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SB 486 · 2026 · Senate · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Administrative procedure act revisions

AI-generated

relative to the administrative procedure act.

Revises the procedures governing the administrative procedure act.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill revises the procedures of the administrative procedure act.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“The notice and identification of statutes and regulations in rule shall be in such form as the director of the division of administrative rules for the office of legislative services shall prescribe until otherwise provided by the drafting and procedure manual [adopted pursuant to RSA 541-A:8.”
RSA 541-A:3-a
“Within 30 days of receiving the petition, or 30 days after the next scheduled meeting of a board, commission, or group [receiving] reviewing the petition, the agency shall determine whether to grant or deny the petition [and notify the petitioner].”
RSA 541-A:4
“An agency shall provide notice of its intent to undertake rulemaking [give] at least 20 [days' notice of its intent to hold a] days prior to holding the first public hearing, [and shall also give notice of the cut-off date for the submission of written testimony] pursuant to RSA 541-A:11, I, on any proposed adoption, readoption, readoption with amendment, or repeal of a rule.”
RSA 541-A:6
“Each agency shall conform to the [a] drafting and procedure manual for rules, including agency forms, developed by the director of the division of administrative rules for the office of legislative services [and the commissioner of administrative services], subject to amendment and final approval by the committee.”
RSA 541-A:8

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Timothy LangRPrimeMajority Whip
  • Sen. Bill GannonRVice Chair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Sharon CarsonRPresident of the Senate
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Rep. Jaci GroteDRanking Member· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Erica LayonRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Also: Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

4 signed in online

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 8, 2026Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration9:02–11:142m 12slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Jan 29, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0059s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0059s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0059s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 1, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration4:18–6:532m 35slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration1:09:03–1:11:492m 46slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1747h; Executive Session
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1747h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-1747h — adopted, voice vote
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floor6:41:01–6:41:4746slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 1
  2. Jan 8, 2026SenHearing: 01/08/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 46
  3. Jan 29, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0059s, 01/29/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 3
  4. Jan 29, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0059s, AA, VV; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  5. Jan 29, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0059s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 5 P. 124
  7. Apr 1, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/01/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  8. Apr 29, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/29/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  9. Apr 29, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1747h 04/29/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 18 P. 8
  10. May 7, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1747h: AA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 10
  11. May 7, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1747h: MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 10
  12. May 14, 2026SenSen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  13. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  14. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  15. Jul 2, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 254; Effective 01/01/2027

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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