Committee Summary for Senate Judiciary (03/19/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1175 00:03:55.157 - 12:02:37 PM	Public Hearing	relative to the offense of use of scanning device or reencoder to defraud.	Alexander, Joe(R)[A+]2025
HB1308 00:11:24.475 - 12:10:06 PM	Public Hearing	relative to increasing the penalty for passing a stopped school bus.	Giasson, Henry(R)[A+]2025
HB1730 00:27:33.141 - 12:26:15 PM	Public Hearing	(New Title) enhancing the level of offense for certain sexual offenses.	Sweeney, Joe(R)[A]2025
HB1040 00:32:45.829 - 12:31:27 PM	Public Hearing	establishing a committee to study the laws and procedures governing the filing and registering of quitclaim deeds in the state.	Turer, Eric(D)[F]2025
HB1366 01:02:45.829 - 1:01:27 PM	Public Hearing	relative to military orders of protection.	Roy, Terry(R)[B]2025

HB1175: Grant Bossy, Deputy Chief of Staff of the New Hampshire Senate Information Only00:03:55.157 - 12:02:37 PM; Grant Bossy introduced House Bill 1175 on behalf of Representative Joe Alexander. The bill updates the state's anti-skimming statute to include stealing information from embedded chips in newer credit cards and gift cards, in addition to magnetic strips, to allow prosecution under existing law.
HB1175: Kate Morgan, New Hampshire Association of Counties Support00:06:00.000 - 12:04:42 PM; Kate Morgan testified in support of HB 1175, noting it was requested by county attorneys who have faced challenges prosecuting due to the narrow statute definition. She provided an example of a Dunkin' Donuts employee using a personal card reader to skim customers' cards at the drive-thru, which could not be charged under the current statute but was prosecuted under others. She described it as a technical update.
HB1308: Representative (unnamed in intro, bipartisan sponsor) Information Only00:11:24.475 - 12:10:06 PM; The Representative introduced HB 1308, a bipartisan bill to enhance penalties for passing school buses during child embarkation/disembarkation by making it a misdemeanor. It addresses mismatches in reported offenses due to bus drivers' distractions and requires warrants for camera footage, which hinders enforcement. The bill allows camera use without warrants to supplement driver statements for prosecution or defense, increasing the burden of proof appropriately.
HB1308: Representative Cyril Ors, Pittsfield and Chichester Support00:16:00.000 - 12:14:42 PM; Representative Cyril Ors testified in strong support of HB 1308 based on personal experiences witnessing vehicles passing stopped school buses, including one involving his children. He shared stories of his wife being rear-ended for stopping and chasing a violator who was in a hurry. He emphasized the need for greater attention and penalties to deter such behavior.
HB1308: Rick Lawton and Bridget Quinn, Teamsters Local 633 Support00:18:00.000 - 12:16:42 PM; Rick Lawton, a 48-year Teamster member and business agent for Local 633 representing over 900 school bus drivers, and Bridget Quinn, legislative director, testified in strong support of HB 1308. They highlighted frequent illegal passing incidents where drivers prioritize child safety over identifying vehicles. They stressed the essential role of onboard cameras in providing evidence, noting current warrant requirements hinder enforcement. Lawton shared an example of a time-consuming police report in Exeter and advocated for better camera use to protect children, emphasizing the cost of a child's life.
HB1730: Senator Daryl Abbas, District 22 (Pelham, Salem, Atkinson, Plaistow) Information Only00:27:33.141 - 12:26:15 PM; Senator Daryl Abbas introduced HB 1730, noting a House replace-all amendment changed the original bill. The amendment strikes language about using authority to coerce a victim to submit in offenses involving minors, as minors lack capacity to consent, making the element unnecessary. He praised it as a good catch by the House.
HB1730: Pamela Keilig, New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence Support00:30:00.000 - 12:28:42 PM; Pamela Keilig testified in support of HB 1730, reiterating that the House replace-all amendment provided an opportunity for a technical fix in the sexual assault statute. She explained that in cases involving incarcerated individuals, especially at juvenile detention centers, consent is not an issue, making the struck language redundant. She viewed it as a positive policy decision.
HB1040: Representative Eric Turer, Brentwood, Rockingham County Support00:32:45.829 - 12:31:27 PM; Representative Turer introduced HB 1040, prompted by a 92-year-old constituent concerned about title theft via quick claim deeds. He noted the constituent's recent family tragedy preventing his attendance. Turer explained that title theft is a growing issue in New Hampshire, targeting properties remotely, often vacant land but sometimes occupied homes. He referenced the NH Attorney General's June 2025 consumer alert on quick claim deed fraud and highlighted that current laws require registers of deeds to file documents without discretion. Turer discussed preventive measures in other states, such as distinguishing quick claim from warranty deeds, requiring additional proof for out-of-state filers, and safe harbors for registers. He advocated for a study committee to explore solutions tailored to New Hampshire, emphasizing the vulnerability of elderly victims and the need to prevent fraud proactively rather than mitigate after the fact.
HB1040: Joni McIntyre, Concord, Vice Chair of Public Policy, New Hampshire Association of Realtors Support00:40:00.000 - 12:38:42 PM; Joni McIntyre shared a personal experience of receiving a suspicious call about selling land in Grafton from someone in Exeter, which raised red flags after verification. She discussed the prevalence of vacant land fraud and efforts by the Realtors Association to educate members via podcasts and apps to check phone numbers and property records. McIntyre provided examples, including a case where fraud was caught at closing due to inability to verify the seller overseas, and another where an owner unknowingly benefited from the alert. She supported continuing as a study committee to address evolving fraud tactics, suggesting measures like sending registered letters to property addresses for notification. During questions, she noted uncertainty on fraud frequency with properties in trust versus individual ownership and emphasized the role of title companies in detecting issues.
HB1040: Nancy D'Angelos, Assistant Attorney General, Elder Abuse and Exploitation Unit Information Only00:50:00.000 - 12:48:42 PM; Nancy D'Angelos provided an example of a title theft scam where a scammer impersonated the property owner online, secured a real estate agent and attorney without in-person meetings, forged a notary signature on a warranty deed for a cash transaction, and wired funds to a fraudulent account. The real owners discovered the theft via tax forms. She highlighted red flags like remote communications and lack of title insurance in cash deals, noting impacts on both sellers and innocent buyers. D'Angelos suggested stopgap measures like pre-closing notifications to property addresses and discussed potential liabilities for attorneys involved. During questions, she confirmed scammers use the real owner's name and forged IDs, and noted that even warranty deeds are forged in these schemes, leading to disputes resolvable via quiet title actions.
HB1366: Unnamed Military Representative, New Hampshire National Guard Support01:02:45.829 - 1:01:27 PM; The speaker explained that HB 1366 builds on prior legislation signed in June, enhancing coordination between civilian law enforcement and the military regarding military protective orders (MPOs). In New Hampshire's unique context with an active duty squadron at Pease and no base housing, MPOs are administrative but violations can lead to UCMJ charges. The bill allows civilian police to report MPO violations to the National Guard General Counsel or designee, facilitating enforcement and victim support. A House amendment clarified notification to the office rather than a specific person. The speaker emphasized the importance of relationships between civilian and military law enforcement, especially without on-base options for separation.
HB1366: Melissa Willette, New England Regional Liaison, Defense State Liaison Office, Department of Defense Support01:10:00.000 - 1:08:42 PM; Melissa Willette described interpersonal violence as a key issue affecting service members and families across civilian and military jurisdictions. HB 1366 enhances communication by requiring civilian law enforcement to notify military authorities of MPO violations entered into the NCIC database, addressing current policies that do not mandate such reporting. This framework supports victims, ensures accountability under the UCMJ, and facilitates information sharing without granting civilians enforcement authority off-installation. She thanked the committee for considering the legislation.

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