Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 506 · 2025 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Firearm returns, immigrant licenses, school managers

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to background checks during motions to return firearms and ammunition and relative to invalidating out-of-state driver's licenses issued to undocumented immigrants and relative to requiring schools to engage an owner's project manager for construction of school building aid projects at the time of application.

Establishes a procedure for discretionary background checks before firearms or ammunition are returned in court proceedings, invalidates out-of-state driver's licenses issued to undocumented immigrants, and modifies requirements for owners' project managers on school building aid projects.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · August 11, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Provides a procedure for conducting a discretionary background check prior to the return of firearms and/or ammunition in a court proceeding. II. Invalidates out-of-state driver's licenses issued specifically to undocumented immigrants. III. Modifies the requirements for the use of owners' project managers for projects funded by school building aid.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“A court shall not be required to request, conduct, or receive the results of a background check prior to returning firearm property to its owner.”
RSA 159-D:4
“Should any New Hampshire court require, at its discretion, that a background check be conducted on an individual prior to the return of his or her firearm property, the following conditions shall apply:”
RSA 159-D:4
“Upon receipt of a motion or other request for the return of firearms, whether written or oral, the court shall request a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check with the New Hampshire department of safety within 2 business days.”
RSA 159-D:4
“If the NICS check is inconclusive and the department of safety cannot explicitly demonstrate that the individual is prohibited from possessing a firearm within 10 business days of the court’s request, the department of safety may provide a “proceed” response to the requesting court.”
RSA 159-D:4

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Dennis MannionRPrimeVice Chair· Judiciary
  • Rep. Ted GorskiRVice Chair· Transportation
  • Rep. Terry RoyRChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Also: Rep. Jeffrey TenczarR, Sen. Tim McGoughR

Public testimony

29 signed in online · 7 wrote testimony

38% support62% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Live Free or Die, once again, our State motto. Taking the tools of self-defense that have been unjustly taken from citizens of this State should be returned as soon as possible. Period. No quibbling.”
— Jana Mackay, Orangesupports
“This bill makes whole those who have had property taken by removing an unfair barrier to that restoration. If the police take a firearm, and are now retiring it, that person already had a background check, or owned it lawfully in the first place. Please pass this bill.”
— J Grenier, Nashuasupports
“OTP WITH AMENDMENTS ONLY and more than listed needed OTP Unless (the state website DOES NOT seem to provide a version of the bill with line items) so I cannot provide the line item for this.…”
— Penny Dean, Concordsupports
“If the firearms and ammo are being returned, they probably never should have been taken in the first place. Having an additional barrier to regaining possession of your own property only makes an infringement against property rights and personal defense even worse.…”
— Matthew Tyszka, Newportopposes
“This bill makes no sense. After a court proceeding it is determined that some one can get their property back, but before they do they must jump through an additional, arbitrarily applied hoop to doubly confirm they should get their property back?…”
— Teresa Brooks, Manchesteropposes
“A person's suitability has already been thoroughly reviewed after having been put through the wringer of court proceeding which absconded with his firearm. In this case, NICS is yet another gate, manned by bureaucrats, with a motive to deny to cover-their-ass.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

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
  • Jan 30, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0182h15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 20, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-0182hadopted
  • Feb 20, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0182hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Mar 28, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass24–1
    Overall
    96% yea
  • Apr 10, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 22, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2166s3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2166s3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2025-2166sadopted
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateRoll callSen. Altschiller Floor Amendment # 2025-2650sFailed7–16How they voted
    Overall
    30% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    0–160% yea
    Democrats
    7–0100% yea
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Gannon Floor Amendment # 2025-2685sadopted
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Abbas Floor Amendment # 2025-2591sadopted
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateRoll callOught to Pass with Amendments #2025-2166s, and #2025-2685s and #2025-2591sAdopted16–7How they voted
    Overall
    70% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    16–0100% yea
    Democrats
    0–70% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Jun 5, 2025HouseVoice voteHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2166s 2025-2685s and 2025-2591s and Requests CofC (Rep. Kofalt)adopted
    Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Gannon Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conferenceadopted
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateRoll callConference committee report 2025-2830cAdopted16–8How they voted
    Overall
    67% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    16–0100% yea
    Democrats
    0–80% yea
  • Jun 26, 2025HouseDivisionConference committee report 2025-2830cAdopted197–159
    Overall
    55% yea
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2928eadopted
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 30, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety4:05:05–4:08:383m 33slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0182h; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 20, 2025Floor debateHouse floor9:54–10:2228slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0182h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0182h — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Finance
  • Mar 7, 2025Public hearingHouse Finance - Division II1:58–8:206m 22slocated in the stream transcriptDivision II Work Session
  • Mar 17, 2025Public hearingHouse Finance57:52–59:511m 59slocated in the stream transcriptExecutive Session
  • Apr 10, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 6, 2025Public hearingSenate Judiciary1:28:14–1:31:022m 48slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2166s 2025-2685s and 2025-2591s and Requests CofC (Rep. Kofalt) — adopted, voice vote; Speaker Appoints: Reps. Roy, Ladd, Rhodes, T. Walsh
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateSenate floor8:15:48–8:16:581m 10slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2166s; Ought to Pass with Amendments #2025-2166s, and #2025-2685s and #2025-2591s — adopted, roll call 16-7; Committee Amendment # 2025-2166s — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateSenate floor1:51:39–1:56:575m 18slocated in the stream transcriptConference Committee Report Filed, # 2025-2830c; Conference Committee Report # 2025-2830c — roll call 16-8; Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2928e Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floor5:46:25–5:55:008m 35slocated in the stream transcriptConference Committee Report 2025-2830c: Adopted — division 197-159; Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2928e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 3 P. 13
  2. Jan 30, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/30/2025 02:00 pm LOB 202-204
  3. Jan 30, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/30/2025 10:30 am LOB 202-204
  4. Jan 30, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0182h 01/30/2025 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 12 P. 4
  5. Feb 20, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0182h: AA VV 02/20/2025 HJ 6 P. 4
  6. Feb 20, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0182h: MA VV 02/20/2025 HJ 6 P. 4
  7. Feb 20, 2025HouseReferred to Finance 02/20/2025 HJ 6 P. 4
  8. Mar 7, 2025HouseDivision II Work Session: 03/07/2025 09:00 am LOB 209
  9. Mar 17, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/17/2025 01:15 pm LOB 210-211
  10. Mar 28, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 03/28/2025 (Vote 24-1; RC) HC 19 P. 16
  11. Apr 10, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 04/10/2025 HJ 12 P. 36
  12. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 10
  13. May 6, 2025SenHearing: 05/06/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:40 pm; SC 20
  14. May 22, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2166s, 05/22/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 22
  15. Jun 5, 2025SenSpecial Order to 06/05/2025, Without Objection, MA; 05/22/2025 SJ 14
  16. Jun 5, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2166s, 06/05/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 24
  17. Jun 5, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-2166s, AA, VV; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  18. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Altschiller Floor Amendment # 2025-2650s, RC 7Y-16N, AF; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  19. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Gannon Floor Amendment # 2025-2685s, AA, VV; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  20. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Abbas Floor Amendment # 2025-2591s, AA, VV; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  21. Jun 5, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendments #2025-2166s, and #2025-2685s and #2025-2591s, RC 16Y-7N, MA; OT3rdg; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  22. 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
  23. Jun 5, 2025HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2166s 2025-2685s and 2025-2591s and Requests CofC (Rep. Kofalt): MA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 168
  24. Jun 5, 2025HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Roy, Ladd, Rhodes, T. Walsh 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 168
  25. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Gannon Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  26. Jun 18, 2025HouseConference Committee Meeting: 06/18/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  27. Jun 5, 2025SenPresident Appoints: Senators Gannon, Abbas, Altschiller; (In Recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  28. Jun 18, 2025SenConferee Change; Senator Birdsell Replaces Senator Altschiller; SJ 17
  29. Jun 26, 2025SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2025-2830c; 06/26/2025
  30. Jun 12, 2025HouseRemoved from Consent (Reps. Berch, Meuse, D. Fox, Scherr, Selig, Newell, R. Newman, Harriott-Gathright, N. Murphy, Raymond) 06/12/2025 HJ 18 P. 17
  31. Jun 26, 2025SenSenator Altschiller Challenged the ruling of the chair, 06/26/2025; SJ 17
  32. Jun 26, 2025SenSenator Altschiller withdrew the challenge of the chair, 06/26/2025; SJ 17
  33. Jun 26, 2025SenConference Committee Report # 2025-2830c; RC 16Y-8N, Adopted; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
  34. Jun 26, 2025HouseConference Committee Report 2025-2830c: Adopted, DV 197-159 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 47
  35. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2928e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  36. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2928e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 61
  37. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  38. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 64
  39. Aug 1, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 08/01/2025; Chapter 280; eff. I. Sec 1 eff 01/01/2026 II. Rem eff 09/30/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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