Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 1508 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

One-party consent for recordings

AI-generated

permitting one-party consent for audio and video recordings in certain instances.

Permits audio and video recordings of conversations with one-party consent, provided they are not made in violation of privacy or for blackmail or harassment, and directs the department of justice to conduct a public information campaign on the change.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill: I. Permits video and audio recordings of conversations so long as it is not made in violation of privacy or used for purposes of blackmail or harassment. II. Requires the department of justice to create and conduct a public information campaign explaining the changes in law as implemented by this 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

“This act may be known and cited as the "Transparency and Protection in Communications Act."”
Section 1
“The department of justice, in coordination with the administrative office of the courts, may:”
Section 3

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Joseph BartonRPrime
  • Rep. Katelyn KuttabRClerk· Judiciary

Also: Rep. Calvin BeaulierR, Rep. Donald McFarlaneR, Rep. James ThibaultR

Public testimony

50 signed in online · 4 wrote testimony

6% support94% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Position: OPPOSE / Vote NO To the House Judiciary Committee and Members of the New Hampshire House, My name is Kim Lawrence, and I am a New Hampshire resident.…”
— Kim Lawrence, Bedfordopposes
“Testimony Exposing Potential Underpinnings of HB 1508 HB 1508 seeks to allow one-party consent for audio and video recordings under specific circumstances, ostensibly promoting transparency in communications.…”
— Georgina Lambert, Belmontopposes
“This would be a WILD violation of the privacy expectations we treasure in New Hampshire. Absolutely not.”
— Stephanie Vazzano, Concordopposes

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 14, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate15–1
    Overall
    94% yea
  • Feb 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 14, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary6:03:17–6:05:402m 23slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — 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. 23
  2. Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 01:30 pm GP 230
  3. Jan 14, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/14/2026 01:30 pm GP 230
  4. Jan 14, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/14/2026 (Vote 15-1; CC) HC 5 P. 8
  5. Feb 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 12

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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