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HB 1698 · 2026 · House · Transportation Committee

Optional electronic ID credentials

AI-generated

relative to electronic credentials.

Clarifies that the statute authorizing the division of motor vehicles to establish electronic credentials does not grant authority to compel a person to create, maintain, or display one, nor require any business to accept one.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 24, 2026
  1. Introduced
  2. House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill clarifies that the statute authorizing the division of motor vehicles to establish electronic credentials does not grant the authority to compel a person to create, maintain, or display an electronic credential, nor to require any business to accept them.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Tom MannionRPrimeAssistant Majority Whip
  • Rep. Jeremy SlottjeRVice Chair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Shane SiroisRClerk· Legislative Administration
  • Rep. Mike DragoRMajority Whip

Also: Rep. Jonah WheelerD, Rep. Peter MeheganR

Public testimony

6 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

83% support17% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

Electronic credentials improve efficiency but must be secure and accessible to all residents.
Hannah Meiselman, Manchestersupports
I believe they should stop this now. We need to protect all the animals. Thank you so much, Tammy
Tammy Green, South Berwicksupports

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-02-0310:00 amHouse TransportationGP 234Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2026-02-109:00 amHouse TransportationGP 234Public hearing
  • 2026-04-211:00 pmSenate TransportationSH 122-123Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Transportation HJ 1 P. 32
  2. Feb 3, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/03/2026 10:40 am GP 234
  3. Feb 10, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/10/2026 10:00 am GP 234
  4. Feb 10, 2026House: Ought to Pass 02/10/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 7 P. 22
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 36
  6. Feb 19, 2026SenIntroduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 5
  7. Apr 21, 2026SenHearing: 04/21/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 15
  8. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/07/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 17
  9. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  10. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  11. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  12. Jun 19, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 06/19/2026; Chapter 178; eff. 08/18/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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