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HB 1188 · 2026 · House · Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Committee

Non-compete limits for low-wage workers

AI-generated

relative to noncompete agreements for low-wage employees.

Expands restrictions on the use of non-compete agreements for lower-income workers.AI-generated

Status

Committee recommended Inexpedient to Legislate; died at adjournment · February 24, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill expands restrictions on the use of non-compete agreements for lower-income workers.

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

“"[Low-wage] Qualifying employee" means an employee who earns an hourly rate less than or equal to [200] 500 percent of the federal minimum wage.”
RSA 275:70-a
“"Noncompete agreement" means an agreement between an employer and a [low-wage] qualifying employee that restricts such [low-wage] qualifying employee from performing:”
RSA 275:70-a
“No employer shall require a [low-wage] qualifying employee to enter into a noncompete agreement.”
RSA 275:70-a
“A noncompete agreement entered into between an employer and a [low-wage] qualifying employee shall be void and unenforceable.”
RSA 275:70-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Alice WadeDPrime
  • Rep. Heath HowardDDeputy Ranking Member· Executive Departments and Administration

Also: Rep. Kris SchultzD, Rep. Carrie SorensenD, Rep. Jared SullivanD, Rep. Billie ButlerD, Rep. Joseph BartonR, Sen. David WattersD, Sen. Donovan FentonD

Public testimony

80 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

99% support1% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am writing to urge you to support HB 1188, which would raise the income threshold for non-compete agreements from 200% to 500% of the federal poverty level.…”
— Rachel Thurrott, Eppingsupports
“Low wage workers don't need to be trapped by non-compete contracts. This bill is a little to generous but better than trapped forever.”
— Sharon Racusin, Hanoversupports
“Preventing restrictive noncompete clauses for low-wage employees empowers workers, supports fair labor markets, and reduces economic inequities.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchestersupports

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 10, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate11–9
    Overall
    55% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services1:44:03–1:51:197m 16slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 10, 2026Public hearingHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services37:57–40:062m 9slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Executive Session

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 Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services HJ 1 P. 9
  2. Feb 3, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/03/2026 11:30 am GP 159
  3. Feb 10, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/10/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  4. Feb 10, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/10/2026 (Vote 11-9; RC) HC 10 P. 103
  5. Feb 24, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0612h

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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