HB 601 · 2025 · House · Judiciary Committee
Lawsuits for environmental misstatements
AI-generatedrelative 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- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- 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.
In the bill's words
Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site
“It is the intent of the legislature that in any action or prosecution under this chapter, the courts may be guided by the interpretation and construction given Section 5(a)(1) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45(a)(1)), by the Federal Trade Commission and the federal courts.”
“"Amount in controversy" means the damages claimed or relief demanded by the injured party or parties in a lawsuit.”
“Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the requirements of this chapter shall be enforced exclusively through the civil actions described in this chapter.”
“Insurers shall have the right to bring a subrogation action against responsible parties for recovery of payments made to harmed parties under a contract of insurance regardless of whether the insured has been made whole.”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
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.”
“We deserve to know what kind of products are being used without deception like greenwashing”
“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?”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Votes
yeanay- Mar 10, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate18–0Overall100% yea
- Mar 26, 2025HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted
Hearings and debates
- Feb 5, 2025Public hearingHouse Judiciary5:19:17–5:21:282m 11slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
- Mar 10, 2025Public hearingHouse Judiciary1:23:36–1:29:255m 49slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
- Mar 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote
Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.
Legislative history
- Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Judiciary HJ 3 P. 18
- Feb 12, 2025House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 02/12/2025 02:30 pm LOB 206-208
- Feb 5, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/05/2025 02:30 pm LOB 206-208
- Mar 7, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 03/07/2025 10:00 am LOB 206-208
- Mar 10, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/10/2025 01:00 pm LOB 206-208
- Mar 10, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/10/2025 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 17 P. 21
- 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.