HB 1576-FN (2026): relative to the enforcement of criminal restitution obligations.

HB 1576-FN (2026)

relative to the enforcement of criminal restitution obligations.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections
• Chapter law: 233

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 22, 2026, with 24 people signed in online: 24 in support. The committee met in executive session on February 4, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 13–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0366h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0366h) was adopted on a voice vote on February 19, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On February 19, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On February 19, 2026 the bill was referred to the Finance committee. The committee held a work session on March 13, 2026. The committee met in executive session on March 17, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 25–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the regular calendar. On March 26, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 26, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 7, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On April 23, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 7–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On May 7, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. 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 (2026-2132e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 233 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Kathleen Paquette (R - Hills 25) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Brian Cole (R - Hills 26)
• Rep. Pierre Dupont (R - Hills 20)
• Rep. Larry Gagne (R - Hills 16)
• Rep. Jessica Grill (D - Hills 18)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Rep. Steven Kesselring (R - Hills 18)
• Rep. Lori Korzen (R - Coos 7)
• Rep. Linda McGrath (R - Rock 40)
• Rep. Mark McLean (R - Hills 15)
• Rep. Jonathan Morton (R - Hills 39)
• Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R - SD18)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 22, 2026, 11:30 AM: public hearing, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, GP 159
• February 4, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, GP 159
• February 19, 2026: floor debate, House
• March 13, 2026, 10:00 AM: work session, House Finance, GP 230
• March 17, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Finance, GP 230
• March 26, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 7, 2026, 1:35 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• April 23, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• May 7, 2026: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• February 19, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0366h — voice vote, passed
• March 26, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• April 23, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 651:64

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 26
• HC 7, page 7
• HJ 5, pages 8 and 39
• HJ 9, page 24
• SJ 7
• SC 13
• SC 15A
• SJ 10
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, pages 44 and 52
• House Calendar 12, 2026, committee report