Mark and Jenna Rowe

Dear Members of the Committee, We are writing to respectfully oppose the proposed legislation in HB 1580 that would increase property taxes on homeowners who do not use their New Hampshire property as a primary residence. We own a home in Conway while maintaining our primary residence in Massachusetts. Like many seasonal homeowners, our family has deep, multigenerational ties to Conway and to New Hampshire. We contribute meaningfully to the local economy—supporting local businesses, restaurants, ski areas, and service providers—while placing comparatively limited demand on municipal services such as schools, public safety, and year-round infrastructure. Seasonal and non-primary residents already contribute substantially to local tax bases (which have jumped substantially in the last few years) while using fewer services than full-time residents. For this reason, policies that single out these homeowners for higher taxation feel punitive rather than equitable. This proposal would effectively penalize individuals and families who are engaged, responsible members of their communities simply because their employment and professional obligations require them to live elsewhere full time. Many of us would gladly make New Hampshire our primary residence if circumstances allowed. Employment realities, not a lack of commitment to our communities, determine our residency status. Doubling property taxes based solely on that distinction is, in our view, an unfair and counterproductive approach that risks discouraging long-term investment and goodwill in New Hampshire, a place that we love. We respectfully urge you to consider the broader economic and community impacts of this legislation and to seek alternatives that preserve fairness while continuing to support the vitality of New Hampshire’s towns. Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration. Respectfully submitted, Mark and Jenna Rowe