HB 279-FN (2024): increasing the penalty for on-premises licensees overserving alcohol.

HB 279-FN (2024)

increasing the penalty for on-premises licensees overserving alcohol.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2023-2024
• House committee: Commerce and Consumer Affairs
• Senate committee: Commerce
• Subject: Liquor and Beer
• Chapter law: 179

The Story

It was introduced on January 5, 2023 and referred to the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 25, 2023. The committee held a work session on February 1, 2023. The committee met in executive session on February 2, 2023 to vote on its recommendation. The committee held a work session on February 15, 2023. The committee met in executive session on February 15, 2023 to vote on its recommendation. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee held a work session on October 17, 2023. The committee met in executive session on November 8, 2023 to vote on its recommendation. The committee held a work session on November 8, 2023. The committee voted unanimously, 19–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2023-2421h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2023-2421h) was adopted on a voice vote on January 3, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On January 3, 2024 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On January 3, 2024 the bill was referred to the Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 24, 2024, with 5 people signed in online: 2 in support, 2 in opposition and 1 as neutral. The committee met in executive session on January 24, 2024 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 18–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On February 8, 2024 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on February 15, 2024 and was referred to the Senate Commerce committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 16, 2024. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2024-1606s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2024-1606s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 2, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On May 2, 2024 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 30, 2024 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2024-1606s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. John Hunt. The bill was enrolled on June 13, 2024 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 12, 2024, making it Chapter 179 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Maureen Mooney (R - Hills 12) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Joshua Adjutant (D - Graf 16)
• Rep. Michael Cahill (D - Rock 10)
• Rep. Sherry Dutzy (D - Hills 6)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 25, 2023, 9:30 AM: public hearing, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• February 1, 2023, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• February 2, 2023, 1:30 PM: executive session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• February 15, 2023, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• February 15, 2023, 1:15 PM: executive session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• October 17, 2023, 1:15 PM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• November 8, 2023, 11:30 AM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• November 8, 2023, 1:30 PM: executive session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• January 24, 2024, 9:30 AM: public hearing, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 202-204
• January 24, 2024, 9:30 AM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 202-204
• April 16, 2024, 10:20 AM: hearing, Senate Commerce, SH 100

Votes

• January 3, 2024, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2023-2421h — voice vote, passed
• February 8, 2024, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 2, 2024, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-1606s — voice vote, passed
• May 30, 2024, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2024-1606s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 179:5
• RSA 179:57

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 40
• HC 42
• HC 49, page 4
• SC 15
• SC 17