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HB 1168 · 2026 · House · Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Committee

More time to contest wage claims

AI-generated

relative to employer documentation requirements.

Extends from 10 to 20 days the time an employer has to file objections to a wage claim after receiving notice.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill extends the time an employer has to file objections to a wage claim from 10 days to 20 days after receiving notice of the claim.

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 wage claim may be filed by an employee or by the department on its own motion no later than 36 months from the date the wages were due.”
Section 50:1
“The commissioner shall notify the employer by serving upon the employer a copy of such claim and an order to file with the commissioner within [10] 20 days from the receipt of such notice any objections to such claim specifying the grounds therefor.”
Section 50:1
“If objection is not made within [10] 20 days, the commissioner may order that payment be made in accordance with the claim.”
Section 50:1
“If requested, a hearing shall be afforded at which time any party may appear, with counsel if desired, and present evidence and cross-examine opposing witnesses.”
Section 50:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Brian LabrieRPrimeClerk· Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law
  • Rep. Mike DragoRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore

Also: Rep. Henry GiassonR, Rep. Michael GrangerR, Rep. Mark WardenR, Sen. Tim McGoughR

Public testimony

7 signed in online

14% support86% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services3:46:48–3:49:523m 4slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services15:18–16:271m 9slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Executive Session
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floor5:04:29–5:12:057m 36slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, division 175-162
  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingSenate Commerce1:13:59–1:19:265m 27slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0786s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0786s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0786s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:01:12–1:02:281m 16slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-0786s (Rep. Creighton) — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor 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 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services HJ 1 P. 9
  2. Jan 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/20/2026 01:45 pm GP 159
  3. Jan 27, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/27/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  4. Jan 27, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 01/27/2026 (Vote 11-9; RC) HC 5 P. 25
  5. Jan 28, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Feb 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 175-162 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 54
  7. Feb 5, 2026SenIntroduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 4
  8. Feb 17, 2026SenHearing: 02/17/2026, Room 100, SH, 10:30 am; SC 6
  9. Mar 5, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0786s, 03/05/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 8
  10. Mar 5, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0786s, AA, VV; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  11. Mar 5, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0786s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  12. Apr 9, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-0786s (Rep. Creighton): MA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 8
  13. Apr 23, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 04/23/2026); SJ 11
  14. Apr 23, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 82
  15. May 8, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/08/2026; Chapter 50; eff. 07/07/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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