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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: I. States that, in actions brought by or against state agencies, after applying all customary tools of interpretation, the court or hearing officer shall resolve any remaining doubt as to legal meaning in favor of a reasonable interpretation that limits agency power and maximizes liberty for individuals impacted by restrictions, fees, fines, or civil or criminal action as a result of the state statute, regulation, or other subregulatory agency document. II. Prohibits the use of scented products in public areas of state buildings. III. Establishes a committee to study the implementation and effectiveness of the mandatory statewide certification process and operational standards for recovery residences.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the House. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“In interpreting a state statute, regulation, or other subregulatory agency document, a state court or an officer hearing an administration action shall not defer to a state agency's interpretation of the statute, regulation, or subregulatory document and shall instead interpret its meaning and effect de novo.”
RSA 541-A:24-a
“"Open to the public" means buildings, or areas of buildings, that maintain regular hours during which any member of the public may visit, or that are routinely used for appointments with members of the public.”
RSA 155:84
“"Fragrance dispensing devices" means automatic, manual, or reactive devices that dispense a scent into the air, including but not limited to plug-in air fresheners, wall-mounted dispensers, and aerosol sprays.”
RSA 155:84
“Not more than one year from the effective date of this section, in all areas of buildings owned or operated by the state that are open to the public, the state shall:”
RSA 155:84

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 13, 2025SenateCommittee report: Rereferred to Committee4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025SenateVoice voteRereferred to Committeeadopted
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-3105s4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2025-3105sadopted
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-3105sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 6, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1751h9–7
    Overall
    56% yea
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-1751hadopted
  • May 14, 2026HouseDivisionFloor amendment 2026-1958h (Rep. Layon)Adopted176–166
    Overall
    51% yea
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1751h and 2026-1958hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 21, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Pearl Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendmentadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Mar 5, 2025Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration3:41–4:591m 18slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 13, 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: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-3105s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-3105s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-3105s — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration4:06:07–4:07:411m 34slocated in the stream transcript==CANCELLED== Public Hearing; Public Hearing
  • Apr 8, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration34:24–35:321m 8slocated in the stream transcriptFull Committee Work Session
  • Apr 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationWatchnamed in a list of bills, not taken up — opens the full stream==RECESSED== Executive Session
  • May 6, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration48:24–52:244mlocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1751h — roll call; ==CONTINUED== Executive Session
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:57:09–4:58:181m 9slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1751h and 2026-1958h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-1751h — adopted, voice vote; FLAM # 2026-1958h (NT) (Rep. Layon) — adopted, division 176-166
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateSenate floor1:09:52–1:10:3139slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Pearl Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote

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

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.