SB 186 (2026): preventing portraits depicting persons from being hung in certain places in the statehouse, unless the subject of the portrait has been dead for at least 10 years and provided exemplary and noteworthy services to the citizens of this state.

SB 186 (2026)

preventing portraits depicting persons from being hung in certain places in the statehouse, unless the subject of the portrait has been dead for at least 10 years and provided exemplary and noteworthy services to the citizens of this state.

• Status: Died: the chambers did not agree on a version
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Legislative Administration
• Senate committee: Executive Departments and Administration
• Subject: Memorials

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the Senate Executive Departments and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 5, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 13, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 27, 2025 and was referred to the House Legislative Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 16, 2025, with 7 people signed in online: 5 in support and 2 in opposition. The committee held a work session on April 16, 2025. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee held a work session on October 8, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 11–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-2993h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee met in executive session on October 8, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee's amendment (2025-2993h) 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. On February 5, 2026 the Senate voted to reject the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Howard Pearl. On February 5, 2026 the Senate adopted “Special Order to the Present Time, Without Objection”.

Sponsors

• Sen. Denise Ricciardi (R - SD9) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Sen. Tim McGough (R - SD11)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)
• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)
• Sen. Cindy Rosenwald (D - SD13)

Hearings and Sessions

• March 5, 2025, 9:15 AM: hearing, Senate Executive Departments and Administration, SH 103
• March 13, 2025: consent calendar, Senate
• April 16, 2025, 1:15 PM: public hearing, House Legislative Administration, LOB 203
• April 16, 2025, 1:45 PM: full committee work session, House Legislative Administration, LOB 203
• October 8, 2025, 1:40 PM: full committee work session, House Legislative Administration, GP 234
• October 8, 2025, 1:40 PM: executive session, House Legislative Administration, GP 234
• January 7, 2026: floor debate, House
• February 5, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• March 13, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• January 7, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-2993h — voice vote, passed
• February 5, 2026, Senate: Nonconcur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 14:14-b

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 11
• SC 12
• HC 51, page 15
• HJ 1, page 76