SB 445 (2026): relative to adjudicative proceedings where there is a council or board with jurisdiction.

SB 445 (2026)

relative to adjudicative proceedings where there is a council or board with jurisdiction.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Environment and Agriculture
• Senate committee: Energy and Natural Resources
• Subject: State Government
• Chapter law: 185

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 15, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1126s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1126s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 26, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 26, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 26, 2026 and was referred to the House Environment and Agriculture committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 14, 2026. The committee held work sessions on April 14, 2026 and April 28, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 13–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1661h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1661h) was adopted on a voice vote on May 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 7, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On May 14, 2026 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Kevin Avard. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on June 19, 2026, making it Chapter 185 of the session laws. It took effect on August 18, 2026.

Sponsors

• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Sen. Tim McGough (R - SD11)
• Rep. Jeremy Slottje (R - Hills 13)
• Rep. James Thibault (R - Merr 25)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 15, 2026, 1:10 PM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• March 26, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• April 14, 2026, 10:45 AM: public hearing, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• April 14, 2026, 1:30 PM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• April 28, 2026, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• May 7, 2026: consent calendar, House
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• March 26, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1126s — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1661h — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 125-C:13
• RSA 125-C:15
• RSA 125-D:4
• RSA 125-I:3-a
• RSA 125-J:8
• RSA 141-E:16
• RSA 146-A:15
• RSA 146-C:4
• RSA 146-C:10-a
• RSA 147-A:17-a
• RSA 149-M:12
• RSA 149-M:16
• RSA 149-M:38
• RSA 332-E:9
• RSA 482:89
• RSA 482-B:8
• RSA 482-B:9
• RSA 482-B:16
• RSA 483:9-c
• RSA 485:58
• RSA 485-A:7-a
• RSA 485-A:7-c
• RSA 485-A:22
• RSA 485-A:28
• RSA 485-A:35
• RSA 485-A:36
• RSA 485-A:40
• RSA 485-A:43
• RSA 485-A:54
• RSA 485-C:2
• RSA 485-C:18
• RSA 486-A:14
• RSA 487:7
• RSA 488:8
• RSA 489-C:5
• RSA 482-A:2
• RSA 482-A:3
• RSA 482-A:13
• RSA 483-B:18
• RSA 21-M:3
• RSA 21-O:14
• RSA 541-A:30
• RSA 125-J:4
• RSA 141-E:4
• RSA 149-M:7
• RSA 149-M:37
• RSA 485-A:2
• RSA 488:9
• RSA 125-O:7

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 1
• SC 11
• SJ 7
• HJ 9, page 54
• HC 18, page 6
• HJ 12, page 7
• SJ 12
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 43