HB 649-FN (2026): relative to the maintenance obligations of motor vehicle operators.

HB 649-FN (2026)

relative to the maintenance obligations of motor vehicle operators.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Transportation
• Senate committee: Commerce
• Subject: Motor Vehicles
• Chapter law: 69

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the House Transportation committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 11, 2025, with 279 people signed in online: 207 in support and 72 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on February 18, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee recommended, on a tied vote of 8–8, which carries no majority, that the House make no recommendation, and the report was placed on the regular calendar. On March 6, 2025 the House voted to pass it on a roll call 212–143. On March 6, 2025 the bill was referred to the Ways and Means committee, whose chair waived the referral under House Rule 47(f). It crossed to the Senate on March 6, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Commerce committee. The committee held public hearings on April 1, 2025 and April 8, 2025. The committee recommended, on a tied vote of 3–3, which carries no majority, that the Senate make no recommendation. On May 15, 2025 the Senate adopted “Special Order to End of the Day, Without Objection”. On May 15, 2025 the Senate voted to send it back to committee, on a motion by Sen. Daniel Innis. The committee recommended, on a tied vote of 3–3, which carries no majority, that the Senate make no recommendation. A floor amendment (2026-0039s), offered by Sen. Tim McGough, was adopted on a voice vote on January 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On January 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, 8–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0345s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0345s) was adopted on a voice vote on February 5, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On February 5, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On April 9, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-0039s and 2026-0345s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Thomas Walsh. The bill was enrolled on May 7, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2026-1656e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on May 18, 2026, making it Chapter 69 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Michael Granger (R - Straf 2) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Jason Osborne (R - Rock 2)
• Rep. Juliet Harvey-Bolia (R - Belk 3)
• Rep. Shane Sirois (R - Hills 32)
• Rep. John Sellers (R - Graf 10)
• Rep. Matt Sabourin dit Choinière (R - Rock 30)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 11, 2025, 1:00 PM: public hearing, House Transportation, LOB 203
• February 18, 2025, 2:00 PM: executive session, House Transportation, LOB 203
• March 6, 2025: floor debate, House
• April 1, 2025, 9:50 AM: hearing, Senate Commerce, SH 100
• April 8, 2025, 10:00 AM: hearing, Senate Commerce, SH 100
• May 15, 2025: floor debate, Senate
• January 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• February 5, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• April 9, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 6, 2025, House: Ought to Pass — yeas 212, nays 143, passed
• May 15, 2025, Senate: Rereferred — yeas 19, nays 3, passed
• January 7, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0039s — voice vote, passed
• February 5, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0345s — voice vote, passed
• April 9, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-0039s and 2026-0345s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 266
• RSA 266:8-a
• RSA 358-F:2
• RSA 358-F:4
• RSA 261:56
• RSA 261:57
• RSA 261:40-b

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 14, page 30
• SC 15
• SC 16
• SC 21A
• SJ 1
• SC 4
• HJ 10, page 10
• SJ 11
• HJ 11, page 82
• SJ 12
• HJ 12, page 39
• This page’s data as JSON