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HB 188 · 2025 · House · Judiciary Committee

Penalties for contempt of legislature

AI-generated

relative to contempt of the general court.

Establishes criminal penalties and civil remedies for contempt of the general court.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · November 3, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes criminal penalties and civil remedies for contempt of the general court.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“A prosecution under this paragraph may be initiated only by the department of justice and shall be brought exclusively in the superior court for Merrimack county.”
RSA 642:11
“Upon the failure of such person to demonstrate valid legal justification for failing to comply, the court shall order the person to comply with the subpoena within a reasonable time as determined by the court.”
RSA 642:11
“If the person fails to comply with said order, the court may find the person in contempt of court and may impose such civil sanctions, including fines, incarceration, or other measures, as it determines are reasonably necessary to compel compliance, provided that any period of incarceration shall terminate immediately upon the person’s compliance with the subpoena.”
RSA 642:11
“Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the ability of either house of the general court to pursue any other remedies to enforce compliance with a subpoena or to punish non-compliance as may lie within its inherent constitutional power.”
RSA 642:11

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Sherman PackardRPrimeSpeaker of the House
  • Rep. Keith AmmonRMajority Floor Leader
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
  • Rep. Steven SmithRVice Chair· Rules
  • Rep. James SpillaneRChair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Gregory HillRChair· Legislative Administration
  • Rep. Bob LynnRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip

Also: Rep. Jose CambrilsR, Rep. Maureen MooneyR

Public testimony

87 signed in online · 12 wrote testimony

3% support97% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This law provides criminal penalties with few guard rails and protections and allows for committee overreach”
— Maura McManus, Somersworthopposes
“My opposition was sent via email to the Members of the House Education Policy and Administration Committee.”
— Marie Nardino, Andoveropposes
“No guard rails or protections from committee overreach. I oppose!”
— Kacie Petrin Ellis, Brooklineopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 12, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 26, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 15, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Gannon Moved Laid on Tableadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Mar 5, 2025Public hearingHouse Judiciary1:43:48–1:47:053m 17slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 12, 2025Public hearingHouse Judiciary4:31:52–4:35:544m 2slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 29, 2025Public hearingSenate Judiciary29:58–36:346m 36slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateSenate floor8:14:51–8:15:581m 7slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Pending Motion Ought to Pass; Special Order to — adopted

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Judiciary HJ 2 P. 9
  2. Mar 5, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 03/05/2025 09:30 am LOB 206-208
  3. Mar 12, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/12/2025 11:00 am LOB 206-208
  4. Mar 12, 2025House: Ought to Pass 03/12/2025 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 17 P. 20
  5. Mar 26, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 36
  6. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 10
  7. Apr 29, 2025SenHearing: 04/29/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:10 pm; SC 19
  8. May 15, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/15/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 21
  9. Jun 5, 2025SenSpecial Order to 06/05/2025, Without Objection, MA; 05/15/2025 SJ 13
  10. Jun 5, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 06/05/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 24
  11. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Gannon Moved Laid on Table, MA, VV; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  12. Jun 5, 2025SenPending Motion Ought to Pass; 06/05/2025; SC 25
  13. Jun 5, 2025SenWithout Objection, the Clerk is authorized to make technical and administrative corrections which are necessary to reflect the intent of the Senate, MA; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  14. Oct 31, 2025SenInexpedient to Legislate, Senate Rule 3-23, 10/31/2025; SJ 1

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.