SB 620-FN (2026): relative to refusal of consent to testing to determine alcohol concentration and penalties for aggravated driving while intoxicated.

SB 620-FN (2026)

relative to refusal of consent to testing to determine alcohol concentration and penalties for aggravated driving while intoxicated.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections
• Chapter law: 26

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 15, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0130s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0130s) 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 Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 18, 2026, with 18 people signed in online: 11 in support and 7 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 20, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 12–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1229h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1229h) was adopted on a voice vote on April 9, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On April 9, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 259–94. On April 16, 2026 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Bill Gannon. The bill was enrolled on April 16, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on April 20, 2026, making it Chapter 26 of the session laws. It takes effect January 1, 2027.

Sponsors

• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. JD Bernardy (R - Rock 36)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Rep. Mark Pearson (R - Rock 34)
• Rep. Lilli Walsh (R - Rock 15)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 15, 2026, 1:30 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• January 29, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 18, 2026, 2:00 PM: public hearing, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, GP 159
• March 20, 2026, 2:00 PM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, GP 159
• April 9, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 16, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• January 29, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0130s — voice vote, passed
• April 9, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 259, nays 94, passed
• April 16, 2026, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 265-A:14
• RSA 265-A:18

Related Bills

• SB 418-FN (2024): relative to refusal of consent to testing to determine alcohol concentration and penalties for aggravated driving while intoxicated.
• SB 418-FN (2024): relative to refusal of consent to testing to determine alcohol concentration and penalties for aggravated driving while intoxicated.
• HB 466-FN (2025): relative to refusal of consent to testing to determine alcohol concentration and penalties for aggravated driving while intoxicated.
• SB 54-FN (2025): relative to refusal of consent to testing to determine alcohol concentration and penalties for aggravated driving while intoxicated.
• HB 560 (2025): relative to parental access to a minor child's medical records, relative to refusal of consent to testing to determine alcohol concentration and penalties for aggravated driving while intoxicated, defining pre-sequestration timber tax revenue, establishing a moratorium on carbon sequestration and establishing a commission to study the effects of carbon sequestration in New Hampshire forests upon state and local tax revenue, effective forest management, and the health of New Hampshire’s logging industry.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 3
• SJ 2
• HJ 5, page 127
• HJ 10, pages 11, 18 and 28
• SJ 9
• House Calendar 14, 2026, committee report