Paul Henkel

To: Members of The New Hampshire House of Representatives and especially to Members of the House Municipal and County Government Committee January 21, 2026 RE: Opposition to HB 1184 – No Trespass Orders on Public Property Act Chairman and Honorable Committee Members, I write as a New Hampshire resident to respectfully urge you to vote Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) on HB 1184, the “No Trespass Orders on Public Property Act.” This bill’s procedures, though well intended, would seriously compromise the safety of municipal and school employees while imposing unworkable requirements on local governments. First, the bill’s 24 hour limit on emergency no trespass orders creates a dangerous gap in protection for facilities that operate on weekends or extended hours, such as libraries and recreation centers. If a staff member is threatened late in the week, the order would expire before a governing body could lawfully notice and hold a meeting under RSA 91 A, leaving employees exposed to renewed contact without effective legal protection. Second, the requirement for a unanimous vote of the governing body to issue a no trespass order sets an unrealistic standard that a single absence, vacancy, or dissenting member can defeat. In small New Hampshire towns with 3 or 5 member boards, this gives one person the power to block basic safety measures and creates legal uncertainty when other sections of the bill refer to majority votes, inviting confusion and potential litigation. Finally, HB 1184 would transform part time and largely volunteer boards into emergency quasi judicial bodies with strict notice and hearing obligations that are not feasible on a 24 hour timeline, particularly over weekends and holidays. The additional requirement to seek Superior Court restraining orders for longer bans would drive up legal costs for taxpayers and burden the courts with matters that local officials are better positioned to manage. For these reasons, I respectfully urge you to vote Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) on HB 1184 and to preserve practical tools that protect public employees and the public they serve. Thank you for your consideration and for your service to the people of New Hampshire. Sincerely, Paul Henkel 81 Wyman Road Unit 202 Keene NH 03431