Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
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HB 1501 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Limits on judicial immunity

AI-generated

limiting judicial immunity.

Limits judicial immunity to permit criminal or civil remedies for certain actions taken by members of the judiciary.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill limits judicial immunity to allow for criminal or civil remedies for actions by members of the judiciary for certain actions.

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

“"Judicial immunity" means the protection from criminal or civil liability granted to judges for acts performed in their official capacity.”
RSA 490-L:1
“"Judicial state actors" means a government official or entity that holds judicial power and is subject to constitutional limitations, and shall include judges and other officials acting within the judicial branch of the state.”
RSA 490-L:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Susan DeRoyRPrime
  • Rep. JD BernardyRClerk· Science, Technology and Energy

Also: Rep. Rich NalevankoR, Rep. Diane KelleyR, Rep. Glenn BaileyR, Rep. Kelley PotenzaR, Rep. Kristine PerezR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR, Rep. John SellersR, Rep. Thomas KaczynskiR

Public testimony

90 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

12% support88% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I oppose this bill because it reduces transparency or public accountability and does not meaningfully improve outcomes for New Hampshire residents.”
— Tiffany Gladu, Goffstownopposes
“I believe judges should be impartial and free from fear of suits regarding their decisions. Otherwise, you will get no one wh is any good to serve.”
— Patricia Hunt, Franconiaopposes
“Strongly oppose! This is why we have unions: to have fair and equitable negotiations for ALL members.”
— Catharine Farkas, Sanborntonopposes

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
  • Jan 28, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate13–5
    Overall
    72% yea
  • Feb 12, 2026HouseDivisionInexpedient to LegislateAdopted261–94
    Overall
    74% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary2:15:28–2:17:542m 26slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:11:35–4:17:406m 5slocated in the stream transcriptInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, division 261-94

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. 23
  2. Jan 28, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/28/2026 10:30 am GP 230
  3. Jan 28, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/28/2026 10:30 am GP 230
  4. Jan 28, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/28/2026 (Vote 13-5; RC) HC 6 P. 15
  5. Feb 2, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
  6. Feb 12, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA DV 261-94 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 41

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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