Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
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SB 53 · 2026 · Senate · Judiciary Committee

Legalize human composting

AI-generated

relative to natural organic reduction of human remains.

Allows natural organic reduction of human remains as a method of disposition and establishes a framework for regulating the practice.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill allows for the natural organic reduction of human remains and provides for regulation of the practice.

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

“Chapter Construed. ?This chapter shall be construed and interpreted as a comprehensive natural organic reduction law, and the provisions of this chapter shall take precedence over any existing laws or rules that govern human remains that do not specifically address NOR.”
RSA 325-B:26
“When a body is to be stored, the burial permit shall be completed by the cemetery sexton where the body is entombed and sent to the clerk of the town or city where the storage vault is located.”
RSA 5-C:68
“The board shall be responsible for the administration and enforcement of RSA 325-A relative to the cremation of human remains, and RSA 325-B, relative to natural organic reduction of human remains.”
RSA 325:8-a
“When the body is to be moved from entombment for final disposition, the funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent shall obtain the permit from the clerk of the town or city to use as the permit for final disposition.”
RSA 5-C:68

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Daniel InnisRPrimeChair, Majority Policy Conference

Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 6, 2025SenateCommittee report: Rereferred to Committee4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025SenateVoice voteRereferred to Committeeadopted
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingSenate Judiciary38:23–43:395m 16slocated 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 6, 2025Sen==CANCELLED== Hearing: 02/06/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:15 pm; SC 8
  3. Feb 11, 2025SenHearing: 02/11/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:15 pm; SC 9
  4. Mar 6, 2025Sen: Rereferred to Committee, 03/06/2025, Vote 4-0, CC SC 11
  5. Mar 6, 2025SenRereferred to Committee, MA, VV; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
  6. Jan 7, 2026SenCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 01/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 46
  7. 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.