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HB 1340 · 2026 · House · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Limits on occupational licensing regulations

AI-generated

limiting occupational regulations to those demonstrably necessary to achieve public health, safety, or welfare objectives.

Restricts occupational regulations to those demonstrably necessary for public health, safety, or welfare objectives, requires agencies to review rules for compliance, and sets standards for enforcement.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 sets restrictions on the use of occupational regulations, requires all agencies to review all of their rules to ensure compliance, and sets special standards for the enforcement of these restrictions.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jeremy SlottjeRPrimeVice Chair· Executive Departments and Administration

Rep. Donald McFarlaneR

Public testimony

17 signed in online · 4 wrote testimony

59% support29% oppose12% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Yes. But this seems toothless. The catch all limitation for purview over public health, safety, or welfare is too broad for me. I much prefer how engineers self certify via PE, how Microsoft Certifies systems engineers. how the ASCE self regulates auto mechanics.…”
— tom luther, claremontsupports
“I am a licensed in NH and MA and I have been practicing for over 30 years. I am against including the CPA profession in this bill. The licensing is essential to help protect the general public from fraud and to help ensure that CPAs are recognized across state lines.…”
— Kerry Lekas, Londonderryopposes
“Any and all profession/trade offered to an individual and the public needs an oversight "agency" to protect the consumer from fraud and incompetence. Otherwise how do we know who we are hiring is competent? Who reprimands that individual? etc?”
— Bruce Buttrick, Goffstownopposes
“Streamlining regulations can reduce unnecessary barriers, but must not weaken protections for vulnerable workers or the public.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchesterneutral

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-2910:00 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearing
  • 2026-02-1810:00 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 1 P. 16
  2. Jan 29, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/29/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  3. Feb 18, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/18/2026 10:00 am GP231
  4. Feb 18, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2026 10:00 am GP231
  5. Feb 18, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/18/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 10 P. 19
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 42

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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