Karen Burnett-Kurie

I OPPOSE HB 1499. In 2025, the legislature already made it easier for landlords to evict renters without cause. Why are we continuing to move in this direction, during a housing crisis? We should be trying to keep people housed no homeless. Landlords can already evict for any health or safety reason and a long list of "other good cause" reasons. And nothing obligates a landlord to rent to someone with a criminal record. So this part is unnecessary. This new law just makes it easier-with little to no proof. The langugage in this bill - “unlawful presence”- has no definition or a definition which is too obtuse. There are many statuses between “undocumented” and “green card holder.” For example, many young people who have been granted Special Immigrant Juvenile Visas after proving to family courts in New Hampshire that they have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents are on a waitlist of six or more years before they can apply for lawful permanent residence. These individuals are lawfully present, have work authorization, and pay taxes. Many people must wait three to fifteen years before they are eligible for legal permanent residence. Again, these delays are not due to any issue with the individual but simply due to administrative waits and limits on visa availability. They are doing it the right way and shouldn't be punished for the time it takes. This bill is unnecessary, ill defined and overreach. Vote NO.