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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.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

““Occupational regulations” shall include any law, ordinance, regulation, rule, policy, fee, condition, test, permit, administrative practice, or other provision relating in a market, or the opportunity to engage in any occupation or profession.”
RSA 541-A:3-c
““Public service restrictions” shall include any law, ordinance, regulation, rule, policy, fee, condition, test, permit, or other administrative practice, with or without the support of public subsidy and/or user fees.”
RSA 541-A:3-c
“This term shall not encompass the protection of existing businesses or agencies, whether publicly or privately owned, against competition.”
RSA 541-A:3-c
“In adopting any rules under this chapter, all occupational regulations with respect to businesses and professions shall be limited to those demonstrably necessary and carefully tailored to fulfill legitimate public health, safety, or welfare objectives.”
RSA 541-A:3-c

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 18, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate14–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration2:37–4:211m 44slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 18, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration3:12:23–3:15:172m 54slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient 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 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.