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HB 601 · 2025 · House · Judiciary Committee

Lawsuits for environmental misstatements

AI-generated

relative to causes of action against companies that misstate the impacts of their business on the environment.

Creates a private cause of action and criminal penalties against companies that misstate the environmental impacts of their business.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 26, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Creates a private cause of action against companies that misstate the impacts of their business on the environment. II. Creates criminal penalties for companies that misstate the impacts of their business on the environment.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Ellen ReadDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Housing

Rep. Wendy ThomasD, Rep. Tony CaplanD

Public testimony

32 signed in online · 7 wrote testimony

81% support19% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support this, Merrimack had their water poisoned for far too long by companies lying, and now they are getting away with it scott free. Protect the citizens of NH and pass this.”
— Jennifer Suitter, Merrimacksupports
“We deserve to know what kind of products are being used without deception like greenwashing”
— Kelsey Meyer-Rust, Newmarketsupports
“We should be allowed to know if a company is being honest with us, and if they are not, we should be able to take steps to hold them accountable. Aren't you for accountability?”
— Tim Josephson, Canaansupports

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-059:30 amHouse JudiciaryLOB 206-208Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-03-101:00 pmHouse JudiciaryLOB 206-208Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Judiciary HJ 3 P. 18
  2. Feb 12, 2025House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 02/12/2025 02:30 pm LOB 206-208
  3. Feb 5, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/05/2025 02:30 pm LOB 206-208
  4. Mar 7, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 03/07/2025 10:00 am LOB 206-208
  5. Mar 10, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/10/2025 01:00 pm LOB 206-208
  6. Mar 10, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/10/2025 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 17 P. 21
  7. Mar 26, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 38

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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