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HB 1598 · 2026 · House · Housing Committee

Eviction notice and hearing changes

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to notice and proceedings for tenants and landlords engaged in eviction processes.

Amends notice, discovery, hearing, and appeal procedures in landlord-tenant eviction cases, including timelines for filing appearances, scheduling hearings, and requiring rent payment during appeals.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 16, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill amends various landlord/tenant laws to makes it easier for landlords to evict tenants for non-payment of rent or for a material breach of a rental agreement.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“No landlord shall willfully violate a tenant's right to quiet enjoyment of his tenancy or attempt to circumvent lawful procedures for eviction pursuant to RSA 540.”
RSA 540-A:2
“No tenant, members of the tenant’s household, guests, or other occupants of the premises shall willfully damage the property of the landlord or willfully deny tenants their right to quiet enjoyment of their tenancies.”
RSA 540-A:2
“No tenant, members of the tenant’s household, guests or other occupant of the premises shall willfully engage in behavior which unreasonably and adversely affects the health or safety of other tenants, the landlord, or the landlord’s agent; or willfully prevent the landlord from making emergency repairs. 308:5 Prohibited Practices and Security Deposits;”
RSA 540-A:2
“Upon a [showing] ruling of the court following a hearing on the merits of a violation of RSA 540-A:2 or RSA 540-A:3, I, II, or III, the court shall grant such relief as is necessary to protect the rights of the parties.”
RSA 540-A:2

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Dillon DumontRPrime
  • Rep. Brian ColeRVice Chair· Housing
  • Rep. Jordan UleryRVice Chair· Ways and Means
  • Sen. Sharon CarsonRPresident of the Senate

Also: Rep. Calvin BeaulierR

Public testimony

231 signed in online · 50 wrote testimony

1% support99% oppose0% neutral

ForCurrent eviction process is too slow, even in clear-cut cases

AgainstWorsens New Hampshire's housing crisis and homelessness

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support this bill because the current eviction process for nonpayment of rent or material lease violations is already lengthy and complex, and recent statutory changes have made it unreasonably prolonged, even in clear-cut cases where rent is not being paid or the lease has been materially breached.…”
— Kelly Bokhan, Loudonsupports
“I oppose this bill because both tenants and landlords need sufficient time for due process when a tenant is facing eviction. This bill would place undue time restraints which could result in homelessness for families.…”
— Melissa Chapman, Antrimsupports
“Testimony HB 1598 My name is Doug McNutt and I write in opposition to HB 1598. I am a member of the New Hampshire State Commission on Aging and I write on behalf of the Commission.…”
— Doug McNutt, Concord · NH Commsission on Agingopposes
“This bill impacts families and increases the numbers of unhoused in our communities.”
— Nancy Lee Harding, BEDFORDopposes
“I write in strong opposition to HB 1598, a bill that disrupts the careful balance of New Hampshire’s tenant-landlord laws and risks worsening—not easing—our state’s housing crisis. New Hampshire’s rental market is already under extreme strain.…”
— David Preece, Manchesteropposes

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

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Housing2:43:57–2:47:453m 48slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse HousingWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Housing10:57–12:061m 9slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0463h (NT); Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0463h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0463h — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Finance
  • Mar 31, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary1:17:12–1:46:1229mlocated in the stream transcript==ROOM CHANGE== Hearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1771s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1771s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1771s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:49:55–1:51:011m 6slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1771s (Rep. Alexander Jr.) — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2159e Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2159e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)

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 Housing HJ 1 P. 27
  2. Jan 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/20/2026 11:00 am GP 231
  3. Jan 26, 2026House==CANCELLED== Subcommittee Work Session: 01/26/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  4. Jan 28, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 01/28/2026 09:00 am GP 231
  5. Feb 3, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/03/2026 09:45 am GP 231
  6. Feb 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/03/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  7. Feb 3, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0463h (NT) 02/03/2026 (Vote 15-3; CC) HC 7 P. 15
  8. Feb 19, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0463h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 24
  9. Feb 19, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0463h: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 24
  10. Feb 19, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 39
  11. Feb 19, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 112
  12. Feb 19, 2026SenIntroduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 5
  13. Mar 31, 2026Sen==ROOM CHANGE== Hearing: 03/31/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:55 pm; SC 12
  14. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1771s, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  15. May 7, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1771s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  16. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1771s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  17. May 14, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/14/2026; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 18A
  18. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  19. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1771s (Rep. Alexander Jr.): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 14
  20. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2159e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  21. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2159e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  22. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  23. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
  24. Jul 10, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 308; eff. 10/8/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

Documents (PDF)

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