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SB 467 · 2026 · Senate · Judiciary Committee

Mandatory minimums for fentanyl offenses

AI-generated

relative to the penalty for certain fentanyl-related offenses and establishing a mandatory minimum sentence for the crime of distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting.

Establishes mandatory minimum sentences for certain fentanyl-related offenses and for the crime of distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · April 23, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Adds mandatory minimum sentences for certain fentanyl-related offenses. II. Sets a mandatory minimum sentence for the crime of distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting.

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

“A fentanyl class drug in a quantity of 20 grams or more, including any adulterants or dilutants, shall carry a minimum term of imprisonment of not less than 3 years and 6 months incarceration.”
Section 1
“Any person who manufactures, sells, or dispenses a fentanyl class drug, including any adulterants or dilutants, in violation of RSA 318-B:2, I or I-a, is strictly liable for a death which results from the injection, inhalation, or ingestion of that substance and may be sentenced to imprisonment for life or for such term as the court may order.”
Section 2
“IX-c.(a) A defendant subject to the mandatory minimum sentence in paragraph IX may be eligible for a sentence below the mandatory minimum if the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that all of the following conditions are met:”
Section 3
“A fentanyl class drug in a quantity of 50 grams or more, including any adulterants or dilutants, shall carry a minimum term of imprisonment of not less than 7 years incarceration, subject to the exception delineated herein.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Bill GannonRPrimeChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. David RochefortRChair· Health and Human Services
  • Sen. Daryl AbbasRVice Chair· Judiciary
  • Rep. Katelyn KuttabRClerk· Judiciary

Also: Rep. Mark PearsonR, Rep. Aboul KhanR, Rep. Melissa LitchfieldR, Rep. Lilli WalshR

Public testimony

134 signed in online · 22 wrote testimony

9% support91% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“We have tried mandatory sentencing in the past and it was a terrible failure leading to mass incarceration. Please vote against this bill and let judges be the arbiters of justice.”
— Ingrid Markman, Hollisopposes
“Mandatory sentencing leads to more incarceration. It is not effective at dealing with crime and increases state expenditures. Our corrections system is already understaffed and underfunded. Judges should have discretion regarding sentencing.…”
— Debora Hatcher, Doveropposes
“I oppose 467 FN which advocates for mandatory minimum sentences, for several reasons which I urge you to consider: 1. I think the justice system can manage the sentencing, and while we all have opinions, the justice system has lawyers, juries, and judges who know how to evaluate each situation.…”
— Joanna Andros, Walpoleopposes

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 19, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026SenateRoll callOught to PassAdopted16–8How they voted
    Overall
    67% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    16–0100% yea
    Democrats
    0–80% yea
  • Apr 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Refer for Interim Study11–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 23, 2026HouseVoice voteRefer for Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary1:25:35–1:26:441m 9slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateSenate floor5:45:05–5:46:141m 9slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, roll call 16-8
  • Mar 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety24:17–28:574m 40slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety1:29–4:463m 17slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study; Executive Session
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamRefer for Interim Study — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 1
  2. Feb 3, 2026SenHearing: 02/03/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:10 pm; SC 4
  3. Feb 19, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 02/19/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 6
  4. Feb 19, 2026SenOught to Pass: RC 16Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 5 P. 124
  6. Mar 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/20/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  7. Apr 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/03/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  8. Apr 3, 2026House: Refer for Interim Study 04/03/2026 (Vote 11-0; CC)
  9. Apr 23, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 6

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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