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HB 1550 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Justice of peace requirement for mediators

AI-generated

requiring 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
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. 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.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. David LoveRPrime

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.”
— CORY STONE, Doveropposes
“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.…”
— Terry Roy, Deerfieldopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-02-2510:00 amHouse JudiciaryGP 230Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Judiciary HJ 1 P. 25
  2. Feb 25, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/25/2026 11:30 am GP 230
  3. Feb 25, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/25/2026 11:30 am GP 230
  4. Feb 25, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/25/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 10 P. 27
  5. 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.