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HB 1801 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Police accountability and forfeiture reforms

AI-generated

relative to causes of action for wrongful detention, drug forfeiture proceedings, the regulation of law enforcement officers, and the offense of unsworn falsification.

Establishes special provisions for wrongful detention claims, modifies drug forfeiture procedures, adds law enforcement certification requirements, and makes it a violation-level offense for an officer to knowingly submit false information in a written report.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill: I. Establishes special provisions for actions alleging wrongful detention. II. Modifies the procedures to be used regarding forfeiture of items used in connection with drug offenses. III. Adds new requirements for the certification or recertification of law enforcement officers. IV. Makes it a violation-level offense for a law enforcement officer to knowingly provide false information in a written report.

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

“Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the following provisions shall apply in an action brought by an individual alleging that they were unlawfully detained by a law enforcement agency:”
RSA 541-B:21-b
“Interests in the following property, upon petition of the [attorney general] state, shall be subject to forfeiture to the state and said property interest shall be vested in the state:”
RSA 318-B:17-b
“Once the plaintiff has made a prima facie case that they were unlawfully detained, the state shall have the burden of proof to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the detention was lawful.”
RSA 541-B:21-b
“The starting rate shall be $100 per hour, and shall be adjusted annually to account for cost of living increases.”
RSA 541-B:21-b

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Ellen ReadDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Housing
  • Rep. Tom MannionRAssistant Majority Whip
  • Rep. Dan McGuireRVice Chair· Finance

Also: Rep. Aidan AnkarbergI, Rep. Calvin BeaulierR

Public testimony

16 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

94% support6% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“If someone was fired from law enforcement FOR CAUSE that really dos call into question their ability to uphold the law in future. And yeah falsifying reports should be recognized as an issue.”
— Arwen Mellor, Rindgesupports
“I support HB 1801 because it makes straightforward, common-sense corrections to current law.…”
— Peter Rondeau, Brooklinesupports

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 13, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 9, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary4:43:37–4:44:501m 13slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary17:31–19:171m 46slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Mar 5, 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 Judiciary HJ 1 P. 36
  2. Feb 9, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/09/2026 02:00 pm GP 158
  3. Feb 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/13/2026 10:00 am GP 158
  4. Feb 13, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/13/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 9 P. 20
  5. Mar 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 25

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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