HB 1419 (2026): establishing a committee to study whether a court with specialized jurisdiction over corporate, commercial, and equitable matters should be established.

HB 1419 (2026)

establishing a committee to study whether a court with specialized jurisdiction over corporate, commercial, and equitable matters should be established.

• Status: Died: the chambers did not agree on a version
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Judiciary
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Study Committees and Commissions

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 20 people signed in online: 5 in support and 15 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 2026-0897h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 9–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0897h) was adopted on a division vote 187–151 on March 12, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 12, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 189–149. 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 28, 2026. The committee voted 3–2 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1767s). The committee's amendment (2026-1767s) 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 on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 21, 2026 the House adopted “House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1767s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Bob Lynn.

Sponsors

• Rep. Donald McFarlane (R - Graf 18) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Jim Kofalt (R - Hills 32)
• Rep. Dan McGuire (R - Merr 14)
• Rep. Mary Murphy (R - Hills 27)
• Rep. Jason Osborne (R - Rock 2)
• Rep. Daniel Popovici-Muller (R - Rock 17)
• Rep. Joe Sweeney (R - Rock 25)
• Rep. Jordan Ulery (R - Hills 13)
• Rep. Robert Wherry (R - Hills 13)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 20, 2026, 1:30 PM: public hearing, House Judiciary, GP 231
• February 20, 2026, 1:30 PM: executive session, House Judiciary, GP 231
• March 12, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 28, 2026, 1:10 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 12, 2026, House: Adopt Committee Amendment — yeas 187, nays 151, passed
• March 12, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0897h — yeas 189, nays 149, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1767s — voice vote, passed
• May 21, 2026, House: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1767s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 19
• HC 10, page 58
• HJ 8, pages 9 and 10
• SJ 7
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• HJ 14, page 18