Committee Summary for Senate Commerce (01/13/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB417 003 00:01:33.200 - 8:30:25 AM	Public Hearing	requiring state liquor outlets to post warnings relative to the increased risk of cancer and birth defects from drinking alcoholic beverages.	Watters, David(D)[D-]2025
SB524 00:18:02.720 - 8:46:54 AM	Public Hearing	enabling on-premises licensees to deliver liquor to customers who order a meal for home delivery.	McGough, Tim(R)[B+]2025
SB563 01:12:02.800 - 9:40:54 AM	Public Hearing	relative to direct shippers of wine.	Reardon, Tara(D)[F]2025
SB418 01:23:18.159 - 9:52:10 AM	Public Hearing	prohibiting municipalities from requiring licenses for the production and sale of homestead food products.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)[A-]2025
SB639 01:38:01.760 - 10:06:53 AM	Public Hearing	establishing a committee to study the health and safety impacts of Red Dye 40 and other food additives in food and beverages sold in New Hampshire.	Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2025

SB417 003: Senator David Waters, District 4 Support00:01:33.200 - 8:30:25 AM; Senator Waters introduces SB 417, which adds a warning about increased cancer risk from drinking alcoholic beverages to existing signage at licensed premises. He explains the bill is based on the Surgeon General's report and scientific studies linking alcohol to various cancers, particularly over lifetime consumption. He notes collaboration with the Liquor Commission for simple implementation, including no-cost provision of updated signs and options for digital displays, to be distributed within one year.
SB417 003: Eleanor Gorman, Megan Marrian, and Brandon Gilbert, Dover Youth to Youth Support00:07:21.840 - 8:36:13 AM; The students from Dover Youth to Youth urge passage of SB 417 to raise awareness of alcohol's link to cancer. They cite the 2025 Surgeon General's report stating alcohol increases risk for at least seven cancers, including breast cancer in women, and connects to 741,300 cases in 2020. They reference CDC data on how alcohol damages DNA and causes inflammation. They highlight low awareness (only 45% know the link vs. 89% for tobacco) and criticize outdated federal labels from 1988 that ignore cancer risks, emphasizing the need for prominent warnings to protect public health.
SB417 003: Mike Summers, New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association Oppose00:11:42.640 - 8:40:34 AM; Mike Summers opposes SB 417, arguing businesses already post 16 required signs, making additional ones burdensome like 'wallpapering.' He claims public awareness of risks is high via social media, and vague 'prominent place' requirements create ambiguity. He notes economic struggles for businesses and worries the warning could discourage patrons from consuming alcohol, hoping the committee finds it inexpedient to legislate.
SB417 003: Kate Fay, New Futures Support00:13:55.040 - 8:42:47 AM; Kate Fay supports SB 417, reinforcing the strong scientific evidence linking even light alcohol consumption to cancer, as per the Surgeon General's report. She counters claims of universal awareness by noting surprise among many, especially youth, upon the report's release. She praises the cooperative Liquor Commission for prevention efforts and offers New Futures' support to advance the bill, similar to existing pregnancy warnings.
SB524: Senator Tim McHugh, District 11 Support00:18:02.720 - 8:46:54 AM; Senator McHugh introduces SB 524 to permit takeout and delivery of individual alcoholic drinks like margaritas or mai tais with restaurant orders, enhancing convenience and safety by reducing impaired driving from bar waits. He references House improvements in HB 529, including a new 'restaurant delivery license' at $100 fee, transport limits, and age verification. He suggests making it a privilege rather than separate license and allowing wine in original containers or sealed glasses for variety, thanking stakeholders like the Lodging Association and enforcement.
SB524: Mike Summers, New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association Support00:24:00.400 - 8:52:52 AM; Mike Summers supports SB 524, noting 37 states already allow this and thanking Senator McHugh. He confirms age verification via signed receipt for deliveries by W2 employees, ensuring chain of custody. He endorses HB 529's structure: a separate license for tracking, reverting beer/wine transport rules, and adding corrections like permitting private parties at closed restaurants. He views it as cleaner and beneficial for industry.
SB524: Kate Fry, Vice President of Advocacy at New Futures Oppose00:27:54.240 - 8:56:46 AM; Kate Fry provided historical context on SB 524, noting initial pre-pandemic discussions and rapid changes during COVID. She highlighted concerns from the New Hampshire Liquor Commission about departing from the three-tier system and allowing alcohol delivery, initially limited to beer and wine by employees only. New Futures collaborated on a 2022 grant-funded study interviewing 2100 eligible licensees, finding only 37 applied, with a 22% initial failure rate in enforcement checks for delivery to minors, improved through training. She expressed concerns about adding cocktails, questioning additional enforcement measures, sealed container integrity, and risks of delivery to minors, citing challenges in other states with cocktails-to-go.
SB524: Mark Armagan, Chief of Liquor Enforcement and Licensing, NH Liquor Commission; Matthew Culver, Administrative Lieutenant, NH Liquor Commission Information Only00:31:17.840 - 9:00:09 AM; Mark Armagan opposed initial delivery provisions due to safety concerns like open container laws but noted low adoption (now 30 licensees). He supported integrity seals for cocktails, emphasizing documentation of contents for enforcement to reduce motor vehicle incidents. They require W2 employees for delivery to ensure accountability, avoiding third-party services like Uber Eats due to age verification issues. Matthew Culver explained statutory changes separating liquor delivery into RSA 178:21, requiring sealed containers with labeling (brand, ABV, amount) and warning labels. They discussed a successful compliance program reducing failures from 22% to 0% via training. Q&A addressed nationwide issues with third-party deliveries and legal barriers under RSA 179:5 for accountability.
SB524: Drew Klein, President of Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy Support00:45:22.240 - 9:14:14 AM; Drew Klein supported SB 524, noting 37 states allow to-go cocktails with no evidence of increased drunk driving; states prohibiting delivery saw higher fatality rises (178.8% vs. 14.14% for alcohol delivery). He addressed sealing concerns, citing effective methods like cup sealers or canning in Maine. Highlighting NH's high bar/restaurant closures, he argued to-go cocktails boost revenue (1-30% of bottom line), mostly via takeout. As the only New England state without this, NH loses on tourism and workforce retention; neighboring states' allowances pressure local businesses.
SB524: Sarah Scott, Deputy State Director for Americans for Prosperity, New Hampshire Support00:50:16.319 - 9:19:08 AM; Sarah Scott supported SB 524 for removing barriers, fostering innovation, and aiding small businesses amid economic pressures like rising costs and closures in Seacoast areas (Dover, Portsmouth). Building on successful beer/wine takeout post-2020, the bill adds cocktails under enforceable rules without dismantling safeguards. It's voluntary, market-driven, modernizes policy based on real experiences, and aligns NH with neighbors like Maine, where cross-border options exist but not in NH.
SB524: Senator Rearen Information Only00:53:04.880 - 9:21:56 AM; Senator Rearen introduced SB 563 on direct shipping of wine, emphasizing NH's reliance on tourism, hospitality, and liquor revenue. He noted barriers to business success, particularly in enhancing unique experiences like wine choices in restaurants to drive repeat business and state revenue.
SB524: Steve Dupri Support00:54:15.760 - 9:23:07 AM; Steve Dupri advocated for direct wine shipping to boost state sales, diversity, and restaurant support with minimal cost. He critiqued the bill draft but proposed amendments to RSA 178:27, exempting small California wineries (3,500+ making <3,000 cases) from wholesale requirements, limiting to restaurants/hotels. Suggest lowering registration fees and assessing 25% remitted to the state, enabling small producers to ship directly (e.g., 50 cases/year), enhancing restaurant distinction without added state overhead. Examples included high-scoring wines unavailable due to distribution issues, benefiting NH's culinary scene like in Maine/Vermont.
SB524: Mike Summers, President/CEO, New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association Support01:03:37.119 - 9:32:29 AM; Mike Summers supported SB 563 in concept, suggesting amendments to existing statutes for a cleaner approach, deferring to liquor enforcement on implementation.
SB524: Sean Thomas, Mur Presol and Thomas; Mark Valley, Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits, representing New Hampshire Wine and Spirits Brokers Association Oppose01:04:33.520 - 9:33:25 AM; Sean Thomas and Mark Valley opposed SB 563 as unnecessary, stating current direct shipping laws (RSA 178:27) are robust, with caps ensuring representative system integrity for compliance, safety, and counterfeit prevention. They viewed the bill as creating redundant licensing/fees (25% vs. 8%), adding administrative burden via winery-by-winery regulation. Noted major direct shippers praise NH's system; suggested solutions under current law without carveouts chipping at the framework.
SB524: Mark Armagan, Chief of Enforcement and Licensing, NH Liquor Commission; Matthew Culver, Administrative Lieutenant Information Only01:07:29.920 - 9:36:21 AM; Mark Armagan viewed SB 563 as legislative redundancy, praising the robust direct shippers statute with caps protecting the representative system for enforcement, education, and counterfeit detection (e.g., Louis XIII investigation). Emphasized reliance on representatives for safe product flow from manufacturing to service, maintaining national compliance standards without added burdens.
SB563: Mark Armagan, Chief of Enforcement and Licensing, NH Liquor Commission Information Only01:12:02.800 - 9:40:54 AM; Armagan discusses the challenges in raising caps on direct shipping, emphasizing consumer safety and the need for vetting products. He notes the working group's efforts to reach a resolution but expresses concerns about safety breaches. He explains that the current $100 fee covers processing costs and that there is a process via white paper for exceptions to caps, providing a safety valve. He apologizes for the unvetted presentation and stresses reliance on product familiarity.
SB563: Matthew Culver, Administrative Lieutenant, NH Liquor Commission Information Only01:14:27.760 - 9:43:19 AM; Culver explains the direct shipping program, including tiered permits for different businesses allowing shipment of wine, beverage wine, or liquor to consumers or on-premise licensees. He details current limits: 12 nine-liter cases (144 bottles) per consumer without permission, and permission is granted if the product isn't sold in NH. Exceeding 600 liters of a product triggers an offer to the commission for state sale. He notes the requirement for licensed carriers to track shipments and ensure fees and taxes are paid, mentioning a possible oversight in the bill.
SB563: Steve DuPri, North Conway Support01:20:24.640 - 9:49:16 AM; DuPri expresses concerns about preventing fraud in direct shipping, suggesting routing through the liquor commission for tracking and severe penalties for violations. He highlights issues with licensed carriers not maintaining proper temperatures for wine transport, which can ruin products. He notes less fraud in wine compared to spirits due to California registration and mentions upcoming deflation in wine prices due to lower grape costs.
SB418: Senator Victoria Sullivan, District 18 (Manchester and Litchfield) Support01:23:18.159 - 9:52:10 AM; Sullivan introduces SB 418, referencing 'Picklegate' where a constituent received a cease and desist for sharing homemade pickles despite no sales. She criticizes Manchester's overreach banning pickles, lemonade stands, baked goods, and more, while ignoring some items inconsistently. She argues for aligning local rules with state homesteading laws, noting national food safety issues occur in regulated environments, not homesteads. She urges an ought to pass and to 'free the pickle'.
SB418: Sarah Scott, Deputy State Director, Americans for Prosperity, NH Support01:26:51.679 - 9:55:43 AM; Scott supports SB 418, sharing her hobby of gardening and preserving food. She explains it protects opportunities for sharing, selling at markets, and side income. She highlights Manchester's case as an example of local rules overriding state cottage food laws, causing confusion. She notes inconsistencies in cities like Dover, Rochester, and Portsmouth, affecting retirees and families. The bill aligns local rules with state exemptions, balancing health and empowerment, and she requests ought to pass.
SB418: Daniel Mari, Manchester (The Pickle Guy) Support01:30:13.280 - 9:59:05 AM; Mari, the 'pickle guy', supports SB 418, having canned pickles for over 45 years for family and friends. He checks pH levels (3-4, under safe 4.6) and has a medical background in health and safety. He calls Manchester's cease and desist without investigation overreach, noting many locals make similar goods. He promotes healthy eating and canning, stating demand for his pickles is high.
SB418: Chrissy Cantor, Ward 6 Alderman, Manchester Support01:31:56.000 - 10:00:48 AM; Cantor supports SB 418 for fairness, aligning Manchester with state Homestead Food Act. She clarifies it's not against local control but emphasizes listening to residents. Manchester adjusted rules for baking but not fully for pickles, questioning distrust of state guidelines. The bill supports small businesses, boosts economy, promotes food freedom, and removes restrictions on low-risk goods. She shares her mother's shock at unknowingly illegal pickling and urges support to 'live free or pickle on'.
SB418: Paul Leurer, Retired Chef, Manchester Support01:35:03.920 - 10:03:55 AM; Leurer, a retired chef and Ward 4 candidate, supports SB 418, outraged by lack of investigation in Picklegate. He notes the Homestead Act helps small producers supplement income, especially retirees facing rising costs. Making pickles won't make one rich but aids financially, and he wants Manchester residents to have same rights as surrounding towns.
SB639: Senator Donovan Fenton, District 10 Support01:38:01.760 - 10:06:53 AM; Fenton introduces SB 639, creating a committee to study red dye 40 and additives' health impacts on families, schools, and businesses. It reviews science, policies, and federal interests in bans, serving as a placeholder for implementation. The committee will examine evidence, school impacts, and stakeholder input. He notes EU warning labels and bans in other countries, advocating a responsible evaluation to avoid harming small businesses.
SB639: Representative Yuri Pazov, Representing Mary Men, Hooksett and Danville Support01:41:40.320 - 10:10:32 AM; Pazov, with a biology master's and on the health committee, supports SB 639 amid chronic disease epidemics straining Medicare. Diet, including oils and additives, contributes significantly. The bill forms a committee to review science since incentives don't always yield best outcomes. He advocates banning harmful chemicals but notes carcinogenicity depends on exposure, like radon, requiring study for responsible action.
SB639: Representative Yuri Pazov, Representing Mary Men, Hooksett and Danville Information Only01:41:40.320 - 10:10:32 AM; The speaker continued their testimony, discussing the implications of banning people living on granite and emphasizing the need for good sound science to be discovered and followed.

Innis, Daniel(Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Ricciardi, Denise(V Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Murphy, Keith(R)[A]2025
Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2025	McGough, Tim(R)[B+]2025	Reardon, Tara(D)[F]2025