HB 1550 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee
Justice of peace requirement for mediators
AI-generatedrequiring marital masters, arbitrators, mediators, and judicial referees to be commissioned as a justice of peace as a qualification for such positions.
Requires marital masters, arbitrators, mediators, and judicial referees to be commissioned as a justice of the peace and to subscribe to the constitutional oath as a qualification for such positions.AI-generated
Status
Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 11, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill requires marital masters, arbitrators, mediators, and judicial referees to be commissioned as a justice of the peace in order to qualify for such positions. The bill also requires such individuals to subscribe to the oath or declaration as prescribed by part 2, article 84 of the constitution of New Hampshire.
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
“All mediators, arbitrators, and neutral parties involved in dispute resolution under contract with the New Hampshire judicial branch shall first be commissioned as a justice of the peace, pursuant to RSA 455-A, as a requirement to qualify for such position.”
“All judicial referees shall first be commissioned as a justice of the peace, pursuant to RSA 455-A, as a requirement to qualify for such position.”
“In order for the circuit court to commit a referee to a cause at law or in equity or the determination of any question of fact, said referee shall first be in compliance with the provisions of RSA 493-A:1-d.”
“Mediators, arbitrators, and neutral parties involved in dispute resolution under contract with the New Hampshire judicial branch shall renew their commission as a justice of the peace every 5 years by completing the same application process of RSA 455-A:2.”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
Public testimony
6 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony
17% support83% oppose0% neutral
In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“More regulation that is not needed, and will burden those that are involved.”
“TO: House Judiciary Committee FROM: Rep. Terry W. Roy, Chair of Criminal Justice and Public Safety RE: Questions Regarding the Practical Necessity of HB 1550 DATE: February 25, 2026 ?Chairman Lynn and Members of the Committee, ?I have reviewed HB 1550 and, frankly, I am struggling to find the practical benefit this provides to the citizens of New Hampshire.…”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Votes
yeanay- Feb 25, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate17–0Overall100% yea
- Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted
Hearings and debates
- Feb 25, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary1:41:03–2:03:4022m 37slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Public Hearing; Executive Session
- Mar 11, 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
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Judiciary HJ 1 P. 25
- Feb 25, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/25/2026 11:30 am GP 230
- Feb 25, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/25/2026 11:30 am GP 230
- Feb 25, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/25/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 10 P. 27
- Mar 11, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 55
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.