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SB 596 · 2026 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Smoking ban at Hampton Beach

AI-generated

prohibiting smoking in Hampton Beach State Park.

Prohibits smoking in Hampton Beach State Park.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · April 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits smoking in Hampton Beach state park.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, including any regulation adopted pursuant to RSA 12-A:2-c, II(a), smoking, as defined by RSA 155:65, XV, shall be prohibited within Hampton Beach state park.”
RSA 155:78-a
“The department of natural and cultural resources shall develop and post signage in Hampton Beach state park informing the public of this prohibition.”
RSA 155:78-a
“Any authorized official may enforce this prohibition through directing the offending individual to comply with the prohibition.”
RSA 155:78-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Debra AltschillerDPrime

Rep. Chris MunsD

Public testimony

4 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

75% support25% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support SB 596 because prohibiting smoking in Hampton Beach State Park improves public health, reduces litter, and protects coastal ecosystems.…”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchestersupports
“This no common sense bill is a direct attack on individual liberty in public. You might not like the smell of cigarettes ... then MOVE your beach blanket to another spot. A better bill would penalize littering of cigarette butts that everyone can agree on.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

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 5, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Mar 25, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate11–4
    Overall
    73% yea
  • Apr 9, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 20, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources13:45–14:541m 9slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 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 Development4:12:33–4:13:411m 8slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:36:33–1:37:381m 5slocated in the stream transcriptInexpedient to Legislate — 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 Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 1
  2. Jan 20, 2026SenHearing: 01/20/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:10 am; SC 1
  3. Mar 5, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/05/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 8
  4. Mar 5, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  5. Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 8 P. 114
  6. Mar 25, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/25/2026 01:30 pm GP 228
  7. Mar 25, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/25/2026 10:00 am GP 228
  8. Mar 25, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/25/2026 (Vote 11-4; RC)
  9. Apr 1, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
  10. Apr 9, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 17

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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