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HB 1419 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Study committee on specialized business court

AI-generated

(New Title) establishing a committee to study whether a court with specialized jurisdiction over corporate, commercial, and equitable matters should be established.

Establishes a committee to study whether to create a court with specialized jurisdiction over corporate, commercial, and equitable matters.AI-generated

Status

Recommended for passage but never voted; died at adjournment · May 7, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a committee to study whether a court with specialized jurisdiction over corporate, commercial, and equitable matters should be established.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“There is established a committee to study the feasibility, benefits, and risks of establishing a business court or an otherwise enhanced business docket with specialized jurisdiction over corporate, commercial, and equitable matters.”
Section 1
“The members of the committee shall consist of three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; one of whom shall be a member of the minority party.”
Section 2
“The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.”
Section 4
“The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, the chief justice of the supreme court, and the state library on or before November 1, 2026.”
Section 5

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Donald McFarlaneRPrime
  • Rep. Dan McGuireRVice Chair· Finance
  • Rep. Jason OsborneRMajority Leader
  • Rep. Joe SweeneyRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Rep. Jordan UleryRVice Chair· Ways and Means
  • Rep. Robert WherryRChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy

Also: Rep. Mary MurphyR, Rep. Daniel Popovici-MullerR, Rep. Jim KofaltR

Public testimony

20 signed in online · 8 wrote testimony

25% support75% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This is an opportunity for NH law and revenue. It clearly works for Delaware, and corporations should have another option to utilize a Court of Chancery.”
— CORY STONE, Doversupports
“Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony in support of HB1419, I offer this statement as both a New Hampshire native and the former CEO of As Seen On TV, where I worked extensively with entrepreneurs, manufacturers, distributors, and investors across the country.…”
— Ron Rule, Langdonsupports
“My name is Carol Pratt, and I live in Dover. I am a retired corporate lawyer, having worked for 40 years in Boston representing start-ups, venture capital financed companies, and corporations on the verge of initial public offerings.…”
— Carol Pratt, Doversupports
“I oppose this bill as drafted. While a based on a sound idea, I object to this bill for three reasons: 1. The large size of the 24-member commission and probable high expenses. 2. The long timeline. Can’t you get something done in less than four years?…”
— Russell Hodgkins, Amherstopposes
“I dont see why there would be a need for a separate court outside the existing judiciary, unless it is intended to create an avenue for companies to buy favorable litigation outcomes from their pet judges.”
— Kelly Butler, Gilsumopposes
“There should never be any written material censored or banned. This sets a dangerous precedent. Parents must convey to their children what is acceptable reading material based on one's age.…”
— Tami Lanzillo Zeimetz, Gilfordopposes

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

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary5:36:21–5:55:0818m 47slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing; Executive Session
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor35:29–41:316m 2slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0897h — adopted, division 189-149; Amendment # 2026-0897h — adopted, division 187-151
  • Apr 28, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary24:15–32:308m 15slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floor5:01:56–5:08:056m 9slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1767s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1767s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1767s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateHouse floor3:38:18–3:39:241m 6slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1767s (Rep. Lynn) — 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 Judiciary HJ 1 P. 19
  2. Feb 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/20/2026 01:30 pm GP 231
  3. Feb 20, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/20/2026 01:30 pm GP 231
  4. Feb 27, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0897h 02/27/2026 (Vote 9-8; RC) HC 10 P. 58
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0897h: AA DV 187-151 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 9
  7. Mar 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0897h: MA DV 189-149 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 10
  8. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
  9. Apr 28, 2026SenHearing: 04/28/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:10 pm; SC 17
  10. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1767s, 05/07/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 17
  11. May 7, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1767s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  12. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1767s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  13. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1767s (Rep. Lynn): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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