HB 1685 (2026): establishing a committee to study aiding the growth of assistive technology businesses and adoption of assistive technologies in New Hampshire.

HB 1685 (2026)

establishing a committee to study aiding the growth of assistive technology businesses and adoption of assistive technologies in New Hampshire.

• Status: Died: the chambers did not agree on a version
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Science, Technology and Energy
• Senate committee: Health and Human Services
• Subject: Study Committees and Commissions

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Science, Technology and Energy committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 9, 2026, with 8 people signed in online: 6 in support, 1 in opposition and 1 as neutral. The committee met in executive session on February 17, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 18–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0751h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0751h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 5, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 5, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 5, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Health and Human Services committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 18, 2026. On April 16, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1430s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1430s) was adopted on a voice vote on April 16, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On April 23, 2026 the House adopted “House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1430s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Vose. On May 14, 2026 the Senate adopted “Refused to Accede to House Request for Committee of Conference” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. David Rochefort.

Sponsors

• Rep. Heath Howard (D - Straf 4) (prime sponsor)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 9, 2026, 1:00 PM: public hearing, House Science, Technology and Energy, GP 229
• February 17, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Science, Technology and Energy, GP 229
• March 5, 2026: consent calendar, House
• March 18, 2026, 10:15 AM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 100
• April 16, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• April 23, 2026: floor debate, House
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• March 5, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0751h — voice vote, passed
• April 16, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1430s — voice vote, passed
• April 23, 2026, House: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1430s — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Refused to Accede to House Request for Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed

The Docket

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 31
• HC 9, page 27
• HJ 6, pages 35 and 36
• SJ 6
• SC 10
• SJ 9
• SC 14A
• HJ 11, page 84
• SJ 12