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HB 1211 · 2026 · House · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Court review of state agency rules

AI-generated

relative to the scope of review of state agency interpretations.

Directs courts and hearing officers, in actions involving state agencies, to resolve remaining doubt about legal meaning in favor of interpretations that limit agency power and maximize individual liberty after applying customary tools of interpretation.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill states that in actions brought by or against state agencies, after applying all customary tools of interpretation, the court or hearing officer shall resolve any remaining doubt as to legal meaning in favor of a reasonable interpretation that limits agency power and maximizes liberty for the individuals impacted by restrictions, fees, fines, or civil or criminal action as a result of the state statute, regulation, or other subregulatory agency document.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“In interpreting a state statute, regulation, or other subregulatory agency document, a state court or an officer hearing an administration action shall not defer to a state agency's interpretation of the statute, regulation, or subregulatory document and shall instead interpret its meaning and effect de novo.”
RSA 541-A:24-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jim KofaltRPrime
  • Rep. Jeremy SlottjeRVice Chair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Erica LayonRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Joe AlexanderRChair· Housing
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education

Also: Rep. Michael GrangerR, Rep. Aidan AnkarbergI, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR

Public testimony

12 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

75% support25% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I disagree with requiring a state court to reinterpret regulations every time they come up. If the court finds that a state agency’s current interpretation is sound then the court should be allowed to use that interpretation regardless if it "limits agency power" or not.”
— Kelly Butler, Gilsumopposes

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· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0906h16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0906hadopted
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0906hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study3–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration4:16:31–4:20:404m 9slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 18, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration1:24:18–1:30:035m 45slocated in the stream transcriptFull Committee Work Session
  • Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration38:22–46:137m 51slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0906h; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0906h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0906h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 1, 2026Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration24:16–27:243m 8slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — 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 Executive Departments and Administration HJ 1 P. 10
  2. Jan 29, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/29/2026 02:15 pm GP 231
  3. Feb 18, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/18/2026 10:00 am GP231
  4. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 01:00 pm GP 159
  5. Mar 3, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0906h 03/03/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 10 P. 19
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0906h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 40
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0906h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 40
  8. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 7
  9. Apr 1, 2026SenHearing: 04/01/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 12
  10. May 7, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 05/07/2026; Vote 3-0; CC; SC 17
  11. May 7, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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