Housing HJ 1 P. 40

Official Summary Text

relating to property. Providing that individuals may sleep on property they own or have a legal right to occupy.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
CACR 16 - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION
26-2640
06/08

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
16

RELATING TO:
property.

PROVIDING THAT:
individuals may sleep on property they own or have a legal right to occupy.

SPONSORS: Rep. Read, Rock. 10; Rep. Newell, Ches. 4

COMMITTEE: Housing

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ANALYSIS

This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution affirms the individual right of persons to sleep on property they own or are legally entitled to occupy, ensuring protection from regulations or ordinances that would otherwise criminalize such activity.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in
bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [
in brackets and struckthrough.
]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type

26-2640
06/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

RELATING TO:
property.

PROVIDING THAT:
individuals may sleep on property they own or have a legal right to occupy.

Be it Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring, that the
Constitution of New Hampshire be amended as follows:

I. That the following new article of part I of the constitution after article 2-b:
[Art.] 2-c. [Right to Sleep on Owned or Occupied Property.] Persons who own real property or have a legal right to be present on real property shall have the right to sleep, rest, or otherwise occupy the property for temporary repose. No law or ordinance shall prohibit or unduly restrict such activity solely on the basis of being present for sleeping purposes, provided the occupation is otherwise lawful.
II. That the above amendment proposed to the constitution be submitted to the qualified voters of the state at the state general election to be held in November, 2026.
III. That the selectmen of all towns, cities, wards and places in the state are directed to insert in their warrants for the said 2026 election an article to the following effect: To decide whether the amendments of the constitution proposed by the 2026 session of the general court shall be approved.
IV. That the wording of the question put to the qualified voters shall be:
“Are you in favor of amending the first part of the constitution by inserting after article 2-b a new article to read as follows:
[Art.] 2-c. [Right to Sleep on Owned or Occupied Property.] Persons who own real property or have a legal right to be present on real property shall have the right to sleep, rest, or otherwise occupy the property for temporary repose. No law or ordinance shall prohibit or unduly restrict such activity solely on the basis of being present for sleeping purposes, provided the occupation is otherwise lawful.”
V. That the secretary of state shall print the question to be submitted on a separate ballot with other constitutional questions or on the official ballot. The ballot containing the question shall include 2 ovals next to the question allowing the voter to vote “Yes” or “No.” If no oval is marked, the ballot shall not be counted on the question. The outside of the ballot shall be the same as the regular official ballot except that the words “Questions Relating to Constitutional Amendments proposed by the 2026 General Court” shall be printed in bold type at the top of the ballot.
VI. That if the proposed amendment is approved by 2/3 of those voting on the amendment, it becomes effective when the governor proclaims its adoption.
VII. Voters' Guide.
AT THE PRESENT TIME, there is no explicit constitutional right allowing property owners or those with a legal right to be on a property to sleep on such property.
IF THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED, it will ensure that persons owning property, or legally entitled to occupy property, may not be prohibited from sleeping on such property if their presence is otherwise lawful.