HB 1206 · 2026 · House · Children and Family Law Committee
Family court equity jurisdiction clarified
AI-generatedclarifying the equity jurisdiction of the judicial branch family division.
Clarifies the equity jurisdiction of the circuit court's family division within the judicial branch.AI-generated
Status
Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · May 5, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✓House
- ✕Senate
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill clarifies the equity jurisdiction of the judicial branch family division (now the circuit court, family division).
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
“The judicial branch family division shall have the powers of a court of equity in cases where subject matter jurisdiction lies with the judicial branch family division and where no other special provision has been made by law.”
“Such suits may be heard by any justice of the judicial branch family division at any time, but nothing contained in this section shall be construed as limiting the power of the judicial branch family division to have issues of fact framed and tried by a jury, according to the rules in equity, or the course of such proceedings at common law.”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Rep. JD BernardyRClerk· Science, Technology and Energy
- Rep. Lisa PostRClerk· Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Public testimony
9 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony
67% support33% oppose0% neutral
In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“RE: HB 1206 — Relative to the Equity Jurisdiction of the Judicial Branch Family Division Position: SUPPORT My name is Cassandra Knapp, and I am writing in support of HB 1206 based on my family’s direct experience navigating the New Hampshire family court system over the past several years.…”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Votes
yeanay- Mar 2, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass14–0Overall100% yea
- Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
- May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate5–0Overall100% yea
- May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted
Hearings and debates
- Feb 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law33:20–34:291m 9slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
- Mar 2, 2026Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law20:13–25:285m 15slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Executive Session
- Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
- Apr 14, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary17:00–40:1223m 12slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
- May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; Inexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote
Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.
Legislative history
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Children and Family Law HJ 1 P. 10
- Feb 17, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/17/2026 10:30 am GP 230
- Mar 2, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/02/2026 10:00 am GP 230
- Mar 2, 2026House: Ought to Pass 03/02/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 10 P. 4
- Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 2
- Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
- Apr 14, 2026SenHearing: 04/14/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:15 pm; SC 13
- May 7, 2026Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; 05/07/2026; SC 17
- May 7, 2026SenInexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.