Committee Summary for Senate Judiciary (01/08/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB519 00:10:41.440 - 12:09:28 PM	Public Hearing	relative to the use of unmanned aerial systems.	Reardon, Tara(D)[F]2025
SB521 00:48:51.599 - 12:47:38 PM	Public Hearing	relative to unauthorized camping on private property.	Reardon, Tara(D)[F]2025
SB648 507J3 00:58:46.079 - 12:57:33 PM	Public Hearing	requiring age verification to allow access to certain material harmful to minors.	Reardon, Tara(D)[F]2025
SB521 01:26:04.400 - 1:24:51 PM	Executive Session	relative to unauthorized camping on private property.	Reardon, Tara(D)[F]2025

SB519: Steve Dupri, Concord NH Support00:10:41.440 - 12:09:28 PM; Steve Dupri, a resident of Concord, NH, sponsored SB519 to address privacy threats from drones. He explained that existing laws like RSA 644:9 and 644:23 do not adequately cover drone surveillance, as the FAA regulates airspace safety but not privacy. Courts expect states to fill this gap. He modeled the bill after Florida's strong law, prohibiting surveillance without consent where there's a reasonable expectation of privacy (not observable from ground level). The bill protects residents from intrusive drone watching while exempting legitimate uses like business, law enforcement, and hobbies. He cited a Dunbarton case of a neighbor spying on a teenage daughter, highlighting the need for clear statutory limits. Dupri is open to amendments for business, police, and property assessments.
SB519: Representative Neil Kirk, Warner NH Support00:21:31.280 - 12:20:18 PM; Representative Neil Kirk from Warner, NH, supports SB519 due to the rapid increase in drone use and its privacy implications. He noted federal regulation above 400 feet but emphasized state needs for privacy protection. He suggested clarifications: expand surveillance definition to include property, broaden law enforcement exceptions (e.g., missing persons searches) with limits on image storage to avoid unconstitutional databases, and narrow 'licensed business operations' to prevent abuse, including restrictions on selling images. Exceptions for utilities, appraisals, and assessments should limit time, duration, and blur non-essential images. He believes the sponsor will work on amendments with stakeholders.
SB519: Lieutenant Chris Storm, NH State Police and Trisha Lambert, NH DOT Oppose00:28:08.640 - 12:26:55 PM; Lieutenant Chris Storm of NH State Police and Trisha Lambert of NH DOT oppose SB519 as currently written due to vague definitions of surveillance and potential conflicts with existing laws like RSA 644:9 and 644:23, which already prohibit certain privacy invasions. It could hinder law enforcement uses like crime scene mapping, accident reconstruction, and search-and-rescue without warrants, delaying operations. FAA preempts airspace regulation, limiting state restrictions on flight paths or hovering. They support privacy protections but need amendments for exceptions (e.g., warrants, exigent circumstances, counterterrorism, infrastructure inspections) and note policies limit image retention unless evidentiary. Notification for business flights might still restrict airspace indirectly.
SB519: Mora Weston, New England Connectivity and Telecommunications Association (NECA) Information Only00:43:17.359 - 12:42:04 PM; Mora Weston represents NECA, including Breezeline, Charter, and Comcast, serving 695,000 locations in 185 NH communities. She supports privacy goals but requests exemptions for inspecting fiber optic/cable lines, identifying damage, ensuring worker safety, and post-storm surveys to prioritize repairs. Notification could burden emergency responses. As a voice for TV creators, she seeks an exemption for legitimate news coverage and broadcasting. She submitted written testimony with specific language recommendations.
SB519: Cam Leine, American Property Casualty Insurance Association and NH Association of Domestic Insurance Companies Support00:46:08.640 - 12:44:55 PM; Cam Leine from Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green in Reno represents insurance associations, including NAMIC. They request an exemption for legitimate insurance purposes, such as roof inspections for damage assessment, which is cheaper, safer, and quicker. They support amendment 2026-0049s drafted by Senator Gannon and hope for further additions.
SB521: Senator Reen Support00:48:51.599 - 12:47:38 PM; Senator Reen introduces SB521, explaining that while RSA 236:58 prohibits camping on public property, there is no equivalent for private property. The bill applies to cities and towns with populations over 10,000, expediting removal of unauthorized campers by eliminating the need for a no trespass order. He highlights the high cleanup costs in Concord, exceeding $1.5 million, treated as hazardous waste, and notes strong support for the bill.
SB521: Steve Duprey, Concord Support00:51:00.480 - 12:49:47 PM; Steve Duprey elaborates on the current law's limitations, sharing personal experiences in Concord where unauthorized camping led to significant cleanup costs, such as $50,000 for debris including excrement and needles. He explains the bill allows police to remove campers from private property without owner presence if no permission is given, targeting larger municipalities to avoid burdening small towns. He addresses social services indirectly, noting it may encourage homeless individuals to seek help or move on, and emphasizes reduced security costs for property owners. During Q&A, he discusses liability concerns, enforcement of trespass laws, and examples of residential impacts.
SB648 507J3: Senator Reen Support00:58:46.079 - 12:57:33 PM; Senator Reen introduces SB648, requiring commercial websites or apps with over one-third harmful content to minors to implement age verification for users 18 and older. He mentions an amendment removing the private right of action and reinstating Section 230 defenses. He addresses questions on scope, including applications, noting it's aimed at content providers, not transmitters.
SB648 507J3: Steve Duprey Support01:01:53.200 - 1:00:40 PM; Steve Duprey supports the bill, citing research on increased domestic and sexual violence linked to early exposure to explicit content online, with children accessing it as young as 11. Modeled on upheld laws like Texas's, it mandates government ID-based verification without data retention or sale, enforced by the attorney general. He clarifies it targets content providers, not platforms like Meta, and emphasizes privacy protections. In Q&A, he distinguishes apps from websites and notes it's to protect minors from hardcore pornography.
SB648 507J3: Mora Watson, New England Connectivity and Telecommunications Association Information Only01:11:14.960 - 1:10:01 PM; Mora Watson provides information on behalf of her association, supporting child safety goals but seeking clarification that ISPs are exempt as they cannot monitor content. She suggests language from over 20 states, including Arkansas, to exempt ISPs providing mere access, and thanks for removing the private right of action.
SB648 507J3: Bob Dunn, Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester Support01:13:52.560 - 1:12:39 PM; Bob Dunn registers support, referencing the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' recommendation for age verification laws, now in 21 states post-Supreme Court ruling in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton. He highlights it as pro-child and pro-parent, addressing the pervasiveness of explicit content on devices.
SB648 507J3: Nancy Berman Information Only01:16:32.560 - 1:15:19 PM; Nancy Berman testifies neutrally, supporting the goal but suggesting fixes: clarifying 'contemporary community standards' for harmful materials, increasing civil fines beyond $10,000-$25,000 to deter violations, and ensuring enforcement against big tech like Meta. She shares examples of school book challenges, AI misuse like Grok and Undress app incidents in Goffstown and Bedford, warns about online grooming groups like 764, and opposes exemptions for libraries or government entities.
SB648 507J3: Michael Herman, Gibson's Bookstore, Concord Information Only01:21:48.960 - 1:20:35 PM; Michael Herman, neutral, applauds the goals but expresses concerns for bookstores with websites carrying potentially challengeable books like Lolita or Shakespeare. He notes the amendment removing private right of action alleviates most fears of frivolous lawsuits, but urges reconsideration to avoid chaos for independent retailers.
SB521: Committee Members Vote01:26:04.400 - 1:24:51 PM; The committee discusses SB521, noting the burden on private property owners and the need for easier enforcement of existing laws. Members agree it protects police and property owners, especially in larger areas like Concord. Motion to pass is made, seconded, and approved by consent. Senator Reen takes the bill.

Gannon, Bill(Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Abbas, Daryl(V Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Carson, Sharon(R)[B]2025
Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2025	Reardon, Tara(D)[F]2025