Committee Summary for House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/15/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1444 00:01:32.159 - 9:00:49 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the purchase or acquisition of certain unmanned aircraft systems.	Moffett, Michael(R)[B+]2025
HB589 00:45:44.480 - 9:45:01 AM	Public Hearing	defining and prohibiting wanton animal waste and prohibiting certain wildlife hunting contests.	Schultz, Kris(D)[F]2025
HB1725 01:06:54.640 - 10:06:11 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the regulation of artificial intelligence technologies.	Long, Patrick(D)[D]2025
Unclear -	General Working Session	Unclear
HB1198 03:16:58.000 - 12:16:15 PM	Public Hearing	establishing the paint product stewardship program.	Ebel, Karen(D)[F]2025
HB1080 03:29:45.760 - 12:29:02 PM	Public Hearing	prohibiting the sale of condoms and personal lubricant that contain intentionally added per and polyfluoroalkyl substances.	Thomas, Wendy(D)[CT]2025
HB1154 04:01:20.800 - 1:00:37 PM	Public Hearing	restricting the texting of unsolicited advertisements, including political campaigns.	Thomas, Wendy(D)[CT]2025
HB6006 04:30:32.880 - 1:29:49 PM	Public Hearing	restricting PRC nationals from owning real property	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #

HB1444: Representative Mike Moffett, Merrimack District 4 (Canterbury and Loudon) Support00:01:32.159 - 9:00:49 AM; Representative Moffett introduced HB 1444, explaining the growing ubiquity of drones inspired by their use in the Russia-Ukraine war. He shared a personal anecdote about discovering a drone in a tree behind his house in Loudon, which was recording video of his property, leading to concerns about security threats from foreign-made drones, particularly those from China subsidized by the government. He highlighted federal warnings from the US Senate Intelligence Committee and FCC about Chinese drones enabling surveillance and data exfiltration. Moffett noted state-level actions in Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee, and Nebraska, and federal restrictions via NDAA and FCC. The bill defines UAS, requires the Department of Safety to create an approved list of safe drones in consultation with experts, prohibits state funds for unapproved drones after January 1, 2028, and allows time for current fleets. He addressed fiscal note concerns, predicting drone costs will decrease with domestic production, and answered questions on enforcement, components, FAA regulations, and collaboration with other states.
HB1444: Tom Rawlings, State Shield (Atlanta) Support00:22:33.200 - 9:21:50 AM; Tom Rawlings from State Shield testified in support, emphasizing the threat from Chinese Communist Party subsidies driving out Western drone manufacturers since 2015. He advocated using federal guidelines like the Blue UAS program and collaborating with other states to create an approved list without excessive burden. Rawlings stressed that the focus is on preventing drones from spying on infrastructure or being turned against users, regardless of origin, and supported methods to modify software for security. He addressed cost concerns, predicting prices will drop with executive orders encouraging US manufacturing, and explained the exemption from public scrutiny for security reasons. Rawlings suggested balancing practicality by allowing drones from friendly nations like the UK, and noted federal delays necessitate state action.
HB1444: Lieutenant Chris Storm, New Hampshire State Police Information Only00:35:09.920 - 9:34:26 AM; Lieutenant Storm provided information on the state police's use of 45 UAS for crash scene mapping, crime scenes, and daily operations, noting a 300-500% increase in drone calls. He explained current foreign-made drones are cost-prohibitive to replace (500k-1M dollars), and the department lacks staff to maintain a state list, preferring to follow the federal Blue list despite higher costs. Storm highlighted UAS for trooper and K9 safety, counter-drone enforcement per recent legislation, and evolving technology needs.
HB1444: Trisha Lambert, NH Department of Transportation Bureau of Aeronautics Information Only00:39:44.240 - 9:39:01 AM; Trisha Lambert described DOT's use of nine UAS platforms for infrastructure surveying, half Chinese-made but shifting to Blue list for federal projects since December 2022. She explained drones carry large cameras or LiDAR for highway design, emphasizing safety, cost-effectiveness, and compliance with FAA regulations including line-of-sight. Lambert noted the coordinating council shares information across agencies and that municipalities would follow approved lists for purchases.
HB589: Representative Mike Moffett, Merrimack District 4 (standing in for prime sponsor Representative Litchfield) Support00:45:44.480 - 9:45:01 AM; Standing in for the absent prime sponsor due to a family death, Representative Moffett introduced HB 589, focusing on data rights allowing users to delete personal data held by social media companies upon withdrawal. He explained the bill enables retrieval or erasure of personal information like phone numbers or addresses provided during signup, while acknowledging users lose control over shared content like screenshots. Moffett noted the bill ties into consumer protection under RSA 358-A for financial injuries from algorithms or data misuse. He addressed enforcement challenges for global platforms, potential conflicts with terms of service, and deletion implications for accountability, deferring details to the prime sponsor and suggesting subcommittee work. Moffett mentioned other states like Utah, New York, South Carolina, and Vermont are advancing similar measures.
HB589: Patrick Hedger, Director of Policy at Net Choice Oppose00:59:20.160 - 9:58:37 AM; Patrick Hedger opposes HB 589, focusing on data portability and interoperability aspects. He argues that mandating transparent third-party accessible interfaces creates backdoors vulnerable to malicious actors, compromising safety, security, and privacy. Sharing social graphs risks exposing private data to less secure platforms, dragging everyone to the lowest security denominator. The bill could freeze innovation by forcing platforms to maintain compatibility with outdated protocols over advanced encryption. He claims it violates New Hampshire's constitutional right to privacy and the federal First Amendment by compelling speech and raising takings clause and dormant commerce clause issues. Hedger asserts the bill misunderstands user behavior, treating distinct social media platforms as interchangeable, which reduces consumer choice.
HB1725: Representative Jackie Groa, Rockingham 24 (introducing for Rep. Long) Information Only01:06:54.640 - 10:06:11 AM; Representative Jackie Groa introduces HB 1725, modeled on Texas's Responsible AI Governance Act. It provides light-touch protections against government misuse of AI and consumer safeguards from intentional abuses, while fostering innovation. It mandates disclosures for AI use with consent, focuses on intent, and includes a regulatory sandbox for testing AI products. She proposes amendments: defining 'social scoring' to prevent abuses like those in China or political discrimination, while allowing legitimate business evaluations; and warnings for AI chatbots to prevent inappropriate relationships. She declines questions.
HB1725: Melissa Bloic, Rebuild NH Support01:11:19.840 - 10:10:36 AM; Melissa Bloic supports the concept of HB 1725 but proposes an amendment to remove the advisory council, viewing it as wasteful or prone to cronyism. She endorses proactive roadblocks on government AI use to prevent abuses. Her amendment includes a footnote on equality, opposition to protected classes, a prohibition on AI for social scoring, manipulation causing self-harm or criminal acts, or infringing constitutional rights, and striking an exception for biometric data collection without consent. She is neutral on the regulatory sandbox but sees the bill as potentially crucial for AI's future impact on humanity.
HB1725: Cam Leine, American Property Casualty Insurance Association and New Hampshire Association of Domestic Insurance Companies Information Only01:16:06.560 - 10:15:23 AM; Cam Leine requests an exemption for insurance from HB 1725, noting extensive existing regulation via the NAIC model bulletin (INS24011AB) in New Hampshire. This avoids duplicative and conflicting oversight. He notes insurance companies are already exempt from certain statutes and enforcement by the Attorney General would conflict with insurance regulations.
HB1198: Representative Karen Eel, Merrimack District 7 (New London and Newbury) Information Only03:16:58.000 - 12:16:15 PM; Representative Karen Eel introduces HB 1198, identical to HB 451 passed unanimously by the House and recently by the Senate, now awaiting the governor's signature. HB 451 established a postconsumer paint stewardship program with no state budget impact. She filed HB 1198 during the filing period without knowing HB 451's fate. Recommends interim study on HB 1198 pending the governor's action on HB 451. Distributes an op-ed co-authored with Chair Hunt and Rep. Aaron urging passage, and her prior Senate testimony.
HB1198: Representative Karen Ebel, Merrimack District 7 (New London and Newbury) Support03:21:37.439 - 12:20:54 PM; The speaker defends the amendment removing tax or fee language, explaining that paint manufacturers will fund the program as a nonprofit donation of $150,000 without increasing retail prices, as it can be written off. She emphasizes that authorizing the recycling program is a cost of business absorbed by manufacturers. The program reduces household hazardous waste costs for taxpayers and towns, allowing free disposal of excess paint. It adopts a pro-business, New Hampshire approach, waiving antitrust concerns, benefiting the state without taxes or fees. She clarifies misconceptions, notes BIA endorsement, and highlights no budget impact or state costs.
HB1080: Representative Whitney Thompson Support03:29:45.760 - 12:29:02 PM; The sponsor clarifies the bill bans specific PFAS-containing condoms and lubricants, not all such products, due to health risks like prostate, testicular, uterine, ovarian, and fallopian tube cancers from exposure via thin engorged tissues during intercourse, potentially entering the bloodstream. Environmentally, flushing introduces PFAS into water systems, increasing filtration costs (e.g., in Merrimack), and landfilling adds to cleanup burdens. Specific banned items include Union Standard ultra thin (25-68 ppm), Trojan ultrathin (13 ppm), and lubricants like Lola tingling mint (39 ppm), Uber silicone (32 ppm), PS moisturizing (25 ppm), and KY Jelly (13 ppm), exceeding NH's 12 ppm water toxicity limit. Addresses clinic concerns about donations but prioritizes safety; safe alternatives exist. Responds to questions on government intrusion, labeling, and state precedents.
HB1154: Representative Wendy Thomas, Hillsborough District 12 (Merrimack) Support04:01:20.800 - 1:00:37 PM; The sponsor introduces the bill to curb unsolicited commercial and political texts without prior permission, requiring opt-out mechanisms, domestic contact numbers, and cost-free replies. Excludes established business relationships or voluntary number sharing. Penalties include class B felony for repeats, civil fines ($250-$2,000 per incident), and private lawsuits. Suggests amendments for community alerts and non-commercial outreach. Acknowledges federal overlaps but seeks state enforcement. Responds to questions on implementation, exemptions for nonprofits/politics, consent tracking, harassment risks, and free speech, arguing it balances privacy without banning speech, as alternatives like email/social media exist. Notes it's a 'heavy lift' to address growing nuisance, especially political texts from bought lists.
HB6006: Representative Beltry Support04:30:32.880 - 1:29:49 PM; The sponsor presents the bill as part of anti-threat legislation targeting China's asymmetric 'unrestricted warfare' across domains to defeat the US without kinetic conflict. Builds on last year's budget provision by broadening PRC national definition (all non-US citizens under China's 2017 security law obligating intelligence/military aid), prohibiting facilitation of controlling interests, imposing civil penalties, enabling pre-conviction civil forfeiture to prevent evasion (e.g., Maine marijuana/human trafficking networks), incentivizing locals with penalty/forfeiture revenue shares, and offering bounties for tips. Excludes US citizens; carveouts for non-controlling interests. Defends against constitutionality concerns, distinguishing nationality from race/ethnicity, citing national security precedents and Supreme Court history on wartime property seizures from hostile nations. Clarifies green card holders are included but could be amended; focuses on security, not future citizenship.
HB6006: Bob Quinn, CEO of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors Oppose04:55:26.400 - 1:54:43 PM; Bob Quinn, CEO of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, expressed objections to HB 6006, similar to concerns raised about last year's Senate Bill 162. He stated that the objections are not based on national security policy but on the practical and legal consequences for real estate licensees and sellers. He highlighted the new RSA 477:22J, which imposes civil penalties and classifies violations as a class A misdemeanor for licensed agents who knowingly facilitate prohibited transactions. This could lead to criminal prosecutions and significant civil liability, as buyers or sellers might sue agents for not informing them of the law. To protect themselves, realtors might need to require disclosures about buyers' or sellers' nationality, potentially violating state and federal fair housing laws that prohibit discrimination based on national origin. He noted collaboration with the committee chairman and sponsor of SB 162 to address similar issues, resulting in a better bill through HB2 that eliminated most liability. Additionally, the fiscal note indicates the Justice Department anticipates increased investigative and enforcement responsibilities, leading to more scrutiny of real estate transactions and heightened liability for all involved. Realtors are committed to national security but face severe liability concerns with this bill.

Hunt, John(Chairman)(R)[B+]2025	Post, Lisa(Clerk)(R)[A]2025	Potucek, John(V Chairman)(R)[A-]2025
Salvi, Santosh(D)[CT]2025	Chourasia, Manoj(D)[F]2025	Ammon, Keith(R)[A]2025
Herbert, Christopher(D)[D-]2025	Osborne, Jason(R)[A+]2025	Thackston, Dick(R)[B+]2025
Walsh, Lilli(R)[B]2025	Porcelli, Susan(R)[B]2025	Spier, Carry(D)[D-]2025
Burroughs, Anita(D)[F]2025	Gibbs, Merryl(D)[D-]2025	McAleer, Chris(D)[D-]2025
Sullivan, Jared(D)[D]2025	Miles, Julie(R)[A-]2025	Presa, Adam(R)[B]2025