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

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB409 00:07:00.000 - 12:05:46 PM	Public Hearing	relative to the penalties for the offense of disobeying an officer.	Gannon, Bill(R)[B-]2025
SB410 00:16:48.560 - 12:15:34 PM	Public Hearing	relative to possession of human remains for law enforcement training purposes.	Gannon, Bill(R)[B-]2025
SB410 2026-0077s 00:23:24.640 - 12:22:10 PM	Executive Session	relative to possession of human remains for law enforcement training purposes.	Gannon, Bill(R)[B-]2025
SB411 00:32:42.799 - 12:31:28 PM	Public Hearing	relative to the procedure concerning search warrant inventories.	Gannon, Bill(R)[B-]2025
SB411 00:39:06.480 - 12:37:52 PM	Executive Session	relative to the procedure concerning search warrant inventories.	Gannon, Bill(R)[B-]2025
SB622 2026-0076s 00:49:16.960 - 12:48:02 PM	Public Hearing	relative to the offense of identity fraud.	Innis, Daniel(R)[B]2025
SB622 00:56:26.559 - 12:55:12 PM	Public Hearing	relative to the offense of identity fraud.	Innis, Daniel(R)[B]2025
SB622 2026-0076s 00:58:22.799 - 12:57:08 PM	Executive Session	relative to the offense of identity fraud.	Innis, Daniel(R)[B]2025

SB409: Senator Bill Ganon, District 23 Support00:07:00.000 - 12:05:46 PM; Senator Ganon introduced SB 409, explaining that it addresses the issue of people not obeying police officers during traffic stops, particularly in auto incidents. He outlined the two main parts: elevating disobeying an officer and attempting to flee to a Class B felony, and making it a Class A felony if serious bodily injury or death results. He noted a doubling in incidents of disobeying police in vehicle situations and deferred to Lieutenant Storm for more details.
SB409: Lieutenant Chris Storm, NH State Police Support00:07:35.759 - 12:06:21 PM; Lieutenant Storm provided detailed support for SB 409, stating it strengthens penalties for fleeing from law enforcement during motor vehicle pursuits by updating RSA 265:4 to classify fleeing under subparagraph 1C as a Class B felony, and a Class A felony if it results in injury or death. He highlighted a 123% increase in pursuits since 2017, emphasizing the dangers to officers and the public. The bill establishes graduated penalties, maintains license suspensions, and serves as a deterrent. He mentioned collaboration with stakeholders and that surrounding states have similar penalties.
SB410: Senator Bill Ganon, District 23 Support00:16:48.560 - 12:15:34 PM; Senator Ganon introduced SB 410, requested by the Department of Safety, to establish a lawful and ethical framework for law enforcement to possess human remains for cadaver dog training. It addresses a gap in current law, developed with input from law enforcement, funeral homes, and academic institutions. The bill protects public safety while respecting the deceased and their families, providing necessary tools for effective community service.
SB410: Lieutenant Chris Storm, NH State Police Support00:17:47.280 - 12:16:33 PM; Lieutenant Storm supported SB 410, which creates a legal framework for possessing human remains for cadaver dog training, ensuring dignity, transparency, and accountability. He noted the critical role of cadaver dogs in searches and investigations, requiring realistic training with human remains. Currently, only Wyoming and Montana allow this; the bill includes safeguards like consent, oversight, documentation, and proper disposition. Developed with stakeholders including funeral professionals and academics like UNH's anthropology department, it fills a legal gap while enhancing public safety ethically.
SB410: David Bryant, President-elect, NH Funeral Directors Association, Berlin Support00:20:37.200 - 12:19:23 PM; David Bryant introduced himself as a funeral director from Berlin and president-elect of the New Hampshire Funeral Directors Association, and introduced his colleague Julie Tibo.
SB410: Julie Tibo, President, NH Funeral Directors Association Support00:20:37.200 - 12:19:23 PM; Julie Tibo expressed support for SB 410, noting collaboration with New Hampshire State Police to ensure dignified treatment of human remains, mirroring voluntary anatomical donor programs. She emphasized the value of returning missing remains to families to aid in the grief process, though not providing closure. The bill keeps the process with accredited law enforcement, addressing concerns about nonprofits. The association offers assistance to accredited agencies.
SB410 2026-0077s: Committee Discussion and Lieutenant Chris Storm, NH State Police Information Only00:23:24.640 - 12:22:10 PM; The committee discussed and voted on SB 410, initially moving for ought to pass but reconsidering to address amendment 2026-0077s. Lieutenant Storm summarized the amendment, which updates oversight and disposal of human remains as medical waste under existing rules, similar to hospitals. It requires agencies to file policies with police standards and training for oversight, shifting responsibility from the Department of Safety. The amendment was collectively developed with funeral homes and educational groups. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill as amended, then moved it for consent.
SB411: Senator Bill Ganon Information Only00:32:42.799 - 12:31:28 PM; Senator Ganon introduced SB 411, describing it as modernizing cumbersome search warrant and inventory procedures that require multiple officers.
SB411: Lieutenant Tamara Hester, NH State Police, Special Investigations Unit Support00:32:42.799 - 12:31:28 PM; Lieutenant Hester supported SB 411 to modernize electronic search warrants. She explained changes to inventory preparation, allowing the executing officer rather than the applicant to sign, addressing scenarios like remote executions in homicides or DWIs. For electronic warrants to providers like social media or carriers, it removes the in-person witness requirement while retaining digital trails and company certifications for accuracy. Physical searches still require witnesses.
SB411: Committee Vote00:39:06.480 - 12:37:52 PM; The committee made an ought to pass motion on SB 411, seconded it, voted in favor unanimously, and moved it for consent.
SB622 2026-0076s: Senator Dan Innis, District 7, Bradford Support00:49:16.960 - 12:48:02 PM; Senator Innis introduced SB 622 to protect businesses, governments, and individuals by adding 'entity' to the identity fraud statute, covering corporations, LLCs, governments, etc. It addresses fraudulent texts like fake tolls or AT&T scams. He offered amendment 2026-0076s to fix a grammatical error and add language on using personal identifying information, including brand marks and logos to deceive victims. The bill was requested by New Hampshire Bankers.
SB622 2026-0076s: Christine Merrill, President and CEO, New Hampshire Bankers Association Support00:52:19.920 - 12:51:05 PM; Christine Merrill testified in support of SB 622 on behalf of the New Hampshire Bankers Association, representing 40 banks employing 4,500 and generating $127 million in taxes. She highlighted escalating fraud, with $12.5 billion reported losses in 2024 (possibly $196 billion underreported) and over $1 trillion globally. Fraud now impersonates entities like banks via spoofed sites, emails, and calls. Current law focuses on individuals, leaving a gap for entity impersonation. Adding 'entity' equips law enforcement to charge such crimes, protecting consumers and businesses. She supported the amendment and suggested a minor comma addition for clarity, requesting ought to pass.
SB622: Mora Weston, New England Connectivity and Telecommunications Association Support00:56:26.559 - 12:55:12 PM; Mora Weston testified in strong support of Senate Bill 622, representing members including Breezeline, Charter Communications, and Comcast, which serve over 695,000 locations in 185 New Hampshire communities. She highlighted that current law does not explicitly cover fraudsters impersonating legitimate businesses or government entities to obtain sensitive data, leaving residents and companies vulnerable to sophisticated schemes. She concurred with the sponsor and the New Hampshire Bankers Association on the need to close this gap.
SB622 2026-0076s: Committee Chair Vote00:58:22.799 - 12:57:08 PM; The committee entered executive session. A motion to adopt the committee amendment 2026-0076s, prepared by Senator Inis with minor adjustments (adding two commas), was made and passed. Following that, a motion for ought to pass as amended was made, seconded, and passed by consent. The committee agreed to bring the bill to the floor.

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