Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 1178 · 2026 · House · Transportation Committee

Looser car window tinting rules

AI-generated

relative to permissible window tinting on motor vehicles.

Allows aftermarket tinting on front side windows with at least 35 percent light transmittance and creates a medical exemption for similar tinting.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill allows aftermarket tinting on the front side windows if they allow at least 35 percent light transmittance and creates a medical exemption for similar tinting.

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

“After-market tinting shall be permitted on the windows to the left and right of the driver, provided the windows maintain a minimum visible light transmittance of 35 percent, as measured in accordance with applicable testing standards.”
Section 1
“The commissioner shall establish testing and measurement procedures to ensure compliance with RSA 266:58-a.”
Section 2
“The commissioner may also waive the requirements of RSA 266:58-a and issue a special permit to a person who for bona fide medical reasons requires after market tinting on the windshield or on the windows to the left and right of the driver and who applies for such permit.”
Section 2
“Such waiver shall be granted in accordance with this section and shall only authorize the use of after market tinted windows with a visible light transmittance of not less than 35 percent.”
Section 2

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Joseph BartonRPrime

Rep. Samuel FarringtonR, Rep. James ThibaultR, Rep. Alice WadeD

Public testimony

6 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

50% support50% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Tint level of the rear windows is very safe for the front side windows. Fully support the choice to upgrade front windows and suppress summer heat.”
— CORY STONE, Doversupports

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
  • Mar 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Without Recommendation10–10
    Overall
    50% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseDivisionOught to PassFailed158–187
    Overall
    46% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseRoll callInexpedient to LegislateAdopted204–143How they voted
    Overall
    59% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    55–13329% yea
    Democrats
    149–1094% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Transportation1:29:07–1:32:233m 16slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Transportation2:23:10–2:27:544m 44slocated in the stream transcriptExecutive Session; Committee Report: Without Recommendation — roll call
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor5:10:39–5:16:385m 59slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — failed, division 158-187; Inexpedient to Legislate — adopted, roll call 204-143

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 Transportation HJ 1 P. 9
  2. Feb 17, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/17/2026 11:20 am GP 234
  3. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 11:00 am GP 234
  4. Mar 3, 2026House: Without Recommendation 03/03/2026 (Vote 10-10; RC) HC 10 P. 74
  5. Mar 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MF DV 158-187 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 72
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 204-143 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 72

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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