Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 452 · 2026 · House · Transportation Committee

Driver's licenses for temporary residents

AI-generated

relative to the issuance of drivers' licenses for aliens temporarily residing in New Hampshire.

Revises requirements governing the issuance and renewal of driver's licenses for nonresident aliens temporarily residing in New Hampshire.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · January 7, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill further delineates requirements regarding issuance and renewal of nonresident alien drivers' licenses.

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 RSA 263:40-a, the director may issue a New Hampshire driver's license to a nonresident alien who is living in New Hampshire on a temporary basis:”
RSA 263:39-a
“Notwithstanding RSA 263:39-a, the commissioner shall not issue a driver's license to a person granted asylee status by United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) until that person's application for adjustment of status to be a lawful permanent resident of the United States has been granted, regardless of any prior employment authorization.”
RSA 263:39-c
“A driver's license issued to a nonresident alien under this section shall not be considered valid identification of identity or residence for state voter registration or any other purpose related to local, state, or federal voting.”
RSA 263:39-a
“The term of the license shall be no longer than 5 years from the date of issuance, and the director may set a lesser term in accordance with the length of the person's residence in New Hampshire.”
RSA 263:39-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Thomas WalshRPrimeChair· Transportation
  • Rep. Gregory HillRChair· Legislative Administration
  • Rep. Jason OsborneRMajority Leader
  • Rep. Joe SweeneyRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Rep. Larry GagneRAssistant Majority Whip
  • Rep. Sherman PackardRSpeaker of the House
  • Rep. Steven SmithRVice Chair· Rules
  • Rep. Ted GorskiRVice Chair· Transportation
  • Rep. Terry RoyRChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Sen. Daryl AbbasRPresident Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore

Also: Rep. Jose CambrilsR

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 18, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendarCommittee report: Ought to Pass9–7
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025HouseRoll callOught to PassAdopted198–162How they voted
    Overall
    55% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    194–299% yea
    Democrats
    3–1602% yea
    Other
    1–0100% yea
  • May 15, 2025SenateCommittee report: Rereferred to Committee5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 15, 2025SenateVoice voteRereferred to Committeeadopted
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 18, 2025Public hearingHouse Transportation2:12:36–2:38:1025m 34slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Mar 13, 2025Floor debateHouse floor7:09:27–7:17:378m 10slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, roll call 198-162; Referred to Finance; Referral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f)
  • Apr 8, 2025Public hearingSenate Transportation2:36:52–2:44:257m 33slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 15, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Rereferred to Committee; Rereferred to Committee — adopted, voice vote
  • Jan 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Transportation HJ 3 P. 11
  2. Feb 18, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/18/2025 11:10 pm LOB 203
  3. Feb 18, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2025 02:00 pm LOB 203
  4. Feb 18, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 02/18/2025 (Vote 9-7; RC)
  5. Mar 5, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 13, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 198-162 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 89
  7. Mar 13, 2025HouseReferred to Finance 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 91
  8. Mar 13, 2025HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 91
  9. Mar 13, 2025SenIntroduced 03/13/2025 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 8
  10. Apr 8, 2025SenHearing: 04/08/2025, Room 101, LOB, 02:00 pm; SC 16
  11. May 15, 2025Sen: Rereferred to Committee, 05/15/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 21
  12. May 15, 2025SenRereferred to Committee, MA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  13. Jan 7, 2026SenCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 01/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 46
  14. Jan 7, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 01/07/2026; SJ 1

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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