HB 1252 (2026): requiring the department of safety to only administer tests for commercial driver's licenses in English and prohibiting the assistance of an interpreter during such tests.

HB 1252 (2026)

requiring the department of safety to only administer tests for commercial driver's licenses in English and prohibiting the assistance of an interpreter during such tests.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Transportation
• Senate committee: Transportation
• Subject: Motor Vehicles
• Chapter law: 221

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Transportation committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 3, 2026, with 352 people signed in online: 5 in support and 347 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 3, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1010h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 9–7. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1010h) was adopted on a division vote 184–158 on March 12, 2026, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2026-1104h), offered by Rep. Matthew Coker, was rejected on a division vote 169–177 on March 12, 2026. On March 12, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 194–156. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Transportation committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 14, 2026. The committee voted 3–2 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1736s). The committee's amendment (2026-1736s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 7, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes and ordered it to a third reading. On May 21, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1736s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Thomas Walsh. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 221 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Ted Gorski (R - Hills 2) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. James Creighton (R - Hills 30)
• Rep. Brian Labrie (R - Hills 2)
• Sen. Denise Ricciardi (R - SD9)
• Rep. Kimberly Rice (R - Hills 38)
• Rep. Matt Sabourin dit Choinière (R - Rock 30)
• Rep. Thomas Walsh (R - Merr 10)

Hearings and Sessions

• March 3, 2026, 10:20 AM: public hearing, House Transportation, GP 234
• March 3, 2026, 11:00 AM: executive session, House Transportation, GP 234
• March 12, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 14, 2026, 1:40 PM: hearing, Senate Transportation, SH 122-123
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 12, 2026, House: Adopt Committee Amendment — yeas 184, nays 158, passed
• March 12, 2026, House: Adopt Floor Amendment — yeas 169, nays 177, failed
• March 12, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 194, nays 156, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 14, nays 8, passed
• May 21, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1736s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 263:87
• RSA 263:98

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 12
• HC 10, page 74
• HJ 8, pages 74 and 76
• SJ 7
• SC 14
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• HJ 14, page 22
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 52