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HB 1685 · 2026 · House · Science, Technology and Energy Committee

Study committee on assistive technology

AI-generated

(Second New Title) establishing a committee to study aiding the growth of assistive technology businesses and adoption of assistive technologies in New Hampshire.

Establishes a committee to study aiding the growth of assistive technology businesses and the adoption of assistive technologies in New Hampshire.AI-generated

Status

Recommended for passage but never voted; died at adjournment · April 10, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a committee to study aiding the growth of assistive technology businesses and adoption of assistive technologies in New Hampshire.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“There is established a committee to study how to aid the growth of assistive technology businesses and speed up the adoption of assistive technologies in New Hampshire.”
Section 1
“The members of the committee shall consist of 3 members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.”
Section 2
“The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.”
Section 4
“The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2026.”
Section 5

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Heath HowardDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Executive Departments and Administration

Public testimony

8 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

75% support13% oppose13% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“My name is Sam Shepherd, and I’m the Founder of 3DA, a nonprofit advocating for individuals with developmental disabilities across the country; our two main priorities being legal rights and assistive technology.…”
— Sam Shepherd, Mesasupports
“This bill will help NH to acquire additional funding for technology and assistive technology to support independence for our aging population and those living with disabilities.…”
— Sara Valli, Charlestownsupports

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
  • Feb 17, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0751h (NT)18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0751hadopted
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0751hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1430s4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-1430sadopted
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1430sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Apr 23, 2026HouseVoice voteHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1430s (Rep. Vose)adopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Rochefort Refused to Accede to House Request for Committee of Conferenceadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 9, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy4:05:48–4:10:354m 47slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy29:04–31:342m 30slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0751h (NT); Executive Session
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0751h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0751h — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 18, 2026Public hearingSenate Health and Human Services2:26:18–2:34:508m 32slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 16, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1430s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1430s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1430s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1430s (Rep. Vose) — adopted, voice vote; Speaker Appoints: Reps. D. Thomas, Caplan, Parshall, Vose
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floor6:46:51–6:48:201m 29slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Rochefort Refused to Accede to House Request for Committee of Conference — 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 Science, Technology and Energy HJ 1 P. 31
  2. Feb 9, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/09/2026 01:00 pm GP 229
  3. Feb 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/17/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  4. Feb 17, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0751h (NT) 02/17/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 9 P. 27
  5. Mar 5, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0751h: AA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 35
  6. Mar 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0751h: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 36
  7. Mar 5, 2026SenIntroduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 6
  8. Mar 18, 2026SenHearing: 03/18/2026, Room 100, SH, 10:15 am; SC 10
  9. Apr 16, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1430s, 04/16/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 14A
  10. Apr 16, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1430s, AA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  11. Apr 16, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1430s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  12. Apr 23, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1430s (Rep. Vose): MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 84
  13. Apr 23, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. D. Thomas, Caplan, Parshall, Vose 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 84
  14. May 14, 2026SenSen. Rochefort Refused to Accede to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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