Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 1825 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Restructuring legal practice regulation

AI-generated

relative to the regulation of the practice of law, establishing an independent legal licensing board, and making an appropriation therefor.

Restructures the regulation of legal practice in New Hampshire by establishing an independent legal licensing board and appropriating funds for its operation.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill restructures the regulation of legal practice in New Hampshire.

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

“"Bar examination" means the uniform examination administered to test knowledge of New Hampshire and federal law.”
RSA 311:1-a
“Any member of the public may apply to sit for the New Hampshire bar examination without regard to educational background, professional experience, or intent to practice law.”
RSA 311:1-b
“There is hereby established an independent legal licensing board consisting of 12 members appointed as follows:”
RSA 311:3
“Discipline and disbarment shall be administered pursuant to RSA 311:9 through RSA 311:11 of this subdivision.”
RSA 311:4

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. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
  • Rep. Tom MannionRAssistant Majority Whip

Also: Rep. Barbara ComtoisR, Rep. Susan DeRoyR, Rep. Michael GrangerR, Rep. Diane KelleyR, Rep. Travis CorcoranR, Rep. Glenn BaileyR

Public testimony

15 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

7% support93% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I strongly oppose this attack on the the rule of law and the professional practice of attorneys in our state.…”
— Martha Jane Rich, Enfieldopposes
“I oppose this bill. Seriously do we want people that don't know the law to be lawyers???? Why would this make sense! Do better NH”
— Sarah Vishton, Laconiaopposes
“Mr. Chair & Members of the Committee: As a member of the NH Bar Association, I oppose HB1825 as a proposed.…”
— Mary Hakken-Phillips, Hanoveropposes

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 4, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary6:13:44–6:20:096m 25slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — 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 Judiciary HJ 1 P. 38
  2. Feb 4, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2026 03:00 pm GP 230
  3. Feb 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/04/2026 03:00 pm GP 230
  4. Feb 4, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/04/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 7 P. 16
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 27

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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