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SB 512 · 2026 · Senate · Judiciary Committee

Fee waiver for annulling dropped charges

AI-generated

relative to fees to annul criminal records related to charges that do not result in conviction.

Prohibits charging a filing fee for annulments of criminal records related to arrests and charges that did not result in conviction.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 29, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits a filing fee for certain annulments of criminal records related to arrests and charges that do not result in conviction.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“II-a.(a)(1) For an offense disposed of on or after January 1, 2019, any person whose arrest has resulted in a finding of not guilty on all charges that resulted from the arrest, or whose case was dismissed or not prosecuted, shall have the arrest record and court record annulled:”
Section 105:1
“No filing fee shall be charged for any petition to annul brought under subparagraph II-a(a).”
Section 105:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Keith MurphyRPrimeDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Ruth WardRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip

Also: Sen. David WattersD, Sen. Tim McGoughR

Public testimony

6 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This bill prohibits a filing fee for certain annulments of criminal records related to arrests and charges that do not result in conviction. This is a good bill and should pass.…”
— Germano Martins, Hooksettsupports

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
  • Mar 5, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • Mar 26, 2026SenateCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • Mar 26, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyfailed
  • Mar 26, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Murphy Floor Amendment # 2026-1233sadopted
  • Mar 26, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1233sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Apr 8, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass12–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 23, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingSenate JudiciaryWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHearing
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateSenate floor21:16–22:241m 8slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Special Order to — adopted
  • Mar 26, 2026Floor debateSenate floor2:25:17–2:34:599m 42slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — failed, voice vote; Sen. Murphy Moved Ought to Pass
  • Apr 8, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety42:02–43:121m 10slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Ways and Means; Referral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f)
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled 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. Jan 27, 2026SenHearing: 01/27/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:10 pm; SC 3
  3. Mar 5, 2026SenCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 03/05/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 8
  4. Mar 12, 2026SenSpecial Order to 03/12/2026, Without Objection, MA; 03/05/2026 SJ 5
  5. Mar 12, 2026SenCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 03/12/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 9
  6. Mar 26, 2026SenSpecial Order to 03/26/2026, Without Objection, MA; 03/12/2026 SJ 6
  7. Mar 26, 2026SenCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 03/26/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 11
  8. Mar 26, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MF, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  9. Mar 26, 2026SenSen. Murphy Moved Ought to Pass; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  10. Mar 26, 2026SenSen. Murphy Floor Amendment # 2026-1233s, AA, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  11. Mar 26, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1233s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  12. Mar 26, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/26/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 9 P. 54
  13. Apr 8, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/08/2026 10:30 am GP 159
  14. Apr 8, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/08/2026 10:30 am GP 159
  15. Apr 8, 2026House: Ought to Pass 04/08/2026 (Vote 12-0; CC)
  16. Apr 23, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 6
  17. Apr 23, 2026HouseReferred to Ways and Means 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 15
  18. Apr 23, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 74
  19. May 14, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
  20. May 14, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  21. May 28, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 05/28/2026; Chapter 105; Effective 01/01/2027

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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