HB 529 (2026): relative to the liquor commission.

HB 529 (2026)

relative to the liquor commission.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Commerce and Consumer Affairs
• Senate committee: Commerce
• Subject: Liquor and Beer
• Chapter law: 8

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 5, 2025, with 32 people signed in online: 14 in support and 18 in opposition. The committee held a work session on March 12, 2025. The committee met in executive session on March 19, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee held work sessions on September 10, 2025, October 8, 2025 and October 28, 2025. The committee met in executive session on October 28, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 17–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-3070h), and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-3070h) was adopted on a voice vote on January 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On January 7, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on January 29, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Commerce committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 17, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 5, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. The bill was enrolled on March 12, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on March 27, 2026, making it Chapter 8 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Jessica Grill (D - Hills 18) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Joe Alexander (R - Hills 29)
• Rep. Luz Bay (D - Straf 21)
• Rep. Ross Berry (R - Hills 44)
• Rep. Matthew Coker (R - Belk 2)
• Rep. Alissandra Murray (D - Hills 20)
• Rep. Jason Osborne (R - Rock 2)

Hearings and Sessions

• March 5, 2025, 1:15 PM: public hearing, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• March 12, 2025, 1:15 PM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• March 19, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• September 10, 2025, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• October 8, 2025, 1:15 PM: full committee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• October 28, 2025, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• October 28, 2025, 11:00 AM: executive session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• January 7, 2026: floor debate, House
• February 17, 2026, 10:15 AM: hearing, Senate Commerce, SH 100
• March 5, 2026: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• January 7, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-3070h — voice vote, passed
• March 5, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 175:1
• RSA 178
• RSA 179:15
• RSA 179:5

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 51, page 20
• HJ 1, page 83
• SC 6
• SC 8
• SJ 5
• SJ 7
• HJ 8, page 115