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HB 615 · 2025 · House · Judiciary Committee

Drug forfeiture procedure changes

AI-generated

relative to drug forfeiture proceedings.

Modifies the procedures used for forfeiture proceedings involving items used in connection with drug offenses.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · March 13, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill modifies the procedures to be used regarding forfeiture of items used in connection with drug offenses.

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

“Interests in the following property, upon petition of the [attorney general] state, shall be subject to forfeiture to the state and said property interest shall be vested in the state:”
RSA 318-B:17-b
“The claimant of the property shall bear the burden of rebutting this presumption.] (d) Any books, records, ledgers and research material, including formulae, microfilm, tapes and any other data which are used or intended for use in felonious violation of this chapter.”
RSA 318-B:17-b
“The state shall have a lien on any property subject to forfeiture under this section upon seizure thereof.”
RSA 318-B:17-b
“Property may be seized for forfeiture by any law enforcement agency designated by the [department of justice] state, as follows:”
RSA 318-B:17-b

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Dan McGuireRPrimeVice Chair· Finance
  • Rep. Paul BerchDDeputy Ranking Member· Judiciary
  • Rep. Bob LynnRChair· Judiciary

Also: Rep. Daniel Popovici-MullerR

Public testimony

7 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

43% support57% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Existing civil asset forfeiture sharing between federal level and state level equates to legitimized theft.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuasupports
“I strongly oppose this Bill. This Bill gives a pass to certain drug dealers Why? No one should get a pass and NH needs to bring back the death penalty.”
— Gordon Springate, Wiltonopposes

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
  • Mar 3, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate15–3
    Overall
    83% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025HouseDivisionLay HB615 on Table (Rep. Osborne)Adopted195–163
    Overall
    54% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 12, 2025Public hearingHouse Judiciary2:01:03–2:02:261m 23slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 3, 2025Public hearingHouse Judiciary1:23:50–1:43:5520m 5slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 13, 2025Floor debateHouse floor6:14:26–6:19:184m 52slocated in the stream transcriptLay HB615 on Table (Rep. Osborne) — adopted, division 195-163
  • Dec 17, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamDied on Table, Session ended

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 Judiciary HJ 3 P. 19
  2. Feb 12, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/12/2025 10:15 am LOB 206-208
  3. Mar 3, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2025 10:00 am LOB 206-208
  4. Mar 3, 2025House: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/03/2025 (Vote 15-3; RC)
  5. Mar 13, 2025HouseLay HB615 on Table (Rep. Osborne): MA DV 195-163 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 82
  6. Dec 17, 2025HouseDied on Table, Session ended 12/17/2025 HJ 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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