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HB 1767 · 2026 · House · Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Committee

Unemployment benefit duration changes

AI-generated

relative to unemployment compensation eligibility and weekly benefit amounts.

Sets the default maximum duration of unemployment benefits at 20 weeks, with an automatic increase to 26 weeks during periods of elevated claims, and requires monitoring and public reporting of eligibility status.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · March 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill sets the default maximum duration of unemployment benefits at 20 weeks, with an automatic increase to 26 weeks during periods of elevated statewide claims, and requires the department of employment security to monitor filings and publicly update eligibility status.

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 maximum number of weeks of unemployment compensation benefits for which an individual may be eligible in a benefit year shall be 20.”
RSA 282-A:25
“If, for any 3 consecutive weeks, the number of weekly unemployment claims filed statewide exceeds 4,000 per week, the maximum number of weeks in paragraph I shall increase to 26 beginning with the following week.”
RSA 282-A:25
“If, for any 3 consecutive weeks thereafter, the number of weekly unemployment claims becomes less than or equal to 4,000 per week, the maximum number of weeks shall revert to 20 beginning with the following week.”
RSA 282-A:25
“The department of employment security shall monitor weekly filings, notify the public of any changes to the maximum number of eligible benefit weeks, and update all public notices, informational materials, and online systems accordingly.”
RSA 282-A:25

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Lino AvellaniRPrimeVice Chair· Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
  • Rep. Brian LabrieRClerk· Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
  • Rep. Mike DragoRMajority Whip

Public testimony

8 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

13% support88% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Opposition Testimony on HB 1767: Unemployment Benefit Eligibility I stand in firm opposition to HB 1767, a bill that presents a troubling restructuring of unemployment compensation in New Hampshire.…”
— Georgina Lambert, Belmontopposes

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: Refer for Interim Study19–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteRefer for Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services5:27:24–5:28:551m 31slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 22, 2026Public hearingHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services1:51:57–1:53:071m 10slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session
  • Jan 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative ServicesWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Feb 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative ServicesWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Feb 10, 2026Public hearingHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services32:32–35:132m 41slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study; Executive Session
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamRefer for Interim Study — 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 Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services HJ 1 P. 35
  2. Jan 13, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/13/2026 02:45 pm GP 159
  3. Jan 20, 2026House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 01/20/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  4. Jan 22, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 01/22/2026 11:00 am GP 228
  5. Jan 29, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 01/29/2026 11:00 am GP 153
  6. Feb 4, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/04/2026 11:00 am GP 153
  7. Feb 10, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/10/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  8. Feb 10, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study 02/10/2026 (Vote 19-0; CC) HC 9 P. 20
  9. Mar 5, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 26

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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