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HB 1788 · 2026 · House · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Ban on DEI provisions in contracts

AI-generated

(New Title) holding state contracts with DEI provisions to be void as a matter of law and establishing a right of action for citizens where public entities or state agencies engage with contracts with DEI provisions.

Requires courts to find that state contracts containing DEI-related provisions are void as a matter of law and establishes a right of action allowing citizens to sue public entities or state agencies over such contracts.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · April 10, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Requires courts to find that contracts that include DEI-related provisions are void as a matter of law. II. Allows citizens to sue public entities or state agencies for engaging in, or failing to investigate allegations of, contracts with DEI-related provisions.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“No agencies or political subdivisions shall enter into or renew any contract that includes DEI-related provisions, including requirements for contractors to implement DEI programs, conduct DEI training, or comply with DEI-related reporting obligations.”
RSA 21-I:114
“A court of competent jurisdiction shall order the full rescission of a contract in violation of this subdivision.”
RSA 21-I:114
“Any citizen shall be entitled to bring a cause of action against any public entity, state agency, or political subdivision that has violated any part of this subdivision.”
RSA 21-I:114
“Any citizen that can demonstrate such public entity, state agency, or political subdivision has violated any provision of this subdivision shall be entitled to declaratory relief, injunctive relief, and reasonable attorney's fees in any action brought against such district or administrative unit.”
RSA 21-I:114

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Rich NalevankoRPrime
  • Rep. Robert WherryRChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
  • Rep. Joe SweeneyRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law
  • Sen. Ruth WardRDeputy Majority Leader

Also: Rep. Susan DeRoyR, Rep. Jose CambrilsR

Public testimony

163 signed in online · 24 wrote testimony

2% support98% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I oppose HB1788 because this sounds like another lawsuit. Remember, the anti-DEI legislation is a matter in which the State is already defending in court and likely to loose on the taxpayer’s dime. NH can’t treat everyone the same because people aren’t the same.…”
— Mary Hakken-Phillips, Hanoveropposes
“My name is Ehrin. I am a middle school educator in Concord, and I am also a resident of New Boston.…”
— Ehrin Kelly, New Bostonopposes
“We need to stop being afraid of diversity equity and inclusion. I strongly oppose this bill because I am not afraid of DEI.”
— Michelle Moge, Derryopposes

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
  • Mar 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0453h (NT)9–7
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseDivisionAmendment 2026-0453hAdopted324–1
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseDivisionOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0453hAdopted179–148
    Overall
    55% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 15, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration3:05–6:553m 50slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration56:59–1:02:185m 19slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0453h (NT) — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor7:18:51–7:26:087m 17slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0453h — adopted, division 179-148; Amendment # 2026-0453h — adopted, division 324-1
  • Apr 2, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary2:54:27–2:57:273mlocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 16, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to 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 Executive Departments and Administration HJ 1 P. 36
  2. Jan 15, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/15/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  3. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 01:00 pm GP 159
  4. Mar 3, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0453h (NT) 03/03/2026 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 10 P. 45
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0453h: AA DV 324-1 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 170
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0453h: MA DV 179-148 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 171
  8. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
  9. Apr 2, 2026SenHearing: 04/02/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:40 pm; SC 12
  10. Apr 16, 2026SenCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 04/16/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 14
  11. Apr 16, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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