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HB 1634 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

State remedies for federal employee violations

AI-generated

establishing state court remedies for violations of state and federal law by federal employees.

Authorizes a state court action against federal employees who violate state or federal law.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 authorizes a state action against federal employees who violate state or federal law.

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

“"Federal employee" means an individual employed or contracted by the federal government, deputized by the federal government, incorporated into a task force with the federal government, or working in active cooperation with the federal government.”
RSA 541-E:1
“Any federal employee who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of the federal government, violates the laws or constitution of this state or the United States, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law for money damages.”
RSA 541-E:2
“In any proceeding in which a plaintiff’s claim prevails, the federal government shall be liable for reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation costs.”
RSA 541-E:3
“All documents related to any action brought pursuant to this chapter, including complaints, judgments, settlements, and consent decrees, shall be subject to RSA 91-A.”
RSA 541-A:4

Official record

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Ellen ReadDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Housing
  • Rep. Tom MannionRAssistant Majority Whip

Also: Rep. Jonah WheelerD, Rep. Daniel Popovici-MullerR, Rep. Aidan AnkarbergI, Rep. Calvin BeaulierR

Public testimony

105 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

98% support2% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Working for federal agencies shouldn’t exclude the state from taking action against wrong and illegal behavior. Ordinarily the federal justice system would oversee, but apparently we have need to bring that back to the states.”
— Arwen Mellor, Rindgesupports
“I support this bill that would establish state court remedies for violations of state and federal law by federal employees. This bill has bipartisan support already.”
— Nancy Miles, Hanoversupports
“I strongly urge you to support HB1634. Federal employees must be held accountable for their actions in New Hampshire. The actions of federal Department of Homeland Security and ICE agents in other states demonstrate the necessity of this law.…”
— Lynn Lippitt, MILFORDsupports

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· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 9, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary1:40:41–1:41:1029slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 13, 2026Public hearingHouse JudiciaryWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Mar 5, 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 Judiciary HJ 1 P. 29
  2. Feb 9, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/09/2026 10:30 am GP 158
  3. Feb 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/13/2026 10:00 am GP 158
  4. Feb 13, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/13/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 9 P. 19
  5. Mar 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 25

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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