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HB 1717 · 2026 · House · Children and Family Law Committee

Restructuring family division court jurisdiction

AI-generated

relative to the jurisdiction of the circuit court, family division.

Redefines the jurisdiction of the circuit court family division, replaces marital masters with administrative law judges, and assigns additional duties to the administrative judge of the circuit court.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill redefines the jurisdiction of the judicial branch family division, now known as the circuit court, family division, including replacing marital masters with administrative law judges and providing additional duties to the administrative judge of the circuit court.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreRPrime
  • Rep. JD BernardyRClerk· Science, Technology and Energy
  • Rep. Shane SiroisRClerk· Legislative Administration

Also: Rep. Barbara ComtoisR, Rep. Susan DeRoyR, Rep. Diane KelleyR, Rep. Kristine PerezR, Rep. Kelley PotenzaR

Public testimony

11 signed in online · 4 wrote testimony

27% support73% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony in support of HB 1717. I am a father who has been involved in extended family court proceedings affecting my daughter.…”
— Dylan Goodwin, Rochestersupports
“Relative to the Jurisdiction of the Circuit Court, Family Division Children and Family Law Committee January 13, 2026 Chairwoman DeSimone and Members of the Committee, Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony in support of HB 1717. I am a parent and…”
— Cassandra Knapp, Rochestersupports
“I oppose HB1717 because it disrupts current law and existing court system.…”
— Mary Hakken-Phillips, Hanoveropposes
“Opposition Testimony on HB 1177: Defining Remote Work in Labor Law I unequivocally oppose HB 1177, which seeks to redefine remote work within our labor laws.…”
— Georgina Lambert, Belmontopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-1310:30 amHouse Children and Family LawGP 230Public hearing
  • 2026-01-2710:00 amHouse Children and Family LawGP 230Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Children and Family Law HJ 1 P. 32
  2. Jan 13, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/13/2026 01:00 pm GP 230
  3. Jan 27, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/27/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  4. Jan 27, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/27/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 6 P. 3
  5. Feb 12, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 2

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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