Committee Summary for Senate Judiciary (01/15/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB553 00:09:01.600 - 12:05:57 PM	Public Hearing	relative to penalties for attempting to elude pursuit by law enforcement.	Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2025
SB618 00:18:27.600 - 12:15:23 PM	Public Hearing	relative to the penalties for repeat speeding offenders.	Ricciardi, Denise(R)[B]2025
SB620 00:51:57.040 - 12:48:53 PM	Public Hearing	relative to refusal of consent to testing to determine alcohol concentration and penalties for aggravated driving while intoxicated.	Gannon, Bill(R)[B-]2025
SB621 01:48:46.239 - 1:45:42 PM	Public Hearing	establishing a homicide cold case commission for the purpose of acting as an intermediary between the department of justice and the family of cold case homicide victims.	Long, Pat(D)[F]2025
Unclear 02:19:23.760 - 2:16:19 PM	Executive Session	Unclear

SB553: Senator Donovan Fenton, District 10 Support00:09:01.600 - 12:05:57 PM; Senator Fenton introduced SB 553, emphasizing public safety as a priority. He highlighted dangers from reckless driving based on experiences from the governor's highway safety task force. The bill increases penalties for willfully eluding officers by increasing speed, extinguishing headlamps, or abandoning a vehicle, including a minimum 6-month license suspension and at least five consecutive days in jail. It targets true pursuit situations without affecting unaware drivers. He noted frequent pursuits in Keene witnessed personally and urged support to deter dangerous behavior and protect officers and communities.
SB553: Captain Steve Tenny, Keene Police Department Support00:11:07.120 - 12:08:03 PM; Captain Tenny, with 27 years as a police officer in Keene, shared concerns about the exponential increase in pursuits, which have become more dangerous with higher speeds, longer distances, and disregard for others. Offenders believe fleeing the state avoids accountability, a trend noticed during the pandemic and influenced by other states' policies. Even initiating a stop leads to hazardous situations. He supports the bill to align penalties with DWI offenses, emphasizing seriousness for public safety, and hopes it educates to prevent fleeing. He submitted written testimony for details.
SB553: Lieutenant, New Hampshire State Police Support00:13:17.760 - 12:10:13 PM; The Lieutenant supported SB 553, which strengthens penalties under RSA 265:4 for fleeing by mandating at least 6 months license loss and five consecutive days in the House of Corrections, non-suspendable. It reflects the offense's severity and dangers to public and law enforcement. State Police noted a 123% increase in pursuits since 2017, underscoring need for deterrence. Pursuits endanger officers, citizens, and roadway travelers. The bill sends a strong message against fleeing, aiming to reduce pursuits, save lives, and protect officers.
SB618: Senator Denise Riccardi, District 9 Information Only00:18:27.600 - 12:15:23 PM; Senator Riccardi introduced SB 618, highlighting speeding as a major roadway threat with a 230% increase in vehicles over 100 mph since 2018 per the highway safety task force. Speeding contributes to severe crashes and a 50% rise in traffic deaths from 2019-2022. Nationally, it's a leading fatal crash factor costing billions. Current fines and suspensions fail repeat speeders. The bill targets high-risk repeat offenders, not average drivers. However, she recommends interim study by the Traffic Safety Commission to respect limited government, analyze NH-specific data, avoid unintended consequences, build consensus, and learn from other states like Georgia and North Carolina before finalizing penalties.
SB618: Jeff Rogers, Manchester, BikeWalk Alliance of NH and Families for Safe Streets Support00:24:55.679 - 12:21:51 PM; Jeff Rogers shared his 2015 near-fatal crash in Manchester, caused by high-speed collision, resulting in traumatic brain injury, fractures, coma, relearning basic skills, six months unemployment, and nearly $500,000 in costs. His family endured immense disruption. He joined Families for Safe Streets and supports SB 618 to make roads safer, save lives, improve living and business reliability in NH.
SB618: Paul Suska, Concord, BikeWalk Alliance of NH Support00:27:18.720 - 12:24:14 PM; Paul Suska, board president of BikeWalk Alliance of NH, advocated for safer biking and walking. He noted rising pedestrian and motor vehicle deaths, with current enforcement ineffective. SB 618 provides tools against egregious speeders, misunderstood on social media as targeting all drivers. It offers options like license forfeiture or ISA devices, proven in fleets like DWI interlocks. They support moving forward or refining via study to stem traffic deaths.
SB618: Gary Katapano, Bow, President of Safer First Consulting Support00:30:30.640 - 12:27:26 PM; Gary Katapano, with 35 years in safety including FMCSA advising and NYC ISA implementation, explained rising egregious speeding in NH due to low congestion and roadway design fostering risk underappreciation. He classified speeders: mistaken, habitual from comfort in modern cars, and willful high-risk personalities. Pandemic NYC saw speeding surge from less traffic reinforcing behavior. ISA technology cut speeding 64% in NYC fleets, adhering to limits 97.4% of time; it's retrofittable and equitable. NH's open roads amplify issues; bill targets worst offenders to prevent tragedies, warranting serious consideration. He answered questions on age trends (teens and 25-44 males), graduated licensing, training needs, habitual offenders, and enforcement limits.
SB618: Kevin Konne, Goffstown Support00:47:37.119 - 12:44:33 PM; Kevin Konne, a resident of Goffstown and former Manchester resident, testified as a pedestrian, cyclist, driver, and local, strongly supporting SB 618. He shared personal experiences of close calls with speeding vehicles in high-traffic areas, emphasizing that speeding cars pose a greater danger than crime in Manchester. Citing 2024 state data showing 14 murders versus 135 traffic fatalities, and noting 137 fatalities in 2025, he argued that while most drivers are responsible, reckless speeders exploit lenient consequences and limited police presence. He framed the bill as essential for public safety and law and order, urging real consequences for excessive speeders to reduce deaths, highlighting its bipartisan support and proven effectiveness.
SB620: Senator Bill Gannon, District 23 Support00:51:57.040 - 12:48:53 PM; Senator Bill Gannon introduced SB 620, explaining his previous failed attempts to address New Hampshire's 75% refusal rate for breathalyzer tests, contrasting it with other states' 25% rates. He noted rising death rates and collaborated with experts from the Governor's Highway Safety Task Force. The bill incentivizes taking the test by imposing a 12-month license suspension for refusal, treating it as a breach of the driver's license contract, while allowing judicial discretion for lighter sentences if the test is taken and results are slightly over the limit. The goal is to encourage compliance, promote counseling for problem drinkers, and reduce refusals to improve road safety.
SB620: Eddie Edwards, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Safety and Chair of Traffic Safety Commission Support00:57:55.760 - 12:54:51 PM; Eddie Edwards testified on the importance of SB 620, referencing the 2025 Governor's Traffic Safety Task Force recommendations to strengthen implied consent laws, a top priority aligning with public expectations for safe roads. He highlighted New Hampshire's $3 million annual investment in enforcement, including 71 specialized drug detection officers and crime lab resources, yet low evaluation numbers compared to Vermont. Emphasizing impaired driving as a preventable behavioral choice underpinning freedom and accountability, he urged support to match investments with policy, sending a clear message against drug and drunk driving.
SB620: Lieutenant Christopher Storm, New Hampshire State Police Support01:02:46.240 - 12:59:42 PM; Lieutenant Storm detailed New Hampshire's 70% refusal rate, nearly three times the national 24% average, compared to low rates in Vermont (14%) and Maine (16%). He advocated for extending first refusals to one year and subsequent to three years, making refusal a losing strategy. For those blowing over twice the limit who cooperate, he supported judicial discretion on jail time to incentivize testing, alongside requirements for treatment programs and alcohol interlocks. Citing NHTSA studies on administrative license suspension (ALS) effectiveness, he pleaded for passage to empower law enforcement and reduce recidivism through accountability and rehabilitation.
SB620: Attorney Ryan McFarland, Bureau Chief of Hearings, Department of Safety Support01:05:47.839 - 1:02:43 PM; Ryan McFarland explained how SB 620 closes a loophole by considering out-of-state DWI convictions for enhanced penalties, ensuring repeat offenders from neighboring states like Vermont or Massachusetts face appropriate suspensions rather than just six months. He emphasized fairness: cooperators blowing over 0.16 face mandatory jail, while refusers often avoid jail, interlocks, and treatment. The bill incentivizes testing by allowing judicial discretion for high blowers who comply, promoting safety and equity for all drivers on New Hampshire roads.
SB620: Attorney Robert Moses, Amherst Oppose01:16:43.760 - 1:13:39 PM; Attorney Robert Moses, handling many DWI cases, opposed harsher administrative penalties in SB 620, arguing they shift from remedial to punitive, risking 8th Amendment challenges, especially with second refusals matching criminal penalties. He criticized the lack of CDL warnings on refusal forms, leading to uninformed refusals and job losses, and suggested adding clear notices. Citing cases like State v. Cormier (1985) affirming refusal rights with consequences, he noted valid refusal reasons (e.g., medical fears, poor treatment) and cultural advice against testing. He recommended criminalizing refusal as a separate charge in court, like low-refusal states, for due process with higher burdens of proof, rather than low-threshold DMV hearings, to achieve justice without constitutional risks.
SB620: Alexandra Morrell, Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor, NH Department of Justice Support01:37:49.119 - 1:34:45 PM; Alexandra Morrell, with experience as prosecutor, public defender, and traffic safety expert, clarified SB 620 focuses on administrative suspensions, not criminalizing refusals, aligning with all states' implied consent laws. She noted New Hampshire's second-worst 69-70% refusal rate nationally, behind Rhode Island, despite being safest in other areas. Listing 30 states with at least 12-month first-offense suspensions, she argued the change is constitutional and deters refusals by exceeding current 180-day penalties, which are shorter than criminal ones (e.g., 9 months for first DWI conviction). For high blowers over 0.16, judicial discretion allows deferring jail for treatment via IDCMP. She addressed CDL forms (DSMV 426/436) complying with federal regulations for one-year disqualifications, emphasizing the privilege of driving and need to close out-of-state loopholes for repeat offenders.
SB620: Tom Baron, Traffic Education Specialist, AAA Northern New England Support01:46:08.000 - 1:43:04 PM; Tom Baron testified in support of SB 620, highlighting AAA's commitment to impaired driving prevention as a top priority. He noted the high refusal rate for testing and explained that the bill addresses this by increasing license suspension periods for refusals, aligning consequences with the offense's seriousness, and strengthening penalties for aggravated DWI. He described the bill as data-driven, consistent with national best practices, and a necessary reform to close gaps in impaired driving laws, ultimately saving lives. He urged the committee to recommend the bill ought to pass.
SB621: Senator Long Information Only01:48:46.239 - 1:45:42 PM; Senator Long introduced SB 621, aimed at improving communication between the cold case unit and the public, particularly families of the 127 cold cases. He emphasized that the bill does not require sharing sensitive information but seeks better outreach. He mentioned meeting with the Attorney General's office to agree on amended language, which would reduce meeting frequency to once a year after the annual report, sunset the commission in a couple of years, and appoint members selected by the Attorney General and Governor instead of public or family members. The amendment would make it easier and focus on connecting government with the public.
SB621: Chris Nolles, Chief, New Hampshire Cold Case Unit Oppose01:52:28.480 - 1:49:24 PM; Chris Nolles, Chief of the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit for the past 10 months, provided background on his experience as an attorney and prosecutor. He stated that the Attorney General's office and the unit do not believe SB 621 is necessary, citing over 650 public and family contacts in the past year, nearly triple the previous year, due to increased investments. The unit, founded in 2009 with minimal resources, now has a robust team including two dedicated investigators from the AG's office, two from State Police, auxiliary support, and a victim witness advocate. This has led to successes like recent charges and resolutions. He emphasized direct access to families, in-person meetings, and ongoing relationships, arguing the bill would insert an unnecessary intermediary. If adopted, he supported the amended version.
SB621: Jeff Stson, Senior Assistant Attorney General Oppose01:59:28.960 - 1:56:24 PM; Jeff Stson, with 29 years as a prosecutor including 23 at the AG's office handling homicides and cold cases like Bear Brook, addressed concerns about the bill. He agreed with initial worries about divulging sensitive information that could taint witnesses or aid defenses. The amendment addresses this by allowing withholding of impacting information (paragraph four). He discussed RSA 91-A risks, suggesting careful gatekeeping and potential exemptions. He noted challenges with public members potentially sharing inadvertently and preferred no bill but found the amended version more acceptable. He offered to consult Attorney General Formela on 91-A protections.
SB621: Mallerie Litman, Sergeant, New Hampshire State Police, Commander of Cold Case Unit Oppose02:14:59.840 - 2:11:55 PM; Sergeant Mallerie Litman, commander of the Cold Case Unit since August last year and a Major Crime Unit member for 10 years, opposed SB 621. She highlighted the unit's robust structure with dedicated investigators, prosecutors, and specialists assigned to all 127 cases, enabling direct family access and active meetings as shown in the annual report. Recent successes include case closures and an arrest in the Paul Hurley homicide. She argued the bill would disrupt the effective system, slow investigations, create unnecessary work, potentially violate suspects' and witnesses' rights by releasing info to non-law enforcement, and hinder prosecutions. She emphasized the current system works well without amendment.
Unclear: Committee Members Vote02:19:23.760 - 2:16:19 PM; The committee moved into executive session to discuss and vote on several bills. For SB 620, an amendment 0011s was passed, increasing suspension periods to 12 months and 3 years, followed by a motion to pass the bill as amended, which was approved. Motions for interim study were made and passed for bills including 409, 618, and others on the consent calendar. The session concluded with consent motions approved and the committee adjourning.

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