Committee Summary for Senate Judiciary (03/03/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB466 00:19:18.455 - 12:18:05 PM	Executive Session	relative to the possession of a firearm without a serial number.	Gannon, Bill(R)[B-]2025
Unclear 0991s 00:34:18.455 - 12:33:05 PM	Executive Session	relative to synthetic and semi-synthetic compounds
SB657 00:49:18.455 - 12:48:05 PM	Executive Session	relative to the oversight of artificial intelligence.	Perkins Kwoka, Rebecca(D)[F]2025
SB617 01:04:18.455 - 1:03:05 PM	Public Hearing	relative to the removal of abandoned vehicles by law enforcement.	Gannon, Bill(R)[B-]2025
HB1156 01:19:18.455 - 1:18:05 PM	Public Hearing	requiring that probate court notices of acquisitions of real estate through inheritance or similar devise be recorded in a county's registry of deeds.	Walker, David(R)[B+]2025
HB1172 01:34:18.455 - 1:33:05 PM	Public Hearing	relative to confidentiality protections for national guard sexual assault prevention and response personnel.	Moffett, Michael(R)[B+]2025

SB466: Committee Chair Support00:19:18.455 - 12:18:05 PM; Moved to move into executive session and then introduced SB 466FN, explaining that law enforcement has noted that individuals who steal guns and deface serial numbers receive lighter sentences than for possessing stolen guns, creating an incentive for such behavior. Made a motion for ought to pass.
Unclear 0991s: Senator Osler Information Only00:34:18.455 - 12:33:05 PM; Discussed testimony from a physician from Durham recommending inclusion of semi-synthetic in the definition of synthetic compounds. Proposed adding 'semi-synthetic' to the amendment language on line 14 to cover semi-synthetic forms as per the physician's explanation.
Unclear 0991s: Senator Abbas Information Only00:34:18.455 - 12:33:05 PM; Suggested aligning the amendment with the underlying bill's definition on page 2, line 10, by changing 'synthetic' to 'synthesized' or adding 'semi-synthetic' wherever 'synthetic' appears to ensure consistency and protect herbalists.
Unclear 0991s: Committee Chair Support00:34:18.455 - 12:33:05 PM; Agreed to the changes to add 'semi-synthetic' and moved for adoption of amendment 0991S as amended, then for ought to pass on the bill as amended.
Unclear 0991s: Sarah Burke-Cohen, New Hampshire Municipal Association Information Only00:34:18.455 - 12:33:05 PM; Clarified that under the statutory scheme, 'person' includes individuals, natural persons, corporations, and political entities, so businesses would be covered as persons or citizens in the bill.
Unclear 0991s: Senator Abbas Information Only00:49:18.455 - 12:48:05 PM; Raised concern about attorneys licensed in New Hampshire making requests on behalf of out-of-state clients, suggesting the language needs clarification to require representation of New Hampshire citizens or exempted parties to allow anonymous requests properly.
Unclear 0991s: Senator (unnamed) Information Only00:49:18.455 - 12:48:05 PM; Explained the purpose of the attorney language is to allow anonymous requests under New Hampshire Supreme Court case law (Sensabella) and requires attorneys barred in New Hampshire, but deferred on specifics.
Unclear 0991s: Senator Carson Oppose00:49:18.455 - 12:48:05 PM; Expressed concern that the bill and amendment are confusing and need more work for clarity, preferring to get it right rather than rushing and fixing later on the floor. Cannot support the amendment or bill as is.
SB657: Senator Rood Support00:49:18.455 - 12:48:05 PM; Supported the bill but criticized the broad definitions on page 3, lines 11-27, covering more than AI; suggested narrowing causes of action and noted affirmative defenses on page 4, line 13, may be ineffective due to litigation costs.
SB657: Senator Carson Information Only00:49:18.455 - 12:48:05 PM; Proposed a committee amendment to replace the bill with a study commission on AI's commercial and political effects, from page 2, line 5 to page 3, line 5. Noted prior NH legislation on AI, especially for children, and federal involvement, advising caution to avoid conflicts.
SB657: Senator Osler Support01:04:18.455 - 1:03:05 PM; Supported retaining civil action sections to address current AI misuse in misrepresenting people, policies, and public health. Argued for action now rather than just studying, as AI designers warn of risks, and parameters can be adjusted later.
SB657: Committee Chair Support01:04:18.455 - 1:03:05 PM; Withdrew ought to pass motion and seconded the study commission amendment, then moved for adoption of the amendment and ought to pass on the bill as amended.
SB617: Brendan Davey, Major, State Police Operations Bureau Oppose01:04:18.455 - 1:03:05 PM; Representing the Department of Safety, stated the department's position not to move forward with the bill at this time, as they are working with stakeholders including the towing association to develop more substantive and workable language beneficial to the public.
SB617: Ralph Crestor, President, New Hampshire Towing Association Oppose01:04:18.455 - 1:03:05 PM; The association opposes the current language of the bill. They have been working with the Department of Safety for weeks to fix issues and hope to resolve problems next year.
SB617: Pericles Grudis, New Hampshire Towing Association Oppose01:04:18.455 - 1:03:05 PM; They have collaborated with state police and Department of Safety for months on updated language but lack agreement due to unintended consequences. Requested more time for mutual compromise, estimating a good chance in two weeks.
SB617: Representative Walker Information Only01:04:18.455 - 1:03:05 PM; Withdrew previous motion and amendment, made a new motion for interim study on the bill, noting insufficient time for proper consideration.
SB617: Committee Chair Information Only01:04:18.455 - 1:03:05 PM; Asked if stakeholders anticipate resolution within the next couple of weeks for the Senate bill timeline.
HB1156: Prime Sponsor Support01:19:18.455 - 1:18:05 PM; The sponsor introduced HB 1156-FN, explaining that it requires estate administrators to notify local officials of inherited real estate and record this notice at the county registry of deeds before filing the final probate account. Currently, notifications often fail, leading to misdirected tax and utility bills and potential liens. Recording ensures timely updates to ownership records, searchable by all parties, preventing issues in resales and improving municipal processes.
HB1156: Joni McIntyre, Vice Chair, NH Association of Realtors Support01:25:00.000 - 1:23:47 PM; As a real estate agent with 18 years experience, McIntyre supported the bill, noting that clear chain of title from recorded notices simplifies property transactions, avoids closing delays from title search issues, and ensures proper ownership verification for buyers and sellers.
HB1156: Jim Michaud, Chief Assessor, Town of Hudson; Chair, NH Association of Assessing Officials Support01:28:00.000 - 1:26:47 PM; Michaud endorsed the bill, stating it was developed with input from NHMA, assessors, and registrars of deeds. He emphasized that the registry of deeds is the primary repository for ownership records, not probate courts, and accurate recordings ensure proper public policy for ownership tracking and municipal notifications.
HB1156: Brody Deshaies, NH Municipal Association Support01:31:00.000 - 1:29:47 PM; Deshaies testified on behalf of NHMA, noting the bill originated from requests by NHMA and assessors' association. It has broad support from NHMA, NH Association of Assessing Officials, NH Association of Counties, NH Registry of Deeds, and NH Real Estate Association. Bipartisan sponsors led to a 14-0 ought to pass in the House. The bill improves notification for inherited properties, addressing gaps in current law.
HB1172: Representative Mike Moffitt, Merrimack 4, Loudon and Canterbury Support01:34:18.455 - 1:33:05 PM; Moffitt introduced HB 1172, which provides confidentiality protections for National Guard personnel, particularly sexual assault counselors. It passed his committee unanimously and the House. He deferred to National Guard representatives for details but offered to answer questions.
HB1172: Major Ryan Olas, Associate General Counsel, NH Army and Air National Guard Information Only01:37:00.000 - 1:35:47 PM; Olas provided neutral information on HB 1172, explaining it would extend sexual assault counselor definitions to include certified National Guard SAPR counselors trained by the Department of Defense. These counselors support victims of sexual assault, harassment, and domestic violence in military and civilian contexts. Current federal protections exist, but a gap in NH state law (RSA 173-C:2) could compel testimony. The bill aligns state protections with those for civilians, ensuring maximum confidentiality as promised to service members.
HB1172: Major Ryan Olas, Associate General Counsel, NH Army and Air National Guard Information Only02:00:00.000 - 1:58:47 PM; In follow-up testimony, Olas clarified confidentiality rules, noting SAPR professionals follow guidelines similar to RSA 173-C:2, disclosing information only with written victim consent. Restricted reports or non-reporting consultations remain fully confidential, with only aggregate annual numbers reported without identifiers. The bill proactively ensures state courts cannot force testimony, filling a legal uncertainty gap.
HB1172: Emily Kroll, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Officer, NH National Guard Information Only01:40:00.000 - 1:38:47 PM; Kroll described the practical impact of HB 1172, which would grant state confidentiality protections to National Guard SAPR personnel, bridging a gap for off-duty incidents. The program offers medical, mental health, legal, and referral support to victims in the DOD community, similar to civilian counselors. Without protections, victims fear disclosures in hearings, silencing them. The bill prevents subpoenas, enhances support, and aligns with civilian standards. She explained reporting options: no report (fully confidential), restricted (confidential disclosure with non-identifying notifications to senior leadership), or unrestricted (with victim consent, notifying command and law enforcement for investigation). Confidentiality holds unless immediate safety risks like suicide or child abuse exist. Most survivors do not file reports, and resources are available without reporting.

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