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HB 276 · 2025 · House · Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee

Tavern license without food sales

AI-generated

(New Title) establishing a liquor license where beverages, wine, and liquor can be sold without food.

Establishes a tavern license allowing the sale of beverages, wine, and liquor without a requirement to also sell food.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 a tavern license allowing the sale of beverages, wine, and liquor without the sale of food.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“The commission may issue a tavern license in any town which has voted to accept the provisions of RSA 663:5, I(b), (c), and (d).”
RSA 178:22-a
“Any town or city may allow the operation of tavern licenses under RSA 178:21-a according to the provisions of this subdivision, in the following manner:”
RSA 178:22-b
“The license issued shall entitle the licensee to serve beverages or specialty beverages by the glass, by the bottle with cap removed, or in any other suitable container, wines by the glass, by the bottle with the cork or cap removed or in any other suitable container, or liquor by the glass or other suitable container, as defined in rules adopted by the commission under RSA 541-A.”
RSA 178:22-a
“Except as provided in this paragraph, no beverages, specialty beverages, or liquor shall be consumed in the licensed areas except those that are sold by the licensee.”
RSA 178:22-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Wayne HemingwayRPrime

Public testimony

2 signed in online

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 19, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1033h (NT)14–1
    Overall
    93% yea
  • Mar 26, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-1033hadopted
  • Mar 26, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1033hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 15, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass6–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 15, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Innis Moved Laid on Tableadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 14, 2025Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamPublic Hearing
  • Jan 22, 2025Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Jan 30, 2025Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full stream==RECESSED== Executive Session
  • Feb 18, 2025Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Mar 12, 2025Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Mar 18, 2025Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Mar 19, 2025Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs8:01–18:4210m 41slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1033h (NT); Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1033h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-1033h (NT) — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 29, 2025Public hearingSenate Commerce1:14:00–1:28:1514m 15slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 15, 2025Floor debateSenate floor3:54:46–3:56:421m 56slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Pending Motion Ought to Pass; HB 276 was Removed from the Consent Calendar

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 Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 2 P. 13
  2. Jan 14, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2025 02:00 pm LOB 307
  3. Jan 22, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 01/22/2025 10:00 am LOB 302-304
  4. Jan 30, 2025House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 01/30/2025 11:00 am LOB 302-304
  5. Feb 18, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/18/2025 11:00 am LOB 104
  6. Mar 12, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 03/12/2025 01:15 pm LOB 302-304
  7. Mar 18, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 03/18/2025 10:00 am LOB 302-304
  8. Mar 19, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/19/2025 10:00 am LOB 302-304
  9. Mar 19, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1033h (NT) 03/19/2025 (Vote 14-1; CC) HC 17 P. 7
  10. Mar 26, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-1033h (NT): AA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 2
  11. Mar 26, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1033h: MA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 2
  12. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 10
  13. Apr 29, 2025SenHearing: 04/29/2025, Room 100, SH, 10:30 am; SC 19
  14. May 15, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/15/2025; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 21
  15. May 15, 2025SenHB 276 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  16. May 15, 2025SenSen. Innis Moved Laid on Table, MA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  17. May 15, 2025SenPending Motion Ought to Pass; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  18. Oct 31, 2025SenInexpedient to Legislate, Senate Rule 3-23, 10/31/2025; SJ 1

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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