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HB 1717 · 2026 · House · Children and Family Law Committee

Restructuring family division court jurisdiction

AI-generated

relative to the jurisdiction of the circuit court, family division.

Redefines the jurisdiction of the circuit court family division, replaces marital masters with administrative law judges, and assigns additional duties to the administrative judge of the circuit court.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill redefines the jurisdiction of the judicial branch family division, now known as the circuit court, family division, including replacing marital masters with administrative law judges and providing additional duties to the administrative judge of the circuit court.

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

“The goals of the family division are the respectful treatment of all citizens by administrative law judges, that must strictly comply to policies/statutes that have been legislatively delegated to the judicial branch family division and ensures all litigants shall receive full judicial/constitutional review of all recommendations made by the administrative law judge.”
RSA 490-D:1
“Equity Jurisdiction. – Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the judicial branch family division shall have the powers of a court of equity in cases where subject matter jurisdiction lies with the judicial branch family division.”
RSA 490-D:3
“The administrative judge of the judicial branch family division, with the concurrence of the supreme court, shall recommend persons to the governor and council for initial appointment as [marital masters] administrative law judges.”
RSA 490-D:7
“Each [marital master] administrative law judge shall complete a course in court process and procedures and mediation and negotiation and psychologic maltreatment.”
RSA 490-D:8

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreRPrime
  • Rep. JD BernardyRClerk· Science, Technology and Energy
  • Rep. Shane SiroisRClerk· Legislative Administration

Also: Rep. Barbara ComtoisR, Rep. Susan DeRoyR, Rep. Diane KelleyR, Rep. Kristine PerezR, Rep. Kelley PotenzaR

Public testimony

11 signed in online · 4 wrote testimony

27% support73% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony in support of HB 1717. I am a father who has been involved in extended family court proceedings affecting my daughter.…”
— Dylan Goodwin, Rochestersupports
“Relative to the Jurisdiction of the Circuit Court, Family Division Children and Family Law Committee January 13, 2026 Chairwoman DeSimone and Members of the Committee, Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony in support of HB 1717. I am a parent and…”
— Cassandra Knapp, Rochestersupports
“I oppose HB1717 because it disrupts current law and existing court system.…”
— Mary Hakken-Phillips, Hanoveropposes
“Opposition Testimony on HB 1177: Defining Remote Work in Labor Law I unequivocally oppose HB 1177, which seeks to redefine remote work within our labor laws.…”
— Georgina Lambert, Belmontopposes

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
  • Jan 27, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 12, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law3:55:33–4:00:324m 59slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law47:58–53:205m 22slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Feb 12, 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

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Children and Family Law HJ 1 P. 32
  2. Jan 13, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/13/2026 01:00 pm GP 230
  3. Jan 27, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/27/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  4. Jan 27, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/27/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 6 P. 3
  5. Feb 12, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 2

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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