HB 1299 (2026): permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances and establishing that certain biological sex distinctions do not qualify as discrimination.

HB 1299 (2026)

permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances and establishing that certain biological sex distinctions do not qualify as discrimination.

• Status: Died on the table
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Judiciary
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Discrimination

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 20, 2026, with 678 people signed in online: 25 in support and 653 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on February 20, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0854h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 10–7. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On March 11, 2026 the House rejected a motion to kill it and bar the subject for the rest of the term on a roll call 156–171, on a motion by Rep. Lily Foss. The committee's amendment (2026-0854h) was adopted on a roll call 176–156 on March 11, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 11, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 176–155. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 21, 2026. The committee voted 3–2 to recommend that the Senate pass it. On May 7, 2026 the Senate voted to lay it on the table on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Bill Gannon.

Sponsors

• Rep. Jim Kofalt (R - Hills 32) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Joe Alexander (R - Hills 29)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Rep. Sayra DeVito (R - Rock 8)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Rep. Kristin Noble (R - Hills 2)
• Rep. Jeanine Notter (R - Hills 12)
• Rep. Vanessa Sheehan (R - Hills 43)
• Rep. Shane Sirois (R - Hills 32)
• Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R - SD18)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 20, 2026, 10:30 AM: public hearing, House Judiciary, GP 231
• February 20, 2026, 10:30 AM: executive session, House Judiciary, GP 231
• March 11, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 21, 2026, 1:40 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• March 11, 2026, House: Indefinitely Postpone — yeas 156, nays 171, failed
• March 11, 2026, House: Adopt Amendment — yeas 176, nays 156, passed
• March 11, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 176, nays 155, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Laid on Table — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 354-A:1
• RSA 354-A

Related Bills

• HB 396 (2024): permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances.
• HB 396 (2024): permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances.
• HB 148 (2025): permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain circumstances.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 14
• HC 10, page 56
• HJ 7, pages 230, 232 and 234
• SJ 7
• SC 15
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• This page’s data as JSON