This bill introduces a prohibition against posting signs on land that is not owned by the individual placing the sign. It amends RSA 635:5 to include new penalties for such actions. Specifically, it establishes that any person who knowingly places a sign or poster that prohibits certain physical activities on land they do not have legal rights to will be guilty of a class B misdemeanor. For a first offense, the individual will face a fine of $200, and for any subsequent offenses, the fine increases to $500. Additionally, the bill maintains the existing penalty for those who remove, deface, or destroy signs or property belonging to another.

The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and it is expected to have indeterminable impacts on state and local expenditures due to potential changes in the judicial and correctional systems. The fiscal note indicates that while there will be no revenue generated from this bill, the costs associated with prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole may affect state and local budgets. The bill has been reviewed by various agencies, including the Judicial Branch and the Department of Justice, to assess its implications.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 635:5
As Amended by the Senate: 635:5
Version adopted by both bodies: 635:5