SB 409 · 2026 · Senate · Judiciary Committee

Disobeying an officer penalties and liability

(Second New Title) relative to the penalties for the offense of disobeying an officer and relative to liability of governmental units.

Amends penalties for disobeying an officer, modifies the standards and amounts for which a governmental unit may be liable for negligence, establishes due process protections for students and faculty in disciplinary proceedings at publicly funded colleges and universities, and requires political subdivisions to indemnify employees for negligent conduct absent wanton or reckless behavior.AI-generated

Status

Died — the House and Senate did not agree · May 21, 2026

✓Introduced
✕Senate
House
Governor
Law

Analysis

This bill amends the penalties for the offense of disobeying an officer. This bill is a request of the department of safety.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Public testimony

97 signed in online · 9 wrote testimony

9% support91% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This bill will improve safety for our law enforcement professionals.”

— Russell Hodgkins, Amherstsupports

“Class B felony is too extreme a punishment for the action of disobeying an officer.”

— Cory Stone, DOVERopposes

“Most communications from officers on-site are NOT LAWFUL ORDERS. It is well-documented, these are officers preferences for his convenience. Creating felons out of citizens lawfully standing exercising civil rights and law is insane.”

— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

“I’m opposed to increasing penalties for disobeying an officer”

— Kathy Torrey, Alsteadopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

2026-01-131:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing
2026-03-1810:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearing
2026-04-0310:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearing
2026-04-2410:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearing

Legislative history

Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 1
Jan 13, 2026SenHearing: 01/13/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 48
Jan 29, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 01/29/2026; Vote 3-0; CC; SC 3
Jan 29, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 5 P. 124
Mar 18, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/18/2026 10:00 am GP 159
Apr 3, 2026House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 04/03/2026 10:00 am GP 159
Apr 24, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/24/2026 10:00 am GP 159
Apr 24, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1389h 04/24/2026 (Vote 13-0; RC) HC 19 P. 18
May 14, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1773h: AA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 29
May 14, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1964h: AA DV 190-164 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 29
May 14, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1389h: AA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 31
May 14, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1961h: AA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 31
May 14, 2026HouseFLAM # 2026-1970h (Rep. D. Kelley): AF RC 172-184 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 33
May 14, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1773h 2026-1964h 2026-1389h and 2026-1961h: MA DV 181-175 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 36
May 21, 2026SenSen. Gannon Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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