Committee Summary for Senate Judiciary (03/10/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1697 00:02:46.680 - 12:01:32 PM	Public Hearing	exempting certain firearms and firearm accessories manufactured and retained in New Hampshire from federal regulation.	Belcher, Mike(R)[B+]2025
HB1365 00:32:46.680 - 12:31:32 PM	Public Hearing	relative to applications for licenses to carry a loaded pistol or revolver.	McFarlane, Donald(R)[A]2025
SB609 00:36:13.966 - 12:34:59 PM	Public Hearing	relative to improving screening for and treatment of blood clots, or venous thromboembolism, and establishing a statewide venous thromboembolism registry.	Carson, Sharon(R)[B]2025
SB609 00:51:13.966 - 12:49:59 PM	Public Hearing	relative to improving screening for and treatment of blood clots, or venous thromboembolism, and establishing a statewide venous thromboembolism registry.	Carson, Sharon(R)[B]2025
HB1444 00:54:03.475 - 12:52:49 PM	Public Hearing	relative to the purchase or acquisition of certain unmanned aircraft systems.	Moffett, Michael(R)[B+]2025
HB206 01:05:08.267 - 1:03:54 PM	Public Hearing	relative to government agent entries into secured premises.	Spillane, James(R)[A]2025

HB1697: Representative Mike Belcher, Carroll District 4 Support00:02:46.680 - 12:01:32 PM; Representative Belcher introduces HB1697, which aims to challenge the Supreme Court decision in Wickard v. Filburn by creating a voluntary category for manufacturing firearms and accessories in New Hampshire that are regulated solely by the state and not exported. The bill requires serialization and marking with low-level criminal penalties for export or destruction of serial numbers to demonstrate state seriousness in regulation. It does not affect existing manufacturers or NFA items like machine guns and seeks to expand state rights under federalism, potentially funded by private parties.
HB1697: Representative Terry Roy, Rockingham District 31, Chairman of Criminal Justice Committee Support00:17:46.680 - 12:16:32 PM; Representative Roy testifies in support of HB1697, defending the House's position and intention to challenge federal overreach on intrastate manufacturing. He references past cases like Jeremy Kettler to highlight risks of state compliance leading to federal penalties and suggests minor amendments like adding 'purposely' to export provisions and a trigger for AG involvement to ensure compliance.
HB1365: Representative McFarlane Support00:32:46.680 - 12:31:32 PM; Representative McFarlane introduces HB1365, which addresses the DSSP85 form used for permit applications. The bill references specific versions of the form and aims to clarify requirements, avoiding incomplete application notices and unnecessary data fields to reduce confusion, especially as towns adopt the form. Discussion includes updating to the most current 2017 version and revising it administratively without rules committee if possible.
HB1365: Department Representative (DSS) Information Only00:32:46.680 - 12:31:32 PM; The department representative explains the differences between 2009 and 2017 versions of the DSSP85 form, noting the absence of the 'incomplete application will be returned' statement in the older version and the presence of optional data fields. They confirm the ability to revise the form quickly but note it may require administrative approval, and emphasize consistency in statutory requirements for the form.
SB609: Representative McFarlane, Orange Support00:36:13.966 - 12:34:59 PM; Representative McFarlane, on behalf of the prime sponsor, introduces SB609 to reinforce state preemption by returning full authority over firearms and self-defense tools regulation to the general court, preventing agencies from promulgating rules. The bill covers edge cases already addressed in statute and expands to self-defense tools like tasers or pepper spray, leaving the term broad for legislative determination rather than agency rules. Examples include concerns for snowplow drivers carrying tools in vehicles.
SB609: Representative Terry Roy, Rockingham 31, Chairman of Criminal Justice Committee Support00:36:13.966 - 12:34:59 PM; Representative Roy supports SB609, emphasizing state-level preeminence in firearms licensing and regulation. He clarifies that the bill does not authorize illegal items like brass knuckles but prevents local agencies from defining them, leaving it to the state. Regarding jurisdiction, he notes it conveys state authority while allowing delegation for enforcement like permitting.
SB609: J.R. Halls, New Hampshire Firearms Coalition and Gun Owners of America Support00:36:13.966 - 12:34:59 PM; J.R. Halls testifies in support of SB609 on behalf of the New Hampshire Firearms Coalition and Gun Owners of America, providing history that the text dates to 2003, updated in 2011 to include knives due to inconsistent local regulations. The bill expands to other self-defense tools broadly to avoid limiting lists, ensuring uniform state regulation without local variations.
SB609: J.R. Halls, New Hampshire Firearms Coalition and Gun Owners of America Support00:51:13.966 - 12:49:59 PM; The speaker argues for broad language in the bill to allow litigation against overreaching subdivisions or agencies, aligning with the Second Amendment's purpose to preserve rights in New Hampshire. They emphasize not relying on technical definitions and support the measure, hoping the committee passes it.
HB1444: Representative Roy, Rockingham 31 Information Only00:54:03.475 - 12:52:49 PM; Representative Roy introduces the bill on behalf of the prime sponsor, noting its focus on regulating unmanned aircraft concerning security, privacy, and civil liberties. He mentions deference to the National Defense Authorization Act and offers to answer questions.
HB1444: Adam Cardarelli, counterterrorism consultant, New Hampshire Information Analysis Center and State Police Terrorism and Intelligence Unit Support00:54:03.475 - 12:52:49 PM; Speaking on behalf of Lieutenant Chris Storm, Cardarelli notes that concerns with the original bill have been addressed by an amendment in the House. He highlights agreements with NDAA concerns about espionage, hacking, and supply chain issues with foreign-made drones, particularly from adversaries like China that may include spy technology.
HB1444: Tricia Lambert, Department of Transportation, Bureau of Aeronautics Support00:54:03.475 - 12:52:49 PM; Lambert joins the testimony from the Department of Safety perspective, confirming the amendment sufficiently addresses original concerns and supports the bill's intent to limit drones from unfriendly sources.
HB206: Representative Roy, Rockingham 31 Support01:05:08.267 - 1:03:54 PM; Roy introduces the bill on behalf of Representative Spillane, explaining it requires law enforcement to obtain a search warrant to enter properly posted property beyond the curtilage, except in exigent circumstances. He notes it responds to the open fields doctrine, aligns with New Hampshire's privacy expectations, and was amended to exclude non-law enforcement activities. During Q&A, he clarifies it does not affect wellness checks at homes or curtilage.
HB206: Representative Daniel Popovich Mueller Support01:05:08.267 - 1:03:54 PM; Mueller supports the bill, noting a similar version passed the House previously but failed in the Senate due to concerns about broadness affecting fish and game officers and others. He highlights amendments in sections VIII and IX to address those issues, emphasizing that posted land or fenced areas indicate privacy expectations, and the bill ensures law enforcement treats such areas like homes by requiring warrants. He references Vermont's similar laws and the need to protect against fishing expeditions.
HB206: Major Bill Bright, New Hampshire State Police Oppose01:05:08.267 - 1:03:54 PM; Bright, overseeing investigative services, disagrees with the sponsors, arguing the bill's definition of secured premises is too broad. He expresses concerns about its impact on routine police work.
HB206: Lieutenant Katelda, New Hampshire State Police Oppose01:20:08.267 - 1:18:54 PM; Katelda details how the bill would hinder welfare checks, emergency hospitalizations, wanted persons checks, missing juvenile checks, trespasser reports, and domestic violence investigations on posted properties. She notes exceptions like exigency or consent are hard to meet without approaching the property, and warrants require probable cause often gathered on-site. The bill could invite litigation against officers for mistaken exigency judgments and invalidate arrests or evidence. She argues it tips the balance too far against law enforcement's ability to investigate, recommending it be found inexpedient to legislate. During Q&A, she discusses challenges in domestic violence responses, the vagueness of exigency provisions, potential for lawsuits, and issues with seizing unrelated evidence under warrant scopes.

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