Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

SB 298 · 2026 · Senate · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Agency review standards and scent ban

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to the scope of review of state agency interpretations, prohibiting the use of scented products in public areas of state buildings, and establishing a committee to study the implementation and effectiveness of the mandatory statewide certification process and operational standards for recovery residences.

Directs courts to resolve doubt in favor of interpretations that limit agency power in actions involving state agencies, prohibits scented products in public areas of state buildings, and establishes a committee to study certification and operational standards for recovery residences.AI-generated

Status

Died — the House and Senate did not agree · May 21, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires sober living houses to be certified by the New Hampshire Coalition of Recovery Residents, to verify resident eligibility, and to retain a paid house manager. The bill provides enforcement authority to the municipality in which the house is located and to the department of health and human services.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Kevin AvardRPrimeDeputy Majority Whip

Public testimony

80 signed in online · 6 wrote testimony

99% support1% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“We do not ever want another Eric Spofford nightmare in the State again! https://www.13thsteppodcast.org/”
— Cynthia Rodenhauser Stewart, MANCHESTERsupports
“This bill has broad support and I am hoping you will vote to support it as well. Thank you!”
— Michele Holt-Shannon, Doversupports
“Thank you for your work and representation. Please vote YES on this critically important bill.”
— Suellen Peluso, Hopkintonsupports

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-03-059:00 amSenate Executive Departments and AdministrationSH 103Public hearing
  • 2026-03-1910:00 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearingcancelled
  • 2026-03-2510:10 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2026-04-0810:00 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearing
  • 2026-04-2910:00 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearing
  • 2026-05-0611:00 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Feb 13, 2025SenIntroduced 02/13/2025 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 6
  2. Mar 5, 2025SenHearing: 03/05/2025, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 11
  3. Mar 13, 2025Sen: Rereferred to Committee, 03/13/2025, Vote 4-0, CC SC 12
  4. Mar 13, 2025SenRereferred to Committee, MA, VV; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
  5. Jan 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-3105s, 01/07/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 46
  6. Jan 7, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-3105s, AA, VV; 01/07/2026; SJ 1
  7. Jan 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-3105s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/07/2026; SJ 1
  8. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 5 P. 124
  9. Mar 19, 2026House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 03/19/2026 02:00 pm GP 231
  10. Mar 25, 2026House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 03/25/2026 02:05 pm GP 231
  11. Mar 25, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/25/2026 01:50 pm GP 231
  12. Apr 8, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 04/08/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  13. Apr 29, 2026House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 04/29/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  14. May 6, 2026House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 05/06/2026 11:00 am GP 231
  15. May 6, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1751h 05/06/2026 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 19 P. 23
  16. May 7, 2026HouseMinority : Refer for Interim Study
  17. May 14, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1751h: AA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 74
  18. May 14, 2026HouseFLAM # 2026-1958h (NT) (Rep. Layon): AA DV 176-166 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 75
  19. May 14, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1751h and 2026-1958h: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 77
  20. May 21, 2026SenSen. Pearl Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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