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SB 639 · 2026 · Senate · Commerce Committee

Study of food dye safety

AI-generated

establishing a committee to study the health and safety impacts of Red Dye 40 and other food additives in food and beverages sold in New Hampshire.

Establishes a committee to study the health and safety impacts of Red Dye 40 and other food additives in food and beverages sold in New Hampshire.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · May 14, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a committee to study the health and safety impacts of Red Dye 40 and other food additives in food and beverages sold in New Hampshire.

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

“There is established a committee to study the health and safety impacts of Red Dye 40 and other food additives in foods and beverages sold in New Hampshire.”
Section 1
“Legislative members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.”
Section 2
“The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.”
Section 4
“The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the chairpersons of the house and senate health and human services committees, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2026.”
Section 5

Official record

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Donovan FentonDPrime
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. David RochefortRChair· Health and Human Services
  • Rep. Joe AlexanderRChair· Housing

Also: Sen. Pat LongD, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR, Rep. Yury PolozovR

Public testimony

4 signed in online

75% support0% oppose25% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 29, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate14–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 13, 2026Public hearingSenate Commerce1:36:54–1:39:182m 24slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Jan 29, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 7, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs34:18–35:381m 20slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 8, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Apr 21, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Apr 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs39:35–41:191m 44slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — 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 Commerce; SJ 1
  2. Jan 13, 2026SenHearing: 01/13/2026, Room 100, SH, 10:30 am; SC 46
  3. Jan 29, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 01/29/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 3
  4. Jan 29, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 5 P. 127
  6. Apr 7, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/07/2026 10:30 am GP 159
  7. Apr 8, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 04/08/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  8. Apr 21, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 04/21/2026 01:15 pm GP 229
  9. Apr 29, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/29/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  10. Apr 29, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 04/29/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 19 P. 9
  11. May 14, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 10

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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