HB 1643 (2026): relative to the report of a guardian ad litem.

HB 1643 (2026)

relative to the report of a guardian ad litem.

• Status: Vetoed, override failed
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Children and Family Law
• Senate committee: Children and Family Law
• Subject: Children

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Children and Family Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 17, 2026, with 12 people signed in online: 6 in support and 6 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 2, 2026 and March 3, 2026. The majority recommended that the House pass it, and the minority recommended that the House study it after the session ends, by a vote of 9–7. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On March 11, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a division vote 182–149. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Children and Family Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 2, 2026. The committee voted 2–1 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 April 23, 2026. On April 23, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. The bill was enrolled on May 21, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor vetoed it on June 12, 2026. The legislature can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. On August 19, 2026 the House voted 157–152 on overriding the governor's veto on a roll call, and the veto was sustained, failing to meet the two thirds threshold.

Sponsors

• Rep. Kimberly Rice (R - Hills 38) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Daryl Abbas (R - SD22)
• Rep. Debra DeSimone (R - Rock 18)
• Rep. Jim Kofalt (R - Hills 32)
• Rep. Jodi Nelson (R - Rock 13)
• Rep. Kristin Noble (R - Hills 2)
• Rep. Jeanine Notter (R - Hills 12)
• Rep. Jason Osborne (R - Rock 2)
• Rep. Sherman Packard (R - Rock 16)
• Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R - SD18)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 17, 2026, 1:30 PM: public hearing, House Children and Family Law, GP 230
• March 2, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Children and Family Law, GP 230
• March 3, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Children and Family Law, GP 230
• March 11, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 2, 2026, 9:40 AM: hearing, Senate Children and Family Law, SH 100
• April 23, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• August 19, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 11, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — yeas 182, nays 149, passed
• April 23, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• August 19, 2026, House: Veto Override — yeas 157, nays 152, failed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 461-A:16

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 29
• HC 10, page 30
• HJ 7, page 66
• SJ 7
• SC 12
• SC 15A
• SJ 10
• SJ 14
• HJ 14, page 34
• HJ 16, page 50