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SB 58 · 2025 · Senate · Judiciary Committee

Venue for fatal drug distribution cases

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to venue in criminal prosecutions of distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting.

Broadens criminal venue for prosecuting distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting to include either the jurisdiction where the death occurred or where the drug was manufactured, sold, or dispensed.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 3, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill broadens criminal venue to allow for prosecution of the crime of distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting in the jurisdiction where either the death occurred or where the manufacturing, selling, or dispensing took place.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“A prosecution for an offense under paragraph IX of this section may be commenced in the jurisdiction where either the death occurred or the manufacturing, selling, or dispensing took place.”
Section 149:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Howard PearlRPrimeChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. David RochefortRChair· Health and Human Services
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Also: Sen. Tara ReardonD, Sen. David WattersD, Rep. Brian SeaworthR, Rep. Clayton WoodR, Rep. Cyril AuresR

Public testimony

7 signed in online

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 4, 2025Public hearingSenate Judiciary3:13–5:132mlocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0377s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0377s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-0377s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 23, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety31:33–37:556m 22slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1722h — roll call; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • May 8, 2025Floor debateHouse floor53:25–54:331m 8slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1722h — adopted, division 212-150; Amendment # 2025-1722h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-1721h — failed, division 164-198
  • May 15, 2025Floor debateSenate floor1:00:58–1:01:3335slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Gannon Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 12, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

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. Feb 4, 2025SenHearing: 02/04/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 8
  3. Mar 6, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0377s, 03/06/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
  4. Mar 6, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-0377s, AA, VV; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
  5. Mar 6, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0377s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
  6. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 11 P. 110
  7. Apr 23, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/23/2025 10:30 am LOB 202-204
  8. Apr 23, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 04/23/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  9. Apr 25, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 04/25/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  10. Apr 23, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1722h 04/23/2025 (Vote 10-6; RC) HC 23 P. 11
  11. Apr 30, 2025HouseMinority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1721h (NT)
  12. May 8, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-1722h: AA VV 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 15
  13. May 8, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-1721h: AF DV 164-198 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 15
  14. May 8, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1722h: MA DV 212-150 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 15
  15. May 15, 2025SenSen. Gannon Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  16. Jun 12, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 26
  17. Jun 12, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/12/2025); SJ 17
  18. Jul 1, 2025SenSigned by the Governor on 07/01/2025; Chapter 0149; Effective 07/01/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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