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HB 1248 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Enhanced penalties for repeat DWI

AI-generated

relative to the penalties for intoxication or under the influence of drug offenses.

Adds certain prior convictions involving court-ordered alcohol or controlled substance education, treatment, or counseling programs as a requisite prior conviction for enhanced DWI penalties.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill adds offenses based on the operation of a motor vehicle for which the defendant was convicted, and as condition of that conviction, was sentenced to an alcohol or controlled substance, education, treatment, or counseling program, within 10 years preceding the date of the second or subsequent offense, as a requisite prior conviction for enhanced DWI penalties.

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 offense based on the operation of a motor vehicle for which the defendant was convicted, and as condition of that conviction, was sentenced to an alcohol or controlled substance, education, treatment, or counseling program, within 10 years preceding the date of the second or subsequent offense, shall be deemed a prior conviction for the purpose of alleging a second or subsequent offense under this paragraph.”
Section 2

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jay MarkellRPrime
  • Rep. Bob LynnRChair· Judiciary
  • Rep. Kimberly RiceRVice Chair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Terry RoyRChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference

Public testimony

3 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

67% support33% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I strongly support HB 1248-FN. This bill ensures that prior convictions for intoxication or drug-related offenses—including those where the sentence included mandated education or treatment—are properly counted when assessing enhanced penalties for repeat offenders.…”
— Meg Cowan, Wilmotsupports

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 Pass7–6
    Overall
    54% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseDivisionOught to PassFailed153–179
    Overall
    46% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseDivisionInexpedient to LegislateAdopted208–131
    Overall
    61% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 22, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety4:01:12–4:01:4432slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:49:27–1:56:066m 39slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — failed, division 153-179; Inexpedient to Legislate — adopted, division 208-131

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. 12
  2. Jan 22, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2026 02:00 pm GP 159
  3. Feb 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/13/2026 02:00 pm GP 159
  4. Feb 13, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 02/13/2026 (Vote 7-6; RC) HC 10 P. 32
  5. Mar 2, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MF DV 153-179 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 78
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA DV 208-131 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 78

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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