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SB 669 · 2026 · Senate · Commerce Committee

Two-tier alcohol license for salons

AI-generated

relative to on-premises licenses for licensed barbershops and salons.

Separates the on-premises license for barbershops and salons into two tiers, one allowing a single sale and one allowing service without charge, and requires the liquor commission to report annually to the legislature.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This increases separates the on-premises license for barbershops and salons into two tiers, one which allows for a single sale and one which allows for service without charge, and requires the liquor commission to make an annual report to the legislature regarding the issuance of licenses and the number of violations which occurred.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“The commission may issue a license to a business currently licensed through the office of professional licensure and certification, pursuant to RSA 313-A:19, as a salon or barbershop, as defined under RSA 313-A:1, to serve one alcoholic beverage to customers who are receiving services from said establishment.”
Section 1
“Notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 179:44, a tier 1 licensee under this paragraph may serve alcoholic beverages and liquor [for free] without charge for on-premises consumption, which shall be limited to one drink per customer in the amount not to exceed one 16-ounce glass of beverage, 6-ounce glass of wine, or 1 1/2 ounces of liquor per person per appointment.”
Section 1
“Such records shall be retained by the licensed facility and shall be made available to the commission upon request.”
Section 1
“A tier 2 licensee may sell alcoholic beverages and liquor for on-premises consumption only, which shall be limited to one drink per customer in the amount not to exceed one 16-ounce glass of beverage, 6-ounce glass of wine, or 1 1/2 ounces of liquor per person per appointment.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDPrimeMinority Leader
  • Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Ruth WardRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce
  • Sen. David RochefortRChair· Health and Human Services
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip

Also: Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

5 signed in online

40% support60% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 12, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1021s6–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-1021sadopted
  • Mar 12, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1021sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Apr 22, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Refer for Interim Study13–3
    Overall
    81% yea
  • May 7, 2026HouseRoll callRefer for Interim StudyAdopted173–171How they voted
    Overall
    50% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    133–5870% yea
    Democrats
    40–11326% yea
  • May 7, 2026HouseDivisionReconsider Interim Study (Rep. Knab)Failed147–196
    Overall
    43% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingSenate Commerce1:36:53–1:37:571m 4slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1021s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1021s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1021s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 1, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration1:34:39–1:37:413m 2slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floor2:08:21–2:11:533m 32slocated in the stream transcriptRefer for Interim Study — adopted, roll call 173-171; Reconsider Interim Study (Rep. Knab) — failed, division 147-196

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Feb 5, 2026SenIntroduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 4
  2. Feb 17, 2026SenHearing: 02/17/2026, Room 100, SH, 10:00 am; SC 6
  3. Mar 12, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1021s, 03/12/2026; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 9
  4. Mar 12, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1021s, AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  5. Mar 12, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1021s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 8 P. 115
  7. Apr 1, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/01/2026 11:30 am GP 231
  8. Apr 22, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/22/2026 10:45 am GP 231
  9. Apr 22, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Refer for Interim Study 04/22/2026 (Vote 13-3; RC) HC 18 P. 11
  10. Apr 30, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1563h
  11. May 7, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA RC 173-171 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 19
  12. May 7, 2026HouseReconsider Interim Study (Rep. Knab): MF DV 147-196 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 33

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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