SB 486 (2026): relative to the administrative procedure act.

SB 486 (2026)

relative to the administrative procedure act.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Executive Departments and Administration
• Senate committee: Executive Departments and Administration
• Subject: Courts and Procedure
• Chapter law: 254

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Executive Departments and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 8, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0059s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0059s) was adopted on a voice vote on January 29, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On January 29, 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 February 19, 2026 and was referred to the House Executive Departments and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 1, 2026, with 4 people signed in online: 4 in support. The committee met in executive session on April 29, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 15–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1747h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1747h) 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. Howard Pearl. 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 July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 254 of the session laws. It takes effect January 1, 2027.

Sponsors

• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Sharon Carson (R - SD14)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Rep. Jaci Grote (D - Rock 24)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Rep. Erica Layon (R - Rock 13)
• Rep. Michael Moffett (R - Merr 4)
• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 8, 2026, 9:00 AM: hearing, Senate Executive Departments and Administration, SH 103
• January 29, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• April 1, 2026, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Executive Departments and Administration, GP 231
• April 29, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Executive Departments and Administration, GP 231
• May 7, 2026: consent calendar, House
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• January 29, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0059s — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1747h — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 541-A:1
• RSA 541-A:2
• RSA 541-A:3
• RSA 541-A:3-a
• RSA 541-A:4
• RSA 541-A:5
• RSA 541-A:6
• RSA 541-A:8
• RSA 541-A:9
• RSA 541-A:10
• RSA 541-A:11
• RSA 541-A:12
• RSA 541-A:14
• RSA 541-A:14-a
• RSA 541-A:15
• RSA 541-A:16
• RSA 541-A:17
• RSA 541-A:18
• RSA 541-A:19
• RSA 541-A:19-a
• RSA 541-A:19-b
• RSA 541-A:19-c
• RSA 541-A:19-d
• RSA 541-A:20-a
• RSA 541-A:23
• RSA 541-A:40
• RSA 541-A:21
• RSA 541-A:13

Related Bills

• HB 1261 (2026): relative to the administrative procedure act.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 3
• SJ 2
• HJ 5, page 124
• HC 18, page 8
• HJ 12, page 10
• SJ 12
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 45
• This page’s data as JSON