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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 reviews of state agency rules and guidance shall not defer to the agency's interpretations but make any necessary interpretations de novo, and shall resolve doubts in favor of limiting agency action.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

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

Hearings

  • 2026-01-2910:00 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearing
  • 2026-02-1810:00 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearing
  • 2026-03-031:00 pmHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 159Public hearing
  • 2026-04-019:00 amSenate Executive Departments and AdministrationSH 103Public hearing

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.