CACR16

I support this bill because I support my fellow human beings, because I believe that society should have empathy and compassion and exercise humanity above all else. Allowing people to rest, a basic need, should be protected particularly in a state that prides itself on freedom. To oppose this legislation is not only immoral, it's an American.

This state is supposed to be about freedom. It’s shocking to learn that people would be prohibited from camping on property they OWN. Why should the state have a right to prohibit that?

This is the first time I’ve been moved to reach out in support of a bill as it directly effects a current situation that is creating hardship for me as a resident in NH. The reason this bill is so important to me is, a non-abutting neighbor is suing me in NH Superior court for an injunction to have my camper removed from my property permanently, despite other area landowners storing and sleeping in theirs . Although they have admitted it is “nice”, they state me sleeping in it creates a potential hazard and nuisance and want my family to agree to build immediately or remove my camper until a home is built, essentially taking away the right for me to sleep on my property until I build a home. My land comes with deeded beach rights to the nearby lake so I use it mostly recreationally as building was not a possibility without a variance until recently. We have plans to put a vacation home there and an eventual residence for my son after college and have been working towards that goal with the property. I believe passing this bill would: 1. Prevent and protect landowners from unnecessary litigation for falling asleep on their own property; I’ve had to retain a lawyer unexpectedly and spent much time and energy on this, simply because I sleep on my own property, on occasion, in the summer so I can use the lake. I feel like I am being bullied into building by litigation and this bill gives me hope that I might be able to use my resources towards my goals versus the personal goals of others. I am truly doing no harm to other people or the environment when I sleep on my property. 2. Benefit residents who may not be able to build on their property without a variance but could still use it recreationally as the bill outlines, on a temporary basis. Much like I do, mostly for day use, to visit the lake/beach and have a picnic with my family. I treat my property as if it is a State Park. 3. Allow residents that want to “camp” in their own yards to do so since current zoning in my town prevents that. For example, if my son wanted to have his friends sleep in tents in the front yard for his birthday celebration (boy scout themed) they would not be allowed to do so by current zoning standards in the town of Middleton, NH – this is new to the 2025 Zoning Ordinance which rescinded the attached zoning article (Article 14 Private Campsites) meant to be parameters for those who used their land in this exact manner, previously, and ones I strictly followed. I am fighting this personal issue in court as it is a complicated case, but everyone I have talked to about this situation are in favor of allowing people to sleep on their own property as a constitutional right. It simply feels awful on a human level to know that I’m working hard towards my dreams of building a vacation home on my own timeline and one person can legally try and take that all away by virtue of having me spend my money on litigation in retaliation. I feel I owe it to myself to fight for this as hard as I can and I’m hoping this helps shed a different perspective on why this bill is important.

This amendment protects personal autonomy and prevents unnecessary criminalization of people for basic survival on property they lawfully occupy.

People should be allowed to sleep wherever they want on their property

This is an opportunity to help unhoused people and those down on their luck. People should have the right to occupy land they own or have a legal right to occupy. I have personally witnessed a family forced off of their property and become unhoused because of a condition of part of the property when they should absolutely be able to remain there. This goes to the heart of live free or die. I wholeheartedly support this bill. We need more harm reduction for the unhoused.

Allowing people to sleep on property they own or are otherwise legally allowed to occupy is the core of our state's live free or die ethos