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HB 1238 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Penalties for disobeying police officers

AI-generated

relative to the penalties for the offense of disobeying an officer.

Amends the penalties for the offense of disobeying an officer.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill amends the penalties for the offense of disobeying an officer. This bill is a request of the department of safety.

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

“Any person who violates any provision of paragraph I of this section may have his or her license or privilege to drive and any registrations issued in his or her name suspended.”
Section 1
“Any person who violates the provisions of subparagraphs I (a), (b), (d), (e), or (f) of this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.”
Section 1
“(b) Any person who violates the provisions of subparagraph I(c) shall be guilty of a class B felony [A misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than $500].”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Terry RoyRPrimeChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Dennis MannionRVice Chair· Judiciary
  • Rep. Jennifer RhodesRVice Chair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Sen. Daryl AbbasRPresident Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary

Also: Rep. Ricky DevoidR, Rep. Richard LascellesR, Rep. Kathleen PaquetteR, Rep. Douglas TrottierR

Public testimony

6 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

0% support100% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The march to make violations into felonies continues, as legislators do not seem to have enough imprisoned population. Hey, why not ruin any chance for a person to recover, get a job, vote, find future happiness. Lets just screw them permanently for the rest of their lives.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes
“Broad penalties can criminalize dissent or nonviolent noncompliance; this expands discretionary policing.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchesteropposes

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
  • Feb 13, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass9–4
    Overall
    69% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseDivisionOught to PassFailed155–194
    Overall
    44% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamPublic Hearing
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floor51:28–1:01:5210m 24slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — failed, division 155-194; Inexpedient to Legislate — 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 Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 11
  2. Jan 29, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/29/2026 01:30 pm GP 159
  3. Feb 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/13/2026 01:30 pm GP 159
  4. Feb 13, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 02/13/2026 (Vote 9-4; RC) HC 9 P. 31
  5. Feb 24, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MF DV 155-194 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 47
  7. Mar 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 47

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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