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HB 1064 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Government liability for negligence claims

AI-generated

relative to liability of governmental units.

Modifies the standards and amounts for which governmental units may be held liable for negligence causing personal injury or property damage and requires indemnification of employees absent wanton or reckless conduct.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill: I. Modifies the standards and amounts for which a governmental unit may be held liable for negligence resulting in personal injury or property damage. II. Requires political subdivisions to indemnify employees absent wanton on reckless conduct for negligent conduct resulting in personal injury or property damage, if the action was within the scope of the employment.

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

“Provided, however, that the liability of any governmental unit with respect to its sidewalks, streets, and highways shall be limited as provided in RSA 231 and the liability of any governmental unit with respect to publicly owned airport runways and taxiways shall be limited as set forth in RSA 422.”
RSA 507-B:2
“It shall be lawful for the state or any municipal subdivision thereof, including any county, city, town, school district, school administrative unit or other district, to procure the policies of insurance described in RSA 412 or participate in pooled risk management, or self-insurance, pursuant to RSA 5-B.”
RSA 507-B:7-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Katelyn KuttabRPrimeClerk· Judiciary
  • Rep. Bob LynnRChair· Judiciary
  • Rep. Paul BerchDDeputy Ranking Member· Judiciary
  • Rep. Mike DragoRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader

Also: Rep. Alicia GreggD, Rep. Melissa LitchfieldR

Public testimony

17 signed in online · 4 wrote testimony

59% support41% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I strongly support this bill. The only people who should be making decisions regarding their children's' health / immunization are the parents or legal guardians. Thank you for supporting this bill.”
— Pamela Harders, Manchestersupports
“Local government and schools should be accountable for the injuries they cause to others. Having some liability helps promote responsible government. I support this bill shielding the employees and having the liability on the body, not the person.”
— Kevin Delorey, Nashuasupports
“I have concerns that HB1064 may reduce avenues for residents to seek accountability when harmed by government action. Any liability reform should preserve meaningful access to justice”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchesteropposes
“Make the person liable. Shrink the government. Stop voting to make it bigger. This is just an altered qualified immunity. Which is wrong.”
— John Beto, Templeopposes

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
  • Feb 13, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyfailed
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–3
    Overall
    63% yea
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Gray Moved Laid on Tableadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary3:37:10–3:37:4838slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary12:00–13:271m 27slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 2, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary17:09–27:0910mlocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floor4:57:53–5:01:193m 26slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — failed, voice vote; Sen. Birdsell Moved Ought to Pass
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floor6:02:20–6:04:562m 36slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Pending Motion Ought to Pass; Sen. Gray Moved Laid on Table — adopted, voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Judiciary HJ 1 P. 4
  2. Feb 4, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2026 01:00 pm GP 230
  3. Feb 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/13/2026 10:00 am GP 158
  4. Feb 13, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 02/13/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 10 P. 26
  5. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 52
  6. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
  7. Apr 2, 2026SenHearing: 04/02/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 12
  8. May 7, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 05/07/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 17
  9. May 7, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MF, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  10. May 7, 2026SenSen. Birdsell Moved Ought to Pass; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  11. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  12. May 14, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/14/2026, Vote 5-3; SC 18A
  13. May 14, 2026SenSen. Gray Moved Laid on Table, MA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  14. May 14, 2026SenPending Motion Ought to Pass; 05/14/2026; SJ 12

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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