SB 569 (2026): relative to the qualifications for hearings officers within the department of labor.

SB 569 (2026)

relative to the qualifications for hearings officers within the department of labor.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Executive Departments and Administration
• Senate committee: Executive Departments and Administration
• Subject: Employment
• Chapter law: 266

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 21, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, 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 Executive Departments and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 18, 2026, with 2 people signed in online: 1 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on April 29, 2026 and May 6, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 16–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1869h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1869h) was adopted on a voice vote on May 14, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 14, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes 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. The governor signed it on July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 266 of the session laws. It took effect on August 31, 2026.

Sponsors

• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19) (prime sponsor)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 21, 2026, 9:10 AM: hearing, Senate Executive Departments and Administration, SH 103
• January 29, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 18, 2026, 1:15 PM: 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 6, 2026, 11:00 AM: executive session, House Executive Departments and Administration, GP 231
• May 14, 2026: consent calendar, House
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• January 29, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1869h — voice vote, passed
• May 21, 2026, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 281-A:42-b

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 2
• SC 3
• SJ 2
• HJ 5, page 127
• HC 19, page 13
• HJ 13, page 24
• SJ 13
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 45