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HB 1072 · 2026 · House · Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Committee

Advance notice for labor inspections

AI-generated

relative to employer notice of department of labor investigations.

Requires the labor commissioner to provide at least 30 days' written notice before conducting inspections or document and interview demands, except with attorney general approval in limited circumstances such as a recent violation, imminent safety risk, or risk of evidence destruction.AI-generated

Status

Vetoed by the governor — the override vote has not been held yet · June 22, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Governor's veto message

“While this bill is the product of thoughtful conversations and important considerations, it unnecessarily restricts the Department of Labor's critical authority to swiftly respond to emergent situations where employers have failed to pay wages to their employees. New Hampshire families depend on timely paychecks, and we cannot delay the Department's ability to react in those circumstances.”
— Gov. Kelly Ayotte · Jun 12, 2026 · excerpt
Governor's press release

A passage from the Governor's veto message, quoted verbatim. The full message enters the record on veto day.

Analysis

This bill: I. Requires the labor commissioner to give at least 30 days’ written notice before any visit or inspection, including the purpose, complaint status, and alleged violation. II. Requires at least 30 days for establishments to respond to document or interview demands, regardless of complaint status. III. Allows shorter notice only with attorney general approval and only if: (a) The establishment violated labor laws within the past 36 months. (b) There is imminent risk to health or safety. (c) Notice would likely lead to evidence destruction or interference.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as passed by both chambers.

“The commissioner shall provide notice of a visit or inspection to the owner of an establishment no less than 30 days prior to the visit. The notice shall state the specific lawful purpose of the visit, identify whether the visit or inspection is related to a complaint, and describe any alleged violation.”
RSA 273:9, I

Requires 30 days' advance written notice and disclosure of the purpose and any alleged violation before a labor inspection.AI-generated

“The commissioner shall allow an establishment that is subject to a request or demand for documents, written responses, or interviews, regardless of whether the request is based on a complaint, no less than 30 days from the date of the demand or response, to respond to such a request or demand.”
RSA 273:9, II

Gives establishments at least 30 days to respond to document or interview demands.AI-generated

“The establishment was found to be in violation by the commissioner in the previous 36 months.”
RSA 273:9, III(a)

Lists a prior violation within 36 months as one of the grounds allowing shorter notice.AI-generated

“The commissioner believes, based on substantial evidence, that a specific alleged violation poses an imminent risk to the health or safety of employees, consumers, or the public.”
RSA 273:9, III(b)

Allows shorter notice where an alleged violation poses an imminent health or safety risk.AI-generated

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Brian LabrieRPrimeClerk· Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
  • Rep. James CreightonRChair· Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
  • Rep. Mike DragoRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore

Also: Rep. Henry GiassonR, Rep. Michael GrangerR, Rep. Mark WardenR

Public testimony

26 signed in online · 7 wrote testimony

8% support92% oppose0% neutral

ForRemoves barriers to information

AgainstAdvance notice lets employers conceal violations

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Collective bargaining is at the heart of what makes this nation and this state great. Employees, and especially the middle class has for too long suffered at the expense of corporations and agencies.…”
— Sara Matatall, Goffstownopposes
“Requiring long advance notice for labor investigations could hinder enforcement of workplace protections and allow unsafe or unlawful conditions to persist; worker safety and rights should not be compromised for employer convenience.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Machesteropposes
“I am a retired Laconia Firefighter and understand the importance of collective bargaining. Having dealt with union contracts for 28 years I am against this bill .”
— Steven Ober, Franklinopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services3:45:26–4:41:3756m 11s
  • Feb 3, 2026Executive sessionHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services29:01–55:2526m 24s
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:05:37–1:10:585m 21sTimestamp located by Whisper transcription (this session video has no YouTube captions).
  • Apr 14, 2026Public hearingSenate Commerce41:26–58:5017m 24s

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0534h11–9
    Overall
    55% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0534hadopted
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseDivisionOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0534hAdopted181–155
    Overall
    54% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Apr 23, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 23, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services HJ 1 P. 5
  2. Jan 27, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/27/2026 01:45 pm GP 159
  3. Feb 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/03/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  4. Feb 3, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0534h 02/03/2026 (Vote 11-9; RC) HC 10 P. 60
  5. Feb 9, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0534h: AA VV 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 17
  7. Mar 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0534h: MA DV 181-155 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 17
  8. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 7
  9. Apr 14, 2026SenHearing: 04/14/2026, Room 100, SH, 10:10 am; SC 13
  10. Apr 23, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/23/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 15
  11. Apr 23, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
  12. May 21, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/21/2026); SJ 14
  13. May 21, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 34
  14. Jun 12, 2026HouseVetoed by Governor Ayotte 06/12/2026

Coverage

  • Ayotte Vetoes Three Bills, Signs 18 OthersInDepthNH · Jun 12, 2026

    Reports Ayotte vetoed HB 1072 on employer notice of Department of Labor investigations, saying it unnecessarily restricts the department's authority to respond swiftly when employers fail to pay wages.AI-generated

  • HB 1072 (2026) | NH Legislation | Citizens CountCitizens Count

    Bill-tracking page describing HB 1072 as requiring the labor commissioner to give at least 30 days' written notice and state the purpose before inspecting a business, and notes it was vetoed by the governor.AI-generated

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

Documents (PDF)

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