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SB 418 · 2026 · Senate · Commerce Committee

Protecting homestead food product sales

AI-generated

(New Title) prohibiting municipalities from requiring licenses, restrictions, or exclusions for the production and sale of homestead food products.

Prohibits municipalities from requiring licenses, restrictions, or exclusions for the production and sale of homestead food products.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits municipalities from requiring licenses for the production and sale of homestead food products.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Victoria SullivanRPrimeVice Chair· Education
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Judy AronRChair· Environment and Agriculture

Also: Sen. Tim McGoughR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR, Rep. Steven KesselringR, Rep. Kathleen PaquetteR, Rep. Mark WardenR

Public testimony

24 signed in online · 7 wrote testimony

50% support50% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“People have a God given right to freely contract - to buy and sell.…”
— Jim McKinley, Littletonsupports
“As someone who votes in every election, midterm, primary, local election and special election, I've seen lots of bake sales at the polls and bought their ware many times. I've never become ill as a result nor have I heard of it happening to anyone else.…”
— Julie Smith, Epsomsupports
“I write to respectfully urge you to oppose SB 418. At first glance, this bill appears to support small, home-based food producers.…”
— David Preece, Manchesteropposes
“I am a former State Representative and the former Deputy Director for the Manchester health Department. New Hampshire prides itself, at least in theory, on local control.…”
— Richard DiPentima, Portsmouth, New Hampshireopposes
“I find it deeply disturbing that people without any type of health and sanitation training will be allowed to make and sell anything they want from their home kitchens. Are the sponsors of this bill even familiar with food recall process and public notifications of illness?…”
— Flavia Martin, Nashuaopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-139:30 amSenate CommerceSH 100Public hearing
  • 2026-03-3110:00 amHouse Environment and AgricultureGP 153Public hearing
  • 2026-04-071:00 pmHouse Environment and AgricultureGP 153Public hearing
  • 2026-04-141:30 pmHouse Environment and AgricultureGP 153Public hearing
  • 2026-04-2810:00 amHouse Environment and AgricultureGP 153Public hearing
  • 2026-05-0510:00 amHouse Environment and AgricultureGP 153Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 1
  2. Jan 13, 2026SenHearing: 01/13/2026, Room 100, SH, 10:15 am; SC 46
  3. Jan 29, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 01/29/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 3
  4. Jan 29, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Environment and Agriculture HJ 5 P. 124
  6. Mar 31, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/31/2026 10:30 am GP 153
  7. Apr 7, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 04/07/2026 01:00 pm GP 153
  8. Apr 14, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 04/14/2026 01:30 pm GP 153
  9. Apr 28, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 04/28/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  10. May 5, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 05/05/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  11. May 5, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 05/05/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  12. May 5, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1481h (NT) 05/05/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 19 P. 13
  13. May 14, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1481h: AA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 20
  14. May 14, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1481h: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 20
  15. May 21, 2026SenSen. Innis Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
  16. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  17. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  18. Jul 2, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 246; Effective 07/02/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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