SB 625-FN (2026): establishing a committee to study options for family members of intentional homicide victims where the department of justice does not file charges in a case, repealing the refugee resettlement program in the department of health and human services, and prohibiting expenditure of state funds on refugee resettlement.

SB 625-FN (2026)

establishing a committee to study options for family members of intentional homicide victims where the department of justice does not file charges in a case, repealing the refugee resettlement program in the department of health and human services, and prohibiting expenditure of state funds on refugee resettlement.

• Status: Died: conferees could not agree
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Study Committees and Commissions

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 20, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate study it after the session ends, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The bill was taken off the consent calendar on February 19, 2026. On February 19, 2026 the Senate adopted “Special Order to the Next Session, Without Objection”. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate study it after the session ends. On March 5, 2026 the Senate adopted “Special Order to the end of the calendar, Without Objection”. On March 5, 2026 the Senate failed “Refer to Interim Study” on a voice vote. On March 5, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 7–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1216s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1216s) 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 Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 8, 2026, with 27 people signed in online: 27 in support. The committee met in executive session on April 14, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 13–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On April 23, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. On April 23, 2026 the bill was referred to the Finance committee. The committee held a work session on May 4, 2026. The committee met in executive session on May 5, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 23–0, to recommend that the House kill it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On May 14, 2026 the House rejected a motion to kill it on a roll call 146–150. A floor amendment (2026-1955h), offered by Rep. Jason Osborne, was adopted on a roll call 157–138 on May 14, 2026, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2026-1956h), offered by Rep. Jason Osborne, was adopted on a roll call 155–140 on May 14, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 14, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 156–139. On May 14, 2026 the Senate voted to reject the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Bill Gannon. On May 21, 2026 the House adopted “House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC” on a division vote 337–12, on a motion by Rep. Terry Roy.

Sponsors

• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Charles Foote (R - Rock 13)
• Rep. Richard Tripp (R - Rock 13)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 20, 2026, 1:10 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• February 19, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• March 5, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• March 26, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• April 8, 2026, 11:30 AM: public hearing, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, GP 159
• April 14, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, GP 230
• April 23, 2026: consent calendar, House
• May 4, 2026, 10:00 AM: work session, House Finance, GP 230
• May 5, 2026, 10:30 AM: executive session, House Finance, GP 230
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, House
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, House
• May 27, 2026, 10:30 AM: committee of conference, GP 153

Votes

• March 5, 2026, Senate: Refer to Interim Study — voice vote, failed
• March 5, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• March 26, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1216s — voice vote, passed
• April 23, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: Inexpedient to Legislate — yeas 146, nays 150, failed
• May 14, 2026, House: Adopt Floor Amendment — yeas 157, nays 138, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: Adopt Floor Amendment — yeas 155, nays 140, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 156, nays 139, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C — voice vote, passed
• May 21, 2026, House: House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC — yeas 337, nays 12, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 141-C:20-a
• RSA 161:2

Related Bills

• HB 1706-FN (2026): repealing the refugee resettlement program in the department of health and human services and prohibiting expenditure of state funds on refugee resettlement.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 2
• SC 6
• SJ 4
• SC 8
• SJ 5
• SC 11
• SJ 7
• HJ 9, page 55
• HJ 11, pages 7 and 15
• HC 19, page 14
• HJ 13, pages 2, 135, 137, 139 and 141
• SJ 13
• HJ 14, pages 3 and 35
• House Calendar 16, 2026, committee report
• This page’s data as JSON