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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.

Official record

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

Hearings

  • 2026-02-031:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing
  • 2026-03-2010:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearing
  • 2026-04-0310:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearing

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.