HB 1260-FN (2026): relative to marriage registration forms and delayed certificates of marriage.

HB 1260-FN (2026)

relative to marriage registration forms and delayed certificates of marriage.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Judiciary
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Municipalities
• Chapter law: 296

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 11, 2026, with 3 people signed in online: 3 in support. The committee met in executive session on February 13, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted 17–1 to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0693h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0693h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 5, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 5, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 5, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 24, 2026. The committee held a public hearing on March 24, 2026 on a proposed non-germane amendment (2026-1173s). The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1312s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1312s) was adopted on a voice vote on April 9, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On April 9, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On April 23, 2026 the House adopted “House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1312s and Requests CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Bob Lynn. On May 7, 2026 the Senate adopted “Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Bill Gannon. A committee of conference met on May 26, 2026 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. The Senate adopted the conference report (2026-2057c) on a voice vote. On June 4, 2026 the House adopted the conference report (2026-2057c) on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2026-2172e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 10, 2026, making it Chapter 296 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Paul Dargie (D - Hills 43) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Peter Petrigno (D - Hills 43)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 11, 2026, 10:30 AM: public hearing, House Judiciary, GP 230
• February 13, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Judiciary, GP 158
• March 5, 2026: consent calendar, House
• March 24, 2026, 1:00 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• April 9, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• April 23, 2026: floor debate, House
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 26, 2026, 10:00 AM: committee of conference, GP 234

Votes

• March 5, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0693h — voice vote, passed
• April 9, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1312s — voice vote, passed
• April 23, 2026, House: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1312s and Requests CofC — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed
• May 29, 2026, Senate: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
• June 4, 2026, House: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 5-C:1
• RSA 5-C:41
• RSA 5-C:42
• RSA 5-C:43
• RSA 5-C:49
• RSA 5-C:52
• RSA 5-C:53
• RSA 5-C:57
• RSA 5-C:91
• RSA 5-C:97
• RSA 5-C:102

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 12
• HC 9, page 18
• HJ 6, page 21
• SJ 6
• SC 11
• SC 13
• SJ 8
• HJ 11, page 84
• SJ 12
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, pages 12, 49 and 56
• SJ 15