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SB 289 · 2026 · Senate · Judiciary Committee

Body camera footage preservation rules

AI-generated

relative to use and preservation of body-worn camera recordings in certain matters.

Establishes procedures governing the preservation of body-worn camera recordings and their use in certain legal proceedings.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · January 7, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill adds procedures to govern the preservation of body-worn camera footage and its use in certain proceedings.

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

“Notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 105-D:2, all data, images, and video captured, recorded, or otherwise produced by body-worn camera equipment may be copied by a law enforcement agency or prosecutor to provide discovery in criminal, juvenile delinquency, or administrative proceedings subject to the following limitations:”
RSA 105-D:4
“The parties in a criminal, juvenile delinquency, or administrative proceeding may utilize BWC recordings to create exhibits for use in said hearings subject to the relevant rules of evidence and rulings by the court.”
RSA 105-D:4
“No party shall further copy or distribute BWC recordings without a court order, except for the sole purpose of having an expert or other professional consultant provide analysis for the purposes of evaluating or preparing for the case.”
RSA 105-D:4
“The parties and any expert or professional consultant shall destroy all copies of BWC recordings created pursuant to this section in their possession upon the close of the case.”
RSA 105-D:4

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Bill GannonRPrimeChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education
  • Rep. JD BernardyRClerk· Science, Technology and Energy
  • Rep. Kimberly RiceRVice Chair· Children and Family Law

Also: Rep. Sheri MinorR, Rep. Susan PorcelliR, Rep. Lilli WalshR

Public testimony

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 6, 2025SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Rereferred to Committee5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025SenateVoice voteRereferred to Committeeadopted
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study4–1
    Overall
    80% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 4, 2025Public hearingSenate Judiciary1:14:53–1:18:113m 18slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Rereferred to Committee; Rereferred to Committee — adopted, voice vote
  • Jan 7, 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 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 3
  2. Feb 4, 2025SenHearing: 02/04/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:45 pm; SC 8
  3. Mar 6, 2025Sen: Rereferred to Committee, 03/06/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
  4. Mar 6, 2025SenRereferred to Committee, MA, VV; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
  5. Jan 7, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 01/07/2026; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 46
  6. Jan 7, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 01/07/2026; SJ 1

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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