HB 1698 · 2026 · House · Transportation Committee

Optional electronic ID credentials

relative to electronic credentials.

Clarifies that the statute authorizing the division of motor vehicles to establish electronic credentials does not grant authority to compel a person to create, maintain, or display one, nor require any business to accept one.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 24, 2026

✓Introduced
✓House
✓Senate
✓Governor
✓Law

Analysis

This bill clarifies that the statute authorizing the division of motor vehicles to establish electronic credentials does not grant the authority to compel a person to create, maintain, or display an electronic credential, nor to require any business to accept them.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a person to obtain an electronic credential, and no person shall be compelled to create, maintain, or display an electronic credential.”

Section 178:1

“Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require any business to accept an electronic credential.”

Section 178:2

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Public testimony

6 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

83% support17% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Electronic credentials improve efficiency but must be secure and accessible to all residents.”

— Hannah Meiselman, Manchestersupports

“I believe they should stop this now. We need to protect all the animals. Thank you so much, Tammy”

— Tammy Green, South Berwicksupports

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 10, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass15–0
Overall
100% yea
Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–0
Overall
100% yea
May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Transportation1:06:20–1:07:291m 9slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
Feb 10, 2026Public hearingHouse Transportation2:05:08–2:09:354m 27slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Executive Session
Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
Apr 21, 2026Public hearingSenate Transportation1:16:33–1:24:598m 26slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

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 Transportation HJ 1 P. 32
Feb 3, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/03/2026 10:40 am GP 234
Feb 10, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/10/2026 10:00 am GP 234
Feb 10, 2026House: Ought to Pass 02/10/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 7 P. 22
Feb 19, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 36
Feb 19, 2026SenIntroduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 5
Apr 21, 2026SenHearing: 04/21/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 15
May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/07/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 17
May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
Jun 19, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 06/19/2026; Chapter 178; eff. 08/18/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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