HB 1788-FN (2026): holding state contracts with DEI provisions to be void as a matter of law and establishing a right of action for citizens where public entities or state agencies engage with contracts with DEI provisions.

HB 1788-FN (2026)

holding state contracts with DEI provisions to be void as a matter of law and establishing a right of action for citizens where public entities or state agencies engage with contracts with DEI provisions.

• Status: Referred for interim study
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Executive Departments and Administration
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Discrimination

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Executive Departments and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 15, 2026, with 163 people signed in online: 4 in support and 159 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 3, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0453h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 9–7. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0453h) was adopted on a division vote 324–1 on March 11, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 11, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 179–148. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 2, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate study it after the session ends, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On April 16, 2026 the Senate adopted “Refer to Interim Study” on a voice vote.

Sponsors

• Rep. Rich Nalevanko (R - Ches 9) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Ross Berry (R - Hills 44)
• Rep. Jose Cambrils (R - Merr 4)
• Rep. Susan DeRoy (R - Straf 3)
• Rep. Joe Sweeney (R - Rock 25)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)
• Rep. Robert Wherry (R - Hills 13)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 15, 2026, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Executive Departments and Administration, GP 231
• March 3, 2026, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Executive Departments and Administration, GP 159
• March 11, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 2, 2026, 1:40 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• April 16, 2026: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• March 11, 2026, House: Adopt Committee Amendment — yeas 324, nays 1, passed
• March 11, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0453h — yeas 179, nays 148, passed
• April 16, 2026, Senate: Refer to Interim Study — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 21-I:112
• RSA 21-I:114
• RSA 186:71
• RSA 186:77

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 36
• HC 10, page 45
• HJ 7, pages 170 and 171
• SJ 7
• SC 12
• SC 14
• SJ 9