HB 1540 (2026): relative to municipal health ordinances and accessory dwelling units and relative to on-premises licenses for licensed barbershops and salons.

HB 1540 (2026)

relative to municipal health ordinances and accessory dwelling units and relative to on-premises licenses for licensed barbershops and salons.

• Status: Died: conferees could not agree
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Housing
• Senate committee: Commerce
• Subject: Housing

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Housing committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 22, 2026, with 139 people signed in online: 132 in support and 7 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 3, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 17–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0951h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0951h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 11, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 11, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Commerce committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 21, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, 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 May 7, 2026. A floor amendment (2026-1842s), offered by Sen. Perkins Kwoka, 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 7, 2026 the House adopted “House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1842s and Requests CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Alexander Jr. On May 14, 2026 the Senate adopted “Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Daniel Innis. A committee of conference met on May 26, 2026 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill.

Sponsors

• Rep. David Fracht (D - Graf 16) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Karen Ebel (D - Merr 7)
• Rep. Jaci Grote (D - Rock 24)
• Rep. Allan Howland (D - Straf 20)
• Rep. John MacDonald (R - Carr 6)
• Rep. Jim Maggiore (D - Rock 23)
• Rep. Nancy Murphy (D - Hills 12)
• Rep. Rosemarie Rung (D - Hills 12)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 22, 2026, 1:30 PM: public hearing, House Housing, GP 231
• March 3, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Housing, GP 231
• March 11, 2026: consent calendar, House
• April 21, 2026, 10:15 AM: hearing, Senate Commerce, SH 100
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 26, 2026, 11:30 AM: committee of conference, GP 230

Votes

• March 11, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0951h — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1842s — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, House: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1842s and Requests CofC — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 674:72
• RSA 178:21

Related Bills

• SB 669-FN (2026): relative to on-premises licenses for licensed barbershops and salons.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 25
• HC 10, page 24
• HJ 7, page 50
• SJ 7
• SC 15
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• HJ 12, page 41
• SJ 13
• HJ 14, page 34
• SJ 14