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SB 522 · 2026 · Senate · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Arts and culture economic impact commission

AI-generated

re-establishing the commission to study the economic impact of the arts and culture in New Hampshire.

Re-establishes a commission to study the economic impact of arts and culture in New Hampshire.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill re-establishes the commission to study the economic impact of the arts and culture in New Hampshire.

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

“There is established a commission to study the economic impact of the arts and culture in New Hampshire.”
RSA 19-A:14
“Three members of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be a member of the commerce and consumer affairs committee and one of whom shall be a member of the finance committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.”
RSA 19-A:14
“Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.”
RSA 19-A:14
“The commission shall study the economic impact of the arts and culture in New Hampshire and recommend ways in which the state can enhance and expand this sector of the New Hampshire economy.”
RSA 19-A:14

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. David RochefortRPrimeChair· Health and Human Services
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Denise RicciardiRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader

Also: Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

137 signed in online · 24 wrote testimony

99% support1% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This timely Bill would re-establish the commission to study the economic impact of the arts and culture in New Hampshire.”
— Richard DeMark, Meredithsupports
“I oppose the non-germane amendment, which is the text of HB 1616.”
— Patricia Piscetta, belmontsupports
“Testimony in Support of SB 522, re-establishing the commission to study the economic impact of the arts and culture in New Hampshire March 25th, 2026 Thank you, Chairman Harb and Members of the Resources, Recreation and Development Committee.…”
— Tom Raffio, Concordsupports

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
  • Feb 5, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 5, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Mar 25, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 9, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 23, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 14, 2026Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration4:00:39–4:04:173m 38slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development1:16:54–1:29:0912m 15slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 23, 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 14, 2026SenHearing: 01/14/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 1
  3. Feb 5, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 02/05/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 4
  4. Feb 5, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 5 P. 124
  6. Mar 25, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/25/2026 10:30 am GP 228
  7. Mar 25, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/25/2026 10:00 am GP 228
  8. Mar 25, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 03/25/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC)
  9. Apr 9, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 15
  10. Apr 23, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 82
  11. Apr 23, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 04/23/2026); SJ 11
  12. May 8, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 05/08/2026; Chapter 65
  13. Nov 1, 2026SenI. Section 2 Effective 11/01/2026
  14. May 8, 2026SenII. Remainder Effective 05/08/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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