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HB 1261 · 2026 · House · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Administrative procedure act revisions

AI-generated

relative to the administrative procedure act.

Revises the procedures governing the state administrative procedure act.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill revises the procedures of the administrative procedure act.

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

“The notice and identification of statutes and regulations in rule shall be in such form as the director of the division of administrative rules for the office of legislative services shall prescribe until otherwise provided by the drafting and procedure manual [adopted pursuant to RSA 541-A:8.”
RSA 541-A:3-a
“Within 30 days of receiving the petition, or 30 days after the next scheduled meeting of a board, commission, or group [receiving] reviewing the petition, the agency shall determine whether to grant or deny the petition [and notify the petitioner].”
RSA 541-A:4
“An agency shall provide notice of its intent to undertake rulemaking [give] at least 20 [days' notice of its intent to hold a] days prior to holding the first public hearing, [and shall also give notice of the cut-off date for the submission of written testimony] pursuant to RSA 541-A:11, I, on any proposed adoption, readoption, readoption with amendment, or repeal of a rule.”
RSA 541-A:6
“Each agency shall conform to the [a] drafting and procedure manual for rules, including agency forms, developed by the director of the division of administrative rules for the office of legislative services [and the commissioner of administrative services], subject to amendment and final approval by the committee.”
RSA 541-A:8

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Erica LayonRPrimeChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Jaci GroteDRanking Member· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration

Also: Sen. Tara ReardonD

Public testimony

1 signed in online

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Refer for Interim Study16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteRefer for Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration1:14:49–1:16:211m 32slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 18, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamFull Committee Work Session
  • Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration1:32:48–1:35:382m 50slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamRefer for 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. 13
  2. Jan 29, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/29/2026 10:50 am 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: Refer for Interim Study 03/03/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 10 P. 19
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 40

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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