HB1569 PH 3.26.2026 EDA — Senate Hearing Report

Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Ben Mickens  271-1403

HB 1569-FN, repealing the directive that the state sell the Anna Philbrook Center for Children property in Concord.

Hearing Date: March 25, 2026

Time Opened: 9:10 a.m. Time Closed: 9:23 a.m.

Members of the Committee Present:  Senators Pearl, McGough and Gannon

Members of the Committee Absent  : Senators Altschiller and Reardon

Sponsors:  

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Who supports the bill: Representative Laura Telerski, Representative Daniel Popovici-Muller Representative Mary Jane Wallner, Representative Hope Damon, Sam Hawkins (NAMI), Joline Manseau, Christine Pellerin, Shea Flanagan, Andrew Jones, Gary Devore, Jana Sellarole, JoAnn Martin, Maureen Redmond-Scura, Patricia Piscetta, Janet Robertson, Linda Benham, Sally Patton, Jonathan Crocker, Susan Moore, Patricia Martin, Karen Collman, Patricia Hunt, James Moore, Barbara Langworthy, Linda Christ, A Thomas, Elizabeth Molloy, Jane Hershey, Lynn Merlone, Deneen Dickler, Donna Tully, Michael Etzel, Kathy Spielman, Nancy Bonell, Cindy Raspiller, Howard Brown, Nancy Brennan, Cindy Rosenwald, Linda Henderson, Francis Hayes, Giana Gelsey, Lois Cote, Emily Lawrence, margaret barker, Megan Hughes, and Jill Weber.

Who opposes the bill: Cory Stone.

Who is neutral on the bill: No one.  

Summary of testimony presented in support:

Representative Laura Telerski:

• Representative Telerski introduced the behalf of Representative Wallner
• Representative Telerski explained that this bill would repeal the directive that the state sells the Anna Philbrook Center for Children property in Concord.
• Representative Telerski stated that this building was built in the 1960s and was used to provide youth mental health services for many decades. She added that in the early 2000s the building was used as office space for agencies.
• She explained that most recently the center has been used as a transitional health center for people leaving New Hampshire hospitals as well as office space for 54 employees.
• Representative Telerski explained that the original directive to sell the property came as part of the budget process and did not receive the normal scrutiny a bill like this might receive.
• She added that many people were unaware that the facility was being used as a transitional center for patients.
• Representative Telerski explained that the figure of 5 million dollars was not professional appraised and that it was likely the state would not end up receiving that number.
• Representative Telerski reasoned that specialized space for this type of work is hard to come by and renting is often less advantageous for the state than owning.
• She added that there was not any consideration given to the cost of moving the employees which would cut into any revenue generated.

Senator Pearl asked how the 5-million-dollar hole in the budget might be filled.

Representative Telerski responded that this conversation was had and it was determined that these cuts would have to be absorbed by the department. She reiterated that moving state employees would have also had a large cost.

Senator McGough asked if this is the building is where the Vital Records Bureau operates.

Representative Telerski responded that they are not in this building

Representative Daniel Popovici-Muller

• Representative Popovici-Muller stated that this bill passed unanimously from committee and from a voice vote on the House floor.
• Representative Popovici-Muller explained that the revenue from selling the Philbrook Center would never be actualized given the other costs associated with the sale.
• He stated that the complications around making this sale would be too cumbersome for the possible, but not guaranteed gains.

Representative Hope Damon

• Representative Damon endorsed previous points made by the prior speakers.

Sam Hawkins of NAMI-NH

• Mr. Hawkins voiced NAMI-NH's support of HB 1569-FN.
• Mr. Hawkins illustrated a practical concern that the sale of this property would result in a net loss of sixteen beds in the state’s system, which could quickly snowball into a larger cost/concern.
• Mr. Hawkins underlined that it was easy to dismantle transition systems but very hard to build them up.

Senator Pearl asked if the program is still currently running at the Philbrook Center.

Mr. Hawkins explained that the program is still active to the best of his knowledge but will be switching locations relatively soon.

Senator McGough asked how this bill would work alongside SB 572.

Mr. Hawkins responded that SB 572 was designed to address legal hurdles regarding the sale of the property. He added that there has since been a non-germane amendment to the bill that removes its prior purpose.

Summary of testimony presented in opposition: None.

Neutral Information Presented: None.

BM

Date Hearing Report completed:  March 26, 2026