2024 NH Trespassing changes

[BroadHopper]

Trespassing changes
Starting Jan. 1, property owners who are receiving a “current use” tax credit will be allowed to post specific anti-trespassing signs that some Republicans say will help curb illegal immigration at the northern border.

Currently, landowners may receive a 20 percent reduction in the assessed value of their land – and with it a 20 percent reduction in property taxes – if they decide to designate their land for current use. That means they allow anyone to engage in “skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, hunting, hiking, or nature observation” on their property, unless it would interfere with agricultural operations.

House Bill 1018 allows those property owners to continue benefiting from that tax reduction. But it also allows them to set up “no trespassing” signs that say “No trespass except for skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, hunting, hiking, or nature observation.”

Supporters of the effort such as Senate President Jeb Bradley, a Wolfeboro Republican, argued the signs would help federal and local law enforcement agencies to better intercept undocumented migrants who might be using a property under current use to travel or camp.

[8gv]

Wouldn't the intruders be "hiking"?

[TomC]

like a sign nailed to a tree is going to stop an illegal - oops - undocumented immigrant...

[Little Bear]

I've had reason to research this Current Use matter in recent weeks. The Current Use rules have always allowed landowners who put their property in Current Use to post their property with No Trespassing signs and close it to public access. The exception to this is if they applied for the 20% recreational adjustment, the landowner must allow access for the activities that Broadhopper mentioned. See attached page from the State of NH Current Use Handbook.

[John Mercier]

The signage should deter, and allow for enforcement, against dog-walkers, horseback riders, and bicyclist.

[NH.Solar]

My understanding of the former State RSA for CU was that there could be two rates; full recreational use as mentioned above and a slightly lesser rate for those lands posted specifically against hunting. Is this still in effect?

[John Mercier]

Yes.
According to the OP, they just expanded the CU2 prohibition option... but not to affect hunting.

[LoveLakeLife]

like a sign nailed to a tree is going to stop an illegal - oops - undocumented immigrant...

Aliens Tom, aliens. [emoji16]


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[FlyingScot]

News flash--the border issue is to our south. If this curbs immigrants, it will be to keep them from continuing north into Canada :rolleye2:

[Descant]

Sounds like change without a difference...

[Biggd]

Is it true that if your remove your land from "current use", you have to pay back all the tax breaks you were awarded?

[John Mercier]

No.
Removal creates a penalty based on valuation - a 10% LUCT.

[longislander]

A good deal of our 34 acres is in current use with recreation adjustment and also enjoy the MoBo snowmobile trail running through a part of it.

Notwithstanding:

"In New Hampshire, landowners can prohibit the use of mechanized and off-highway vehicles (OHVs), such as snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), on their current use property. Landowners can post their property to prohibit these activities without affecting their 20% recreation adjustment"

"Landowners can also allow public use of their property for certain activities, including hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, and nature observation, as long as it doesn't harm agricultural activities or crops. If landowners open their land to all six of these activities, they receive a 20% reduction in their Current Use assessment. "

"New Hampshire's Current Use Program has a one-time 10% land use change tax (LUCT) that applies when land is taken out of the program and used in a way that doesn't qualify. The tax is based on the land's market value at the time of the change, which may or may not be the selling price. The LUCT is usually assessed when the physical change occurs, and is in addition to the annual real estate tax. The owner of the land at the time of the change is responsible for paying the lien release. "

Also:
https://www.revenue.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt736/files/documents/current-use-criteria-booklet.pdf