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HB 611 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Repayment rules for indigent defense counsel

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to repayment regarding appointed counsel for indigent criminal defendants.

Revises the requirements and process for repayment of appointed counsel fees by indigent criminal defendants, reverting to a prior standard under which repayment may be required regardless of conviction.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · January 7, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill abolishes the repayment requirement and recoupment procedures for indigent criminal defendants who are appointed counsel.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Buzz ScherrDPrime
  • Rep. Terry RoyRChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Marjorie SmithDRanking Member· Judiciary
  • Rep. Paul BerchDDeputy Ranking Member· Judiciary
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRVice Chair· Finance

Also: Rep. Eric TurerD, Sen. Donovan FentonD

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Hearings

  • 2025-02-199:00 amHouse JudiciaryLOB 206-208Public hearing
  • 2025-03-0310:00 amHouse JudiciaryLOB 206-208Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-03-249:00 amHouse Finance - Division ILOB 212Public hearing
  • 2025-04-0110:00 amHouse FinanceLOB 210-211Public hearing
  • 2025-10-021:00 pmHouse Finance - Division IGP 230Public hearing
  • 2025-10-3010:00 amHouse FinanceGP 230Public hearingrescheduled

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Judiciary HJ 3 P. 18
  2. Feb 19, 2025House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 02/19/2025 09:45 am LOB 206-208
  3. Feb 19, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/19/2025 03:15 pm LOB 206-208
  4. Mar 3, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2025 10:00 am LOB 206-208
  5. Mar 3, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0638h (NT) 03/03/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC)
  6. Mar 5, 2025HouseMinority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0611h
  7. Mar 13, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0638h (NT): AA DV 197-163 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 80
  8. Mar 13, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0611h: AF DV 165-196 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 81
  9. Mar 13, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0638h: MA DV 199-163 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 81
  10. Mar 13, 2025HouseReferred to Finance 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 81
  11. Mar 24, 2025HouseDivision I Work Session: 03/24/2025 09:00 am LOB 212
  12. Apr 1, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 04/01/2025 10:00 am LOB 210-211
  13. Apr 2, 2025HouseRetained in Committee
  14. Oct 2, 2025HouseDivision I Work Session: 10/02/2025 01:00 pm GP 230
  15. Oct 30, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 10/30/2025 10:00 am GP 230
  16. Oct 30, 2025House: Inexpedient to Legislate 10/30/2025 (Vote 25-0; CC) HC 51 P. 11
  17. Jan 7, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 72

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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