SB 87-FN (2025): relative to one day liquor license requirements and making salons and barber shops eligible for on-premise licenses.

SB 87-FN (2025)

relative to one day liquor license requirements and making salons and barber shops eligible for on-premise licenses.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Commerce and Consumer Affairs
• Senate committee: Commerce
• Subject: Liquor and Beer
• Chapter law: 292

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the Senate Commerce committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 4, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 6–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The bill was taken off the consent calendar on March 6, 2025. A floor amendment (2025-0562s), offered by Sen. David Watters, was adopted on a voice vote on March 6, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 6, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 6–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-1100s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-1100s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 27, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 27, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 27, 2025 and was referred to the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 16, 2025, with 6 people signed in online: 5 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee held work sessions on May 13, 2025 and May 20, 2025. The committee met in executive session on May 27, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 16–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-2293h), and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-2293h) was adopted on a voice vote on June 5, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On June 5, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On June 5, 2025 the Senate voted to reject the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Daniel Innis. On June 5, 2025 the House adopted “House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Jim Kofalt. On June 26, 2025 the House adopted the conference report (2025-2799c) on a voice vote. On June 26, 2025 the Senate adopted the conference report (2025-2799c) on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on June 26, 2025 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2025-2927e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on August 1, 2025, making it Chapter 292 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Rep. Carol McGuire (R - Merr 27)
• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16)
• Sen. Tim McGough (R - SD11)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 4, 2025, 10:30 AM: hearing, Senate Commerce, SH 100
• March 6, 2025: floor debate, Senate
• March 27, 2025: consent calendar, Senate
• April 16, 2025, 2:45 PM: public hearing, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• May 13, 2025, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• May 20, 2025, 11:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• May 27, 2025, 1:15 PM: executive session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• June 5, 2025: floor debate, House
• June 17, 2025, 12:30 PM: committee of conference, SH 100

Votes

• March 6, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0562s — voice vote, passed
• March 27, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1100s — voice vote, passed
• June 5, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-2293h — voice vote, passed
• June 5, 2025, Senate: Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C — voice vote, passed
• June 5, 2025, House: House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC — voice vote, passed
• June 26, 2025, House: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
• June 26, 2025, Senate: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 178:22
• RSA 179:44
• RSA 178:21

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 8
• SC 11
• SC 14
• HC 27, page 13