The bill’s prime sponsor, Representative Joe Alexander Jr., a Goffstown Republican who chairs the Housing Committee, said the bill is meant to serve as a deterrent.
“Illegal aliens are not welcome in the Granite State,” he said. “And by passing this bill, we will continue to make sure that there is nowhere they can live.”
He pointed to the state’s housing shortage and said people without legal status are taking apartments away from New Hampshire citizens.
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The bill has five other Republican co-sponsors in the House of Representatives, in addition to two Republican co-sponsors in the Senate, indicating at least some degree of support in the other chamber.
During a hearing at the State House on Tuesday, Democratic members of the House’s Housing Committee questioned Alexander on whether the bill would survive legal challenges. They raised concerns the bill could result in discriminatory housing practices, and that it could leave minors in a mixed-status family unable to access housing.
“We’re essentially saying that there is no housing that is available to that child, who is a Granite Stater, who is an American citizen,” said Representative David Paige, a North Conway Democrat. “That’s unacceptable to me personally.”
“Is that your intent in this bill, and if not, is there a way that we can ensure that those kids can have access to safe and secure housing in our state?” he asked.
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“My intent of this bill is, if you are in this country illegally, you are not welcome here, and you should not have housing,” Alexander responded.
The effort drew opposition from advocates of civil liberties and immigrant rights.
The ACLU of New Hampshire opposed the effort because of concerns around due process, the risk of discrimination, and the potential costs of expensive litigation under federal civil rights and fair housing laws.
“It will cause a litigation firestorm, and New Hampshire taxpayers will be left paying to defend a law that is hardly defendable and undermines constitutional protections, and destabilizes the housing market as well,” said Rachel Potter, a policy associate with the organization.
She warned that the bill could turn the housing market into an unconstitutional state-run immigration enforcement system.
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At least one resident spoke in support of the proposal. Patrick Binder of Manchester called the proposal a good, workable deterrent.
“I think it’s a good direction for New Hampshire and for the citizens here,” he said.
Several organizations that work with immigrants also opposed the effort.
“We are a state that depends on immigration to grow and even maintain our population and workforce,” said William Gillett, director of public policy and advocacy at the International Institute of New England, an organization that supports immigrants and refugees who came through legal pathways in New Hampshire.
While this bill is aimed at illegal immigrants, Gillett said it would have a chilling effect against all immigrants, including those with a legal status. He said it would make it harder for all immigrants to enter the rental market and suppress legal and needed immigration in the state.
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Dylan Hoey, director of the New Hampshire Alliance of Immigrants and Refugees, called the Class B felony language “extremely punitive and concerning.”
Hoey, who previously served as a US Foreign Service officer at the Department of State, said calculating unlawful presence is an extremely difficult task.
“In my view, HB 1709 effectively delegates federal immigration law enforcement to New Hampshire landlords,” he said, adding this would place landlords in a legally precarious position of screening people based on national origin and immigration status.
New Hampshire law authorizes imprisonment of more than a year for a Class B felony and no more than a 7-year prison term.
The bill has a long road before it has a chance at becoming law. It would need to gain approval from both the House and the Senate before landing on the governor’s desk.
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Amanda Gokee can be reached at amanda.gokee@globe.com. Follow her @amanda_gokee.
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
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An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment. He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
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McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
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New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads. The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.
A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.
Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.
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At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.
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