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HB 1768 · 2026 · House · Resources, Recreation and Development Committee

Gifts and donations to state parks division

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to gifts and donations received by the division of parks and recreation.

Allows the division of parks and recreation to solicit and receive monetary and in-kind donations with limited sponsor recognition, and raises the value threshold of gifts requiring approval from the governor and executive council.AI-generated

Status

Recommended for passage but never voted; died at adjournment · May 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill allows the division of parks and recreation to solicit and receive monetary and in-kind donations and to acknowledge such donations through limited sponsor recognition. The bill also raises the value of individual gifts and donations that may be received by the division of parks and recreation without the approval of the governor or the executive council.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“V-a.(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the department of natural and cultural resources, through the division of parks and recreation, may solicit, receive, and procure monetary or in-kind donations.”
Section 1
“Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, individual gifts and donations not exceeding [$2,500] $50,000 in value in a fiscal year may be received by the division of parks and recreation without the approval of the governor or [the governor and] council.”
Section 2
“Donations received under this paragraph may be acknowledged through limited sponsor recognition, including the display of a name, logo, or identifying mark, as determined by the department, provided that such recognition is incidental to the donation, non-promotional in nature, and does not imply endorsement by the state.”
Section 1
“All monetary donations received under this paragraph shall be deposited in the state parks gifts and donations account established under RSA 216-A:3-o and expended in accordance with that section.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Nicholas BridleRPrime
  • Rep. Michael EdgarDDeputy Ranking Member· Public Works and Highways

Also: Rep. Mike BordesR, Rep. Matthew CokerR, Rep. Linda McGrathR

Public testimony

9 signed in online · 8 wrote testimony

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Testimony in Support of HB 1768-FN My name is Representative Nicholas Bridle, and I am the prime sponsor of HB 1768-FN. I respectfully submit this testimony in support of the bill.…”
— State Rep. Nicholas Bridle, District 29 - Hamptonsupports
“This is a small gesture from the state for our veterans in support of their service. Beyond that encouraging our veterans' to be active in nature could play a positive roll in their mental health.”
— Jed Carpentier, Hamptonsupports
“I and many of my fellow Veterans often find the peacefulness of the outdoors a welcome respite from the anxieties and pressures of everyday life, especially after military service is completed.…”
— Robert Chaikin, Newingtonsupports

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

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 21, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development5:02:22–5:17:0214m 40slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and DevelopmentWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0358h (NT) — roll call; Executive Session
  • Feb 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor5:06:48–5:07:571m 9slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0358h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0358h — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Ways and Means
  • Mar 11, 2026Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration3:05–12:249m 19slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 26, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1745s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1745s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1745s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateHouse floor3:54:41–3:55:491m 8slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1745s (Rep. Harb) — 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 Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 1 P. 35
  2. Jan 21, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2026 02:30 pm GP 228
  3. Jan 28, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/28/2026 10:00 am GP 228
  4. Jan 28, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0358h (NT) 01/28/2026 (Vote 16-0; RC) HC 6 P. 18
  5. Feb 12, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0358h: AA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 54
  6. Feb 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0358h: MA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 55
  7. Feb 12, 2026HouseReferred to Ways and Means 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 55
  8. Feb 19, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 89
  9. Feb 19, 2026SenIntroduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 5
  10. Mar 11, 2026SenHearing: 03/11/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 9
  11. Mar 26, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/26/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 11
  12. Mar 26, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  13. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1745s, 05/07/2026; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 17
  14. May 7, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1745s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  15. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1745s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  16. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1745s (Rep. Harb): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 22

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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