HB 1612 · 2026 · House · Housing Committee
Ban on rent price-fixing software
AI-generatedrelative to the use of price-fixing websites, algorithms, or other software by landlords.
Makes the use of price-fixing software by landlords a violation of the consumer protection act and requires the department of justice to investigate related complaints.AI-generated
Status
Died on the table in the House · February 5, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill makes the use of price-fixing software by landlords a violation of the consumer protection act and requires the department of justice to investigate complaints of the use of price-fixing software by landlords.
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 use of any type of price-fixing software by any landlord shall constitute an unfair method of competition and a deceptive act or practice in violation of this chapter.”
“Any person who suspects that a landlord has engaged, or is engaged in, the use of any type of price-fixing software may file a consumer complaint with the department of justice's consumer protection and antitrust bureau.”
“The consumer protection and antitrust bureau shall investigate complaints of the use of price-fixing software by landlords pursuant to paragraph II.”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Rep. David PaigeDRanking Member· Housing
Also: Rep. Jonah WheelerD, Rep. Karen HegnerD
Public testimony
94 signed in online · 12 wrote testimony
100% support0% oppose0% neutral
In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“I write in support of HB 1612, a measured and necessary step toward strengthening fairness, clarity, and stability in New Hampshire’s tenant–landlord laws.…”
“No to price-fixing. Surely we know that by now. And no to price-fixing algorithms. The housing market should be fair. These algorithms just drive up the cost of housing.”
“People need a decent place to live. Most rental properties are now owned by corporations and do not care about the families who live in their properties. Tenants have rights too.”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Votes
yeanay- Jan 20, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate10–8Overall56% yea
- Feb 5, 2026HouseDivisionLay HB1612 on Table (Rep. Alexander Jr.)Adopted198–147Overall57% yea
Hearings and debates
- Jan 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Housing3:48:24–3:51:032m 39slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Public Hearing; Executive Session
- Feb 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:19:59–4:24:304m 31slocated in the stream transcriptLay HB1612 on Table (Rep. Alexander Jr.) — adopted, division 198-147
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 Housing HJ 1 P. 28
- Jan 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/20/2026 11:30 am GP 231
- Jan 20, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/20/2026 11:30 am GP 231
- Jan 20, 2026HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 01/20/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 5 P. 24
- Jan 27, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
- Feb 5, 2026HouseLay HB1612 on Table (Rep. Alexander Jr.): MA DV 198-147 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 48
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Background reading
Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.
- Just cause eviction policiesExplainer
Local Housing Solutions (NYU Furman Center) — What a good-cause requirement does, what it costs, and where it has been adopted.AI-generated
- “Just cause” eviction lawsAcademic — evidence
Urban Institute — What the research finds about eviction filings where just-cause rules exist.AI-generated
National Low Income Housing Coalition — The tenant-advocacy case for limiting no-fault terminations.AI-generated
- The first four housing reform bills of 2025Free market — NH
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy — The supply-side reading of New Hampshire's housing bills, including limits on corporate buyers.AI-generated
Shelterforce — The construction-effects question that dominates the legislative argument.AI-generated
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.