HB1523

The sponsors would require home owners associations (HOA) governance be more transparent than the legislature itself. The state has no business tinkering in what is a voluntary compact which individuals can freely elect to abandon by selling. Stop big government intrusion.

Dear Chair and Members of the Committee, I write in strong opposition to HB 1523, which imposes sweeping new disclosure requirements that are unnecessary, overbroad, and deeply harmful to civic participation in New Hampshire. At its core, HB 1523 substitutes suspicion for trust. It presumes bad faith where none has been shown and responds not with narrowly tailored enforcement, but with blanket disclosure mandates that chill speech, deter engagement, and expose private citizens to retaliation and harassment. That is not transparency—it is intimidation by paperwork. New Hampshire has a long and proud tradition of citizen participation in public life. From local boards to grassroots advocacy, our democracy works because ordinary people feel safe speaking out—sometimes on controversial issues—without fear of being publicly targeted, professionally harmed, or personally harassed. HB 1523 undermines that tradition by forcing disclosure in circumstances where there is no demonstrated public benefit and no compelling state interest. Disclosure requirements are not neutral. They discourage participation, especially among: • Volunteers and small community organizations • First-time advocates and low-income residents • Individuals speaking on unpopular or minority viewpoints The result is predictable: fewer voices, less debate, and a public square dominated by those with wealth, legal counsel, and institutional backing. That is the opposite of a healthy democracy. HB 1523 also creates significant administrative burdens while offering little clarity about enforcement, thresholds, or safeguards against abuse. Municipal officials, volunteers, and small organizations will be left to navigate vague standards and compliance risks that serve no clear public purpose. Once again, a one-size-fits-all mandate ignores the realities of how civic engagement actually happens in this state. If there are concerns about existing law, the proper response is targeted enforcement of bad actors, not broad new disclosure rules that punish lawful participation and constitutionally protected speech. Transparency must be balanced with privacy, free association, and the fundamental right to speak without fear. New Hampshire should be encouraging participation in civic life—not erecting new barriers to it. For these reasons, I respectfully urge the committee to find HB 1523 inexpedient to legislate. Thank you for your consideration and for your service to the people of New Hampshire. Respectfully submitted, David John Preece State Representative, Hillsborough District 17 Manchester, New Hampshire