Committee Summary for House Judiciary (11/12/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB313 00:17:48.400 - 9:06:29 AM	Executive Session	relative to non-public sessions at public meetings where discussion in public would likely affect a person's reputation.	Alexander, Joe(R)[A]2024
CACR6 00:19:53.039 - 9:08:34 AM	Executive Session	relating to the right to compute. Providing that the right of individuals to use computation resources shall not be infringed.	Ammon, Keith(R)[A+]2024
HB232 2025-2932h 00:26:54.400 - 9:15:35 AM	Executive Session	relative to the rights of conscience for medical professionals.	Pearson, Mark(R)[B-]2024
HB293 01:03:03.040 - 9:51:44 AM	Executive Session	preventing minors from accessing obscenity on certain electronic devices with internet access.	Drye, Margaret(R)[A-]2024
HB313 01:10:11.360 - 9:58:52 AM	Executive Session	relative to non-public sessions at public meetings where discussion in public would likely affect a person's reputation.	Alexander, Joe(R)[A]2024
SB268 02:08:19.040 - 10:57:00 AM	Executive Session	permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances.	Avard, Kevin(R)[C+]2024

HB313: Representative Burch Oppose00:17:48.400 - 9:06:29 AM; Representative Burch moves to find the bill inexpedient to legislate (ITL), noting that current law already allows individuals to request open meetings preemptively if they believe their reputation might be adversely affected, providing a workaround without needing new legislation. She suggests this could burden towns with tracking requests, especially annually after elections, but concludes the existing mechanism suffices.
CACR6: Representative Burch Oppose00:19:53.039 - 9:08:34 AM; Representative Burch moves to ITL the bill, arguing it is open-ended, potentially leading to unintended consequences like unlimited computer use, and contains language inconsistencies.
CACR6: Unnamed Representative (supporter of sponsor) Information Only00:21:18.000 - 9:09:59 AM; Appreciates the sponsor's forward-thinking but notes the issue is too complex for voters or current House colleagues; mentions a similar law in Montana and anticipates a future bill with safeguards next session.
CACR6: Representative McFarland Oppose00:22:18.720 - 9:10:59 AM; Agrees the language has difficulties but emphasizes the importance of recognizing the natural right to use advanced technologies, computation resources, and strong encryption without back doors; notes existing constitutional protections in Part 1, Articles 2a and 2b for privacy and arms that apply here.
CACR6: Unnamed Representative Oppose00:23:26.400 - 9:12:07 AM; Echoes others' sentiments, respects Representative Ammon's concerns about federal actions but argues state measures wouldn't help if federal authority exists, as challenges would depend on federal limits regardless of state law.
HB232 2025-2932h: Representative Fedel Support00:26:54.400 - 9:15:35 AM; Moves to adopt amendment 2025-2932h, a replace-all amendment removing sterilization and artificial contraception, aligning abortion definition with the Fetal Life Protection Act, and limiting damages to actual without threefold multiplier. Notes federal conscience rights exist but enforcement varies by administration; cites a Vermont case where action was dropped. Emphasizes the bill upholds choice for providers to object conscientiously, attracts more physicians to NH, and gives women options by avoiding providers who perform abortions.
HB232 2025-2932h: Representative Rambo Oppose00:31:31.360 - 9:20:12 AM; Disagrees it's about choice, arguing it tramples employer rights to set schedules, shifts, and assignments, even for front desk refusals, creating substantial hardships especially in rural areas. Questions undefined 'major part of services' for exceptions and who decides emergency situations. Notes statement of intent conflicts between focusing on abortion and broader objections.
HB232 2025-2932h: Representative Alexander Support00:33:41.840 - 9:22:22 AM; As initial holdout, worked with sponsor to refine; praises limiting to abortions and condensing damages to actual, calling it a reasonable compromise for the committee to support.
HB232 2025-2932h: Representative Tur Oppose00:34:48.639 - 9:23:29 AM; Original issues persist: no definition of conscientious objection, allowing mental objections without employer awareness, potentially forcing retention of non-compliant staff including non-physicians like front desk or clinic employees. Broadly covers refusal to refer, counsel, or advise on abortions. One-sided, as it allows objection to participation but not to standard care like referrals; notes abortion is safe and legal, and many NH organizations already refer without performing.
HB232 2025-2932h: Representative Manos Oppose00:38:27.119 - 9:27:08 AM; Concerns inclusion of nursing homes, potentially precluding terminations for pregnant women in comas or vegetative states. Contradicts purpose of ensuring quality healthcare access, especially rural non-emergencies with single providers, limiting women's options.
HB232 2025-2932h: Unnamed Representative (response to Tur) Support00:39:13.760 - 9:27:54 AM; Addresses Representative Tur: abortion not always safe, like childbirth; dismisses nursing home concern as red herring; in rural non-emergencies, patients travel for care, similar to optometry access issues.
HB232 2025-2932h: Representative Tur (reply) Information Only00:40:28.320 - 9:29:09 AM; Acknowledges no procedure is 100% safe; 'safe and legal' refers to standards of care after extensive review; abortion carries risks like all medical acts.
HB232 2025-2932h: Representative Burch Oppose00:42:43.760 - 9:31:24 AM; Bill singles out abortion despite other controversial procedures like gender-affirming care, blood transfusions, or psychoactive drugs. Only three NH organizations provide abortions, and professionals can work elsewhere; shortage means options exist. Funding concerns overstated as patients pay, and ACA uncertainties reduce access overall; bill unnecessary and limited.
HB232 2025-2932h: Representative Burch (additional) Oppose00:46:02.240 - 9:34:43 AM; Agrees with prior objections; criticizes minimum $10,000 recovery regardless of minor vs. deliberate violations; 'participate' definition too broad (provide, perform, assist, facilitate, refer, counsel, advise, admit).
HB232 2025-2932h: Unidentified Representative Oppose00:46:53.280 - 9:35:34 AM; The speaker criticizes the $10,000 minimum recovery provision in the bill, arguing it could lead to excessive penalties even for minor violations with low actual damages. They suggest this creates fear among employees, similar to issues in school systems, and advocate for juries to determine actual damages and pain and suffering without mandatory minimums. They note that New Hampshire does not allow punitive damages and question the readiness of the revised section.
HB232 2025-2932h: Unidentified Representative Oppose00:47:47.599 - 9:36:28 AM; The speaker opposes substituting the jury system with a mandatory $10,000 minimum, emphasizing that it is a significant amount and undermines civil justice. They argue against treating excess over low damages as punitive, which is not permitted in the state.
HB232 2025-2932h: Representative Mano Oppose00:48:41.839 - 9:37:22 AM; Representative Mano argues that abortion care is essential reproductive health care and that difficulties in rural areas for such care, like ophthalmological care, do not justify further restrictions. They state the bill is problematic and denies people access to health care.
HB232 2025-2932h: Representative Rambo Oppose00:49:59.440 - 9:38:40 AM; Representative Rambo clarifies that the bill does not inform patients about providers' services at the outset but allows anyone from receptionists to refuse care without explanation or referral. They argue it limits access to legal health care procedures, contrary to the governor's stance on not limiting access in New Hampshire.
HB232 2025-2932h: Unidentified Representative Support00:51:04.640 - 9:39:45 AM; The unidentified representative supports the bill for benefiting clients who prefer physicians not participating in certain procedures. They note limited reproductive health care in their community due to a closed maternity unit over 20 years ago and argue the bill would not hamper access to reproductive health care, disagreeing that abortion is reproductive care as it stops the process.
HB232 2025-2932h: Representative Coup Support00:52:12.160 - 9:40:53 AM; Representative Coup agrees with prior points and suggests a floor amendment to define the process for conscious objection, preventing receptionists from turning away patients without employer knowledge or policy adherence, such as having another staff cover. They emphasize that objections should not be silent and must inform the employer.
HB293: Representative Coutab Information Only01:03:03.040 - 9:51:44 AM; Representative Coutab moves for interim study, noting Apple already complies by asking age during setup and enabling filters with parental passcodes. They agree on protecting minors but suggest monitoring the new rollout for issues before further action.
HB293: Representative Peter Information Only01:04:18.480 - 9:52:59 AM; Representative Peter, subcommittee chair, supports interim study after research and discussions. They acknowledge complexity for parents in setting safety features and their initial support as co-sponsor for better tools. However, with Apple's implementation and a Utah lawsuit, waiting is wise. They discuss outdated 1998 privacy laws, the need to protect against 24/7 porn access, parental responsibilities, and share resources like online safety tools. They note positive results from cell phone bans in other states.
HB313: Representative Burch Information Only01:10:11.360 - 9:58:52 AM; Representative Burch moves for inexpedient to legislate (ITL), stating the bill was extensively discussed in committee and subcommittee. While the concept has merit, implementation issues like handling multiple parties' reputations, one wanting public discussion, and confidential materials make it too complicated. Existing statutes may provide workarounds for relief.
SB268: Representative Perez Support02:08:19.040 - 10:57:00 AM; Representative Perez moves ought to pass on SB268, seconded by Representative Alexander. Notes years of debate but recent changes emphasize safety for all. Cites NCAA ban on male athletes in women's sports and Olympic Committee's impending new policy on testosterone levels based on medical information, effective possibly January.
SB268: Unnamed Speaker Support02:10:04.239 - 10:58:45 AM; The speaker discusses recent scientific evidence presented by Dr. Jane Thornton highlighting physical advantages of biological males in sports, emphasizing safety concerns for women in competitions. They argue that allowing biological males to compete against women is unsafe and cite global realizations on this issue. Regarding bathrooms and locker rooms, they highlight risks for both biological males and females, including incidents of violence against transgenders and exposure of young girls to male genitalia in schools. They urge the committee to vote 'ought to pass' to protect children, noting that 23 other states have similar measures, and warn against waiting for tragedies like severe injuries or deaths in sports.
SB268: Representative Alexander Support02:12:47.360 - 11:01:28 AM; Representative Alexander stresses the importance of separation of powers and supports passing the legislation to reaffirm the legislature's position. They note it's acceptable to disagree with the governor, even from the same party, and invite the governor's team to provide acceptable language, but until then, the bill should pass to give another opportunity for approval of this common-sense measure.
SB268: Representative Tur Oppose02:13:49.360 - 11:02:30 AM; Representative Tur agrees that the issue has been discussed extensively but disagrees that circumstances have changed. They criticize the bill for not defining 'biological sex' in its title and core, which creates an exception to constitutional gender discrimination prohibitions without clarity. This lack of definition allows individuals or institutions to interpret and apply it variably, potentially leading to unintended discrimination or privacy invasions, as seen in other states like Texas. They highlight ambiguities in determining biological sex, what evidence can be required, and how decisions should be acted upon, calling it legislative malpractice that endangers basic human rights by leaving too many loopholes.
SB268: Representative Or Oppose02:19:30.318 - 11:08:11 AM; Representative Or argues that the International Olympic Committee's recent decision was politically motivated due to upcoming U.S. Olympics and not binding. They note 'biological sex' is undefined in the bill and oversimplifies complex biology, including chromosomal variations like XX in men or XY in women. They suggest sports organizations and facilities should decide rules themselves, as harassment or assault remains illegal regardless. Dismissing the volleyball injury example as unrelated to sex differences, they view the bill as unnecessary, counterproductive, and well-intentioned but unvoteable.
SB268: Representative Panel Support02:23:45.840 - 11:12:26 AM; Representative Panel expresses frustration with ongoing debates on gender identity changes, advocating to protect women from men in private spaces and sports. They challenge opponents to propose protective legislation for XX women and XY men in sports and bathrooms, citing a New Hampshire girl's severe head injury from a male in volleyball. They argue for safety rights over minority accommodations, comparing to age limits in hockey and weight classes in boxing to prevent injuries.
SB268: Representative Tur (response) Oppose02:25:20.960 - 11:14:01 AM; In response to Representative Panel, Representative Tur points out that interpretations of biological sex vary, such as presence or absence of certain body parts, which can change over life. They note the bill doesn't address transitions explicitly but implies it, and such physical traits don't confer sports advantages. They reiterate the need to define issues like hormonal advantages separately for bathrooms and sports, rather than papering over complexities.
SB268: Representative Manos Oppose02:27:58.640 - 11:16:39 AM; Representative Manos references public hearing testimony expressing strong concerns about physical, emotional, and mental health risks from the bill. They state it endangers lives and health, and they cannot support it.

Lynn, Bob(Chairman)(R)[A]2024	Peternel, Katy(Clerk)(R)[A]2024	Mannion, Dennis(V Chairman)(R)[A-]2024
Smith, Marjorie(D)[CT]2024	Bergeron, Dan(D)	Horrigan, Timothy(D)[CT]2024
Berch, Paul(D)[INC]2022	Turer, Eric(D)[CT]2024	Scully, Kevin(R)[A-]2018
Tripp, Richard(R)[B+]2024	Andrus, Louise(R)[B+]2024	Manos, Zoe(D)[CT]2024
Perez, Kristine(R)[A]2024	Kuttab, Katelyn(R)[A-]2024	Alexander, Joe(R)[A]2024
McFarlane, Donald(R)	Rombeau, Catherine(D)[CT]2024	Paige, Mark(D)[CT]2024