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SB 54 · 2025 · Senate · Judiciary Committee

Tougher penalties for drunk driving

AI-generated

relative to refusal of consent to testing to determine alcohol concentration and penalties for aggravated driving while intoxicated.

Lengthens license suspension periods for refusing a chemical test for alcohol concentration and modifies the criminal penalties, fines, and jail terms for aggravated driving while intoxicated offenses.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill modifies periods of suspension under different circumstances stemming from a refusal of consent to testing to determine alcohol concentration. This bill further modifies the penalties for aggravated driving while intoxicated.

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

“If a person under arrest for any violation or misdemeanor under RSA 265 or RSA 215-A refuses upon the request of a law enforcement officer, authorized agent, or peace officer to submit to physical tests or to a test of blood, urine, or breath designated by the law enforcement officer, authorized agent, or peace officer to as provided in RSA 265-A:4, none shall be given, but:”
Section 1
“In conjunction with a plea of guilty or nolo contendre to an offense resulting in a conviction under RSA 265-A:2 or RSA 265-A:3, the court may suspend up to 180 days of the license suspension imposed pursuant to this section.”
Section 2
“Any person who is convicted of any aggravated DWI offense under RSA 265-A:3, except as provided in subparagraph (c) or (d), shall be:”
Section 3
“Sentenced to a mandatory sentence of not less than 17 consecutive days in the county correctional facility, all of which may be suspended.”
Section 4

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Bill GannonRPrimeChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
  • Rep. Kenneth WeylerRChair· Finance
  • Rep. Michael VoseRChair· Science, Technology and Energy

Also: Sen. Tara ReardonD, Sen. David WattersD, Rep. Lilli WalshR, Rep. Aboul KhanR

Public testimony

1,324 signed in online · 767 wrote testimony

1% support98% oppose1% neutral

ForStructured training can reduce accidents and reach kids without access at home

AgainstAmendment is a non-germane, rushed rider

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Please leave discussions about gun safety remain in the hands of parents. Parents who are NRA members can use the site in whatever way they choose; don’t tread on parents rights.…”
— Joanne Jenks, bowsupports
“This is a great step. Everyone should be able to safely handle a firearm, whether they ever decide to own one or not. This can help decrease accidents at home and in the community.”
— Luke Merluzzi, Wentworthsupports
“I love the idea of gun safety training in school. This is even more relevant than driver safety training, since many kids no longer drive. My only fear is that since the schools can't teach the kids to read, write, think or figure sums, they might well fail at this as well.…”
— tom luther, claremontsupports
“This amendment violates state law. The mandate violates parental rights.”
— David Luneau, Hopkinton · 14,000 constituentsopposes
“Making it impossible for a person to recover financially, employment-wise, and relationship-wise is terrible public policy. Get offenders back into productive citizens as fast as possible instead of penalizing them into permanent state dependents.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes
“Mandatory Firearm safety training is NOT appropriate in public education”
— Ellen Jessop, Tamworthopposes
“I am not opposed to the bill but opposed to the amendment that would require gun safety curriculum. Probably should be a separate bill and allow parents time to ask questions and respond.…”
— kathy Harter, Newmarketneutral
“Is there really an ammendment that would require public school students to learn gun safety? I am absolutely against that. Gun safety is the responsibility of adults, not children. Let the schools concentrate on math and reading.”
— Constantina Marshman, Amherstneutral

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 6, 2025SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass3–1
    Overall
    75% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 9, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1756h (NT)9–6
    Overall
    60% yea
  • Jun 5, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-1756hfailed
  • Jun 5, 2025HouseDivisionLay SB54 on Table (Rep. McFarlane)Adopted256–106
    Overall
    71% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 28, 2025Public hearingSenate Judiciary42:17–47:345m 17slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateSenate floor4:13:51–4:20:456m 54slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 9, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety2:03:26–2:05:161m 50slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 23, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyWatchnamed in a list of bills, not taken up — opens the full stream==RECESSED== Executive Session
  • May 9, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety1:45–4:192m 34slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1756h (NT) — roll call; Public Hearing on non-germane Amendment # 2025-1756h; ==CONTINUED== Executive Session
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateHouse floor3:10:57–3:14:453m 48slocated in the stream transcriptAmendment # 2025-1756h — failed, voice vote; Lay SB54 on Table (Rep. McFarlane) — adopted, division 256-106
  • 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, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 3
  2. Jan 28, 2025SenHearing: 01/28/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 7
  3. Mar 6, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/06/2025, Vote 3-1; SC 11
  4. Mar 6, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
  5. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 11 P. 110
  6. Apr 9, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/09/2025 11:00 am LOB 202-204
  7. Apr 23, 2025House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 04/23/2025 11:00 am LOB 202-204
  8. Apr 25, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 04/25/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  9. May 9, 2025HousePublic Hearing on non-germane Amendment # 2025-1756h: 05/09/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  10. May 9, 2025House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 05/09/2025 11:01 am LOB 202-204
  11. May 9, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1756h (NT) 05/09/2025 (Vote 9-6; RC) HC 27 P. 14
  12. May 15, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  13. Jun 5, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-1756h: AF VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 61
  14. Jun 5, 2025HouseLay SB54 on Table (Rep. McFarlane): MA DV 256-106 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 65
  15. 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.