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HB 1509 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Suits against judges over bail

AI-generated

relative to judicial immunity and permitting civil actions against judicial officers for certain criminal bail decisions.

Permits civil actions against judicial officers for certain criminal bail decisions.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 permits civil actions against judicial officers for certain criminal bail decisions.

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

“Any judge or other member of the judiciary who sits in a judicial capacity and makes determinations pursuant to RSA 597 regarding the release of criminal defendants pending trial may be held liable for civil negligence if all of the following are met:”
RSA 490-L:1
“An action that meets the requirements of paragraph I may be brought by the person who suffers physical or financial injury.”
RSA 490-L:1
“If the person dies as result of the alleged action by the criminal defendant, the action may be brought by the decedent's estate or next of kin.”
RSA 490-L:1
“In any action brought pursuant to this section, the court shall not apply any doctrine of judicial immunity if the requirements of paragraph I are satisfied.”
RSA 490-L:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Douglas TrottierRPrime
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law

Also: Rep. Barbara ComtoisR, Rep. Harry BeanR, Rep. Matthew CokerR, Rep. Tom PloszajR

Public testimony

85 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

8% support92% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This bill is designed to hold Justices and court officials accountable. Across this state, there has been more and more negligent decisions being made by our justices with no accountability.…”
— Douglas Trottier, Belmont · Belknap District 8supports
“This would require judicial officers to make wiser decisions about certain criminal bail decisions.”
— James Gardner, Keenesupports
“I oppose this bill because it reduces transparency or public accountability and does not meaningfully improve outcomes for New Hampshire residents.”
— Tiffany Gladu, Goffstownopposes

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· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate16–2
    Overall
    89% yea
  • Feb 12, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary1:36:31–1:41:204m 49slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 12, 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 28, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/28/2026 11:00 am GP 230
  3. Jan 28, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/28/2026 11:00 am GP 230
  4. Jan 28, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/28/2026 (Vote 16-2; CC) HC 6 P. 7
  5. Feb 12, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 7

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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