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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.

Official record

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

Hearings

  • 2025-03-059:30 amHouse JudiciaryLOB 206-208Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-03-1211:00 amHouse JudiciaryLOB 206-208Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-04-291:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing

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.