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HB 1788 · 2026 · House · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Ban on DEI provisions in contracts

AI-generated

(New Title) holding state contracts with DEI provisions to be void as a matter of law and establishing a right of action for citizens where public entities or state agencies engage with contracts with DEI provisions.

Requires courts to find that state contracts containing DEI-related provisions are void as a matter of law and establishes a right of action allowing citizens to sue public entities or state agencies over such contracts.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · April 10, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Requires courts to find that contracts that include DEI-related provisions are void as a matter of law. II. Allows taxpayers to sue public entities or state agencies for engaging in, or failing to investigate allegations of, contracts with DEI-related provisions.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Rich NalevankoRPrime
  • Rep. Robert WherryRChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
  • Rep. Joe SweeneyRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law
  • Sen. Ruth WardRDeputy Majority Leader

Also: Rep. Susan DeRoyR, Rep. Jose CambrilsR

Public testimony

163 signed in online · 24 wrote testimony

2% support98% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I oppose HB1788 because this sounds like another lawsuit. Remember, the anti-DEI legislation is a matter in which the State is already defending in court and likely to loose on the taxpayer’s dime. NH can’t treat everyone the same because people aren’t the same.…”
— Mary Hakken-Phillips, Hanoveropposes
“My name is Ehrin. I am a middle school educator in Concord, and I am also a resident of New Boston.…”
— Ehrin Kelly, New Bostonopposes
“We need to stop being afraid of diversity equity and inclusion. I strongly oppose this bill because I am not afraid of DEI.”
— Michelle Moge, Derryopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-1510:00 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2026-03-031:00 pmHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 159Public hearing
  • 2026-04-021:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 1 P. 36
  2. Jan 15, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/15/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  3. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 01:00 pm GP 159
  4. Mar 3, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0453h (NT) 03/03/2026 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 10 P. 45
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0453h: AA DV 324-1 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 170
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0453h: MA DV 179-148 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 171
  8. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
  9. Apr 2, 2026SenHearing: 04/02/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:40 pm; SC 12
  10. Apr 16, 2026SenCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 04/16/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 14
  11. Apr 16, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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