HB 1598-FN (2026): relative to notice and proceedings for tenants and landlords engaged in eviction processes.

HB 1598-FN (2026)

relative to notice and proceedings for tenants and landlords engaged in eviction processes.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Housing
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Housing
• Chapter law: 308

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Housing committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 20, 2026, with 231 people signed in online: 3 in support and 228 in opposition. The committee held a work session on January 28, 2026. The committee met in executive session on February 3, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee held a work session on February 3, 2026. The committee voted 15–3 to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0463h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0463h) 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, whose chair waived the referral under House Rule 47(f). It crossed to the Senate on February 19, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 31, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1771s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1771s) 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, 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 14, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 21, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1771s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Alexander Jr. 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 (2026-2159e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 10, 2026, making it Chapter 308 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Dillon Dumont (R - Hills 13) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Calvin Beaulier (R - Graf 1)
• Sen. Sharon Carson (R - SD14)
• Rep. Brian Cole (R - Hills 26)
• Rep. Jordan Ulery (R - Hills 13)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 20, 2026, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Housing, GP 231
• January 28, 2026, 9:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Housing, GP 231
• February 3, 2026, 9:45 AM: full committee work session, House Housing, GP 231
• February 3, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Housing, GP 231
• February 19, 2026: floor debate, House
• March 31, 2026, 1:55 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• May 7, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• May 14, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• February 19, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0463h — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1771s — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 21, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1771s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 540:13
• RSA 540:13-c
• RSA 540:14
• RSA 540-A:2
• RSA 540-A:4
• RSA 540-A:3

Related Bills

• HB 1196 (2016): relative to the amount of a money judgment for unpaid rent.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 27
• HC 7, page 15
• HJ 5, pages 24, 39 and 112
• SJ 5
• SC 12
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• SC 18A
• SJ 12
• HJ 14, page 14
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, pages 47 and 56
• SJ 15