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SB 649 · 2026 · Senate · Transportation Committee

Higher fines for phone use driving

AI-generated

increasing fines for using a hand-held mobile electronic device while driving a motor vehicle.

Increases fines and adds license suspension for repeat violations involving the use of a hand-held mobile electronic device while driving, with enhanced penalties when the violation contributes to a crash.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill increases fines and adds license suspension for repeat offenses involving the use of a hand-held mobile electronic device while driving, with enhanced penalties when the violation contributes to a crash.

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

“Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a violation and shall be [fined $100 plus penalty assessment for a first offense, $250 plus penalty assessment for a second offense, and $500 plus penalty assessment for any subsequent offense within a 24-month period.] subject to the following fines and penalties:”
Section 114:1
“If the violation is a contributing cause of a motor vehicle crash, the fine shall be $500.”
Section 114:1
“If the violation is a contributing cause of a motor vehicle crash, the fine shall be $750.”
Section 114:1
“If the violation is a contributing cause of a motor vehicle crash, the fine shall be $1,000 and the suspension shall be 60 days.”
Section 114:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Donovan FentonDPrime
  • Sen. Mark McConkeyRVice Chair· Transportation
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
  • Sen. Denise RicciardiRChair· Transportation
  • Rep. Terry RoyRChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Ted GorskiRVice Chair· Transportation
  • Rep. Karel CrawfordRClerk· Transportation

Also: Rep. Nancy MurphyD

Public testimony

12 signed in online

83% support17% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Mar 20, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass11–1
    Overall
    92% yea
  • Apr 9, 2026HouseDivisionLay SB649 on Table (Rep. Scherr)Failed168–186
    Overall
    47% yea
  • Apr 9, 2026HouseDivisionOught to PassAdopted232–123
    Overall
    65% yea
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 29, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 18, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety5:46:39–5:56:079m 28slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:47:44–1:56:328m 48slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, division 232-123; Lay SB649 on Table (Rep. Scherr) — failed, division 168-186
  • 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 Transportation; SJ 1
  2. Jan 13, 2026SenHearing: 01/13/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 02:00 pm; SC 46
  3. Jan 29, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 01/29/2026; Vote 4-0; 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 Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 5 P. 127
  6. Mar 18, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/18/2026 03:00 pm GP 159
  7. Mar 20, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/20/2026 02:00 pm GP 159
  8. Mar 20, 2026House: Ought to Pass 03/20/2026 (Vote 11-1; CC)
  9. Apr 3, 2026HouseRemoved from Consent (Reps. Alexander Jr., Tom Mannion, McFarlane, Barton, D. Kelley, DeVito, Reinfurt, Granger, Thibault, Giasson) 04/03/2026 HJ 10 P. 11
  10. Apr 9, 2026HouseLay SB649 on Table (Rep. Scherr): MF DV 168-186 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 20
  11. Apr 9, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 232-123 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 21
  12. May 14, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
  13. May 14, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  14. May 28, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 05/28/2026; Chapter 114; 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.