SB 409-FN (2026): relative to the penalties for the offense of disobeying an officer and relative to liability of governmental units.

SB 409-FN (2026)

relative to the penalties for the offense of disobeying an officer and relative to liability of governmental units.

• Status: Died: the chambers did not agree on a version
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 13, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 3–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On January 29, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on February 19, 2026 and was referred to the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 18, 2026, with 97 people signed in online: 9 in support and 88 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on April 24, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 13–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1389h), and the report was placed on the regular calendar. A floor amendment (2026-1773h) was adopted on a voice vote on May 14, 2026, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2026-1964h) was adopted on a division vote 190–164 on May 14, 2026, changing the text of the bill. The committee's amendment (2026-1389h) was adopted on a voice vote on May 14, 2026, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2026-1961h) was adopted on a voice vote on May 14, 2026, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2026-1970h), offered by Rep. Diane Kelley, was rejected on a roll call 172–184 on May 14, 2026. On May 14, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 181–175. On May 21, 2026 the Senate voted to reject the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Bill Gannon.

Sponsors

• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. JD Bernardy (R - Rock 36)
• Sen. Sharon Carson (R - SD14)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Sen. Mark McConkey (R - SD3)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Rep. Jennifer Rhodes (R - Ches 17)
• Rep. Kimberly Rice (R - Hills 38)
• Rep. Lilli Walsh (R - Rock 15)
• Rep. Kenneth Weyler (R - Rock 14)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 13, 2026, 1:00 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• January 29, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 18, 2026, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, GP 159
• April 24, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, GP 159
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, House
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• January 29, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: Adopt Amendment — yeas 190, nays 164, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: Adopt Floor Amendment — yeas 172, nays 184, failed
• May 14, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1773h 2026-1964h 2026-1389h and 2026-1961h — yeas 181, nays 175, passed
• May 21, 2026, Senate: Nonconcur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 265:4
• RSA 507-B:4
• RSA 507-B:7-a
• RSA 31:105
• RSA 507-B:2

Related Bills

• HB 510-FN (2026): establishing a commission to study due process in higher education disciplinary proceedings.
• HB 1064-FN (2026): relative to liability of governmental units.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 3
• SJ 2
• HJ 5, page 124
• HC 19, page 18
• HJ 13, pages 29, 31, 33 and 36
• SJ 13