Revision: April 15, 2026, 4:12 p.m.
Senate Commerce
April 14, 2026
2026-1504s
08/07
Amendment to HB 1726-FN
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT relative to the sale of surplus state-owned land and establishing a commission to study the sale of state-owned property.
Amend the bill by replacing all after section 1 with the following:
2 Purpose Statement. The purpose of section 3 of this act is to strengthen fiscal responsibility and improve the efficient management of state‑owned assets. Outdated systems and untapped property reduce the effectiveness of state operations and limit public benefit. By applying fiscal prudence and common‑sense stewardship to the disposition of surplus state land, the state can modernize its processes and realize long‑term gains. Modest, well‑targeted reforms to the way surplus land is identified and sold have the potential to stimulate economic activity, generate revenue for the state, and return valuable property to local tax rolls. The commission established in this act seeks to study how state‑owned property may be best utilized, including examining opportunities to prioritize housing and the development of related infrastructure such as water and wastewater systems.
3 New Section; Commission to Study the Sale of State-Owned Property. Amend RSA 4 by inserting after section 39-g the following new section:
4:39-h Commission to Study the Sale of State-Owned Property.
I. There is established a commission to study the sale of state-owned property for the purpose of building housing and infrastructure which supports such housing.
II. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, the members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(b) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(c) The commissioner of the department of environmental services, or designee.
(d) The commissioner of the department of transportation, or designee.
(e) The commissioner of the department of administrative services, or designee.
(f) One member of the public, appointed by the president of the senate.
III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
IV. The commission shall:
(a) Investigate the sale of state‑owned property for the purpose of building housing and the infrastructure that supports such housing.
(b) Request the assistance of any state department, commission, board, agency, or institution if, in the course of conducting its study, the committee determines that such assistance would further the goals of the investigation.
(c) Include in the report required under paragraph VI recommendations regarding the sale of state‑owned property for the purpose of building housing and supporting infrastructure, including consideration of ways to expedite the return of such property to the tax base of the municipality in which it is located.
V. The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
VI. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2026.
4 Repeal. RSA 4:39-h, relative to commission to study the sale of state owned property, is repealed.
I. Section 1 of this act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
II. Section 4 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2026.
III. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
2026-1504s
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill requires that proceeds from the sale or lease of surplus state-owned land be credited to the originating department's fund.
This bill also establishes a commission to study the sale of state-owned property.