SB 492-FN (2026): authorizing the department of military affairs and veterans services to license and lease property in which the department holds a property interest.

SB 492-FN (2026)

authorizing the department of military affairs and veterans services to license and lease property in which the department holds a property interest.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
• Senate committee: Executive Departments and Administration
• Subject: Military & Veterans' Affairs
• Chapter law: 257

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, 3–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0114s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0114s) 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 State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 10, 2026, with one person signed in online in support. The committee met in executive session on April 10, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 13–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1443h), and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1443h) was adopted on a voice vote on April 23, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On April 23, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On April 23, 2026 the bill was referred to the Ways and Means committee. The committee held a work session on May 4, 2026. The committee met in executive session on May 4, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 20–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On May 14, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. On May 21, 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 — and an enrolled bill amendment (2026-2149e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 257 of the session laws. It took effect on August 31, 2026.

Sponsors

• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Rep. Jennifer Mandelbaum (D - Rock 21)
• Rep. Michael Moffett (R - Merr 4)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Sen. Suzanne Prentiss (D - SD5)
• Rep. Skip Rollins (R - Sull 3)
• Rep. Christine Seibert (D - Hills 21)
• Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R - SD18)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 8, 2026, 10:00 AM: hearing, Senate Executive Departments and Administration, SH 103
• January 29, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• April 10, 2026, 11:30 AM: public hearing, House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs, GP 228
• April 10, 2026, 1:00 PM: executive session, House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs, GP 228
• April 23, 2026: floor debate, House
• May 4, 2026, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Ways and Means, GP 159
• May 4, 2026, 11:00 AM: executive session, House Ways and Means, GP 159
• May 14, 2026: consent calendar, House
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• January 29, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0114s — voice vote, passed
• April 23, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1443h — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 21, 2026, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 110-B:28
• RSA 110-B
• RSA 6:12

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 3
• SJ 2
• HJ 5, page 124
• HJ 11, page 75
• HC 19, page 16
• HJ 13, page 26
• SJ 13
• HJ 15, pages 43 and 52
• SJ 14
• House Calendar 16, 2026, committee report