HB1717 (2018) Compare Changes


The Bill Text indicates a new section is being inserted. This situation is not handled right now, and the new text is displayed in both the changed and unchanged versions.

Unchanged Version

Text to be removed highlighted in red.

1 Statement of Purpose. The general court finds that municipalities are ignoring and omitting the due process mandated by article 20 of the first part of the New Hampshire constitution which requires a jury trial for all matters concerning property valued in excess of $1,500.

2 New Section; Powers and Duties of Towns; Right to Trial by Jury. Amend RSA 31 by inserting after section 1 the following new section:

31:1-a Private Property; Right to Trial by Jury.

I. No municipality may exercise any document purporting to transfer private property valued in excess of $1,500 to the benefit of the municipality without first receiving an order from a qualified jury.

II. Abandoned property valued in excess of $1,500 shall be listed on the state treasurer's abandoned property list and published as such for a period of 5 years, at which time, if no claim is made, the municipality may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction to quiet title and convey the property by a quitclaim deed to the municipality.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2019.

Changed Version

Text to be added highlighted in green.

1 Statement of Purpose. The general court finds that municipalities are ignoring and omitting the due process mandated by article 20 of the first part of the New Hampshire constitution which requires a jury trial for all matters concerning property valued in excess of $1,500.

2 New Section; Powers and Duties of Towns; Right to Trial by Jury. Amend RSA 31 by inserting after section 1 the following new section:

31:1-a Private Property; Right to Trial by Jury.

I. No municipality may exercise any document purporting to transfer private property valued in excess of $1,500 to the benefit of the municipality without first receiving an order from a qualified jury.

II. Abandoned property valued in excess of $1,500 shall be listed on the state treasurer's abandoned property list and published as such for a period of 5 years, at which time, if no claim is made, the municipality may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction to quiet title and convey the property by a quitclaim deed to the municipality.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2019.