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HB 1312 · 2026 · House · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Licensing board authority changes

AI-generated

relative to the authority of various boards.

Authorizes professional licensing boards to establish subcommittees, adjusts the optometry board's authority over the approved pharmaceutical formulary, and transfers approval of medical imaging and radiation therapy education programs to the office of professional licensure and certification.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 16, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Authorizes boards under the purview of the office of professional licensure and certification to establish subcommittees. II. Removes the authority of the board of registration in optometry to modify the list of approved pharmaceuticals for use by optometrists. III. Removes the authority of the board of accountancy to establish administrative fines by rule.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

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

Also: Sen. Tara ReardonD

Public testimony

3 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

33% support67% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“We oppose any change in statute that removes the references to RSA 327:6-a, paragraph I through IV, the statute that defines the scope of training necessary, requires professional liability insurance, and defines administrative procedures for record keeping and notification of adverse effects for optometrists administering vaccines.…”
— Cathy Stratton, Concord · New Hampshire Medical Societyopposes
“A blanket bill that should not be passed Too broad and too vague. Anything can be considered academic or non academic depending on view point and context”
— Lisa Ayer, Manchesteropposes

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. 15
  2. Jan 29, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/29/2026 10:30 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: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0390h 03/03/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 10 P. 19
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0390h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 41
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0390h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 41
  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, 09:30 am; SC 12
  10. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1637s, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  11. May 7, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1637s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  12. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1637s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  13. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1637s (Rep. Layon): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 11
  14. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2160e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  15. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2160e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  16. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  17. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
  18. Jul 10, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 300; eff. I. Secs 4+13 eff prov sec 14 II. Rem eff 9/8/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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