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New HampshireSB4862025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

relative to the administrative procedure act.

Sponsored By: Timothy Lang (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Clearer rules for agency hearings

Beginning January 1, 2027, the law clarifies agency hearing terms. An "order" is the final decision, not steps like starting a case or issuing a citation. A "party" is anyone named or admitted to the case. The "presiding officer" is the agency’s delegate, or the agency head if none is named.

Official rule text and publication

Agencies must follow a single drafting manual for rules and forms. The state posts a weekly online rulemaking register and publishes certified, official rule text. Rules generally take effect at 12:01 a.m. the day after filing and expire in 10 years, with special stability rules for approved organizational and procedural rules. When an agency starts readoption, current rules stay in place until the new rules take effect. Agencies must publish policy statements and file declaratory rulings, and the law clarifies what “file,” “declaratory ruling,” “licensing,” and “signature” mean, including electronic signatures.

Stronger legislative control over agency rules

The Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules meets monthly and can hold its own public hearings. The committee reviews each final rule within 60 days and can approve, conditionally approve, or object. It can object when a rule exceeds authority, conflicts with law, is not in the public interest, or hides big economic impacts. A final objection shifts the burden to the agency in court. The law also sets clear adoption paths, a single effective date per adopted filing, and lets the committee push agencies to fix expired rules. Failure to file required materials is a procedural defect that can trigger remedies.

Tighter fiscal and legal checks on rules

Agencies must name the exact statutes or federal rules that each state rule implements and keep a public cross‑reference table. Anyone can petition for a rule change; agencies must decide within 30 days and, if granted, request a fiscal impact within 120 days. Before filing a rule notice, an agency must ask the legislative budget assistant for a fiscal impact statement using real data. Final proposals must be filed 21 to 180 days after notice and include any amended fiscal statement and a report on public comments.

Who and what processes are covered

Beginning January 1, 2027, the law defines who and what is covered. "Person" includes people, companies, associations, and local governments, but not state agencies. "Nonadjudicative processes" are all agency actions that are not formal hearings.

Better public notice and hearings

Agencies must give at least 20 days’ notice before a rule hearing. Notices must list the rule text basics, fiscal impact, legal authority, hearing access, and contact info. Agencies cannot change the filed text before the first hearing. Copies of proposed rules must be public at least 5 days before the hearing. People get fair time to speak and send written or electronic comments, and agencies must post electronic comments online.

Clear end point and flexible timelines

Beginning January 1, 2027, rulemaking timelines are more flexible and clearer. For good cause, the rules director may waive or extend rulemaking deadlines after consulting the committee chair and vice-chair. "Final legislative action" occurs when a committee-sponsored joint resolution is defeated in either house, or when a veto is not overridden. This tells everyone when legislative review of a rule ends.

Faster emergency and technical rule updates

Agencies can adopt emergency rules for imminent health or safety threats or to avoid big fiscal harm. These take effect on filing and last up to 180 days. Interim rules and expedited repeals use shorter notice paths and still get committee review; a repeal hearing must be at least 7 days after notice. Beginning January 1, 2027, agencies can quickly update materials that rules incorporate by reference, with at least 14 days for comments, public access to the full text, and committee review. Public comments can stop expedited changes when the quick path is not appropriate.

Clear adoption and faster form updates

No form is enforceable unless it is adopted by rule. Beginning January 1, 2027, agencies may fix typos or formatting on forms without full rulemaking, with notice to the rules office. Agencies can also use a shorter process to change form requirements, with a public comment window of at least 7 days and committee review. Most amended forms do not need a full fiscal impact statement unless they only align a fee or fine to a specific statute and include a formal fiscal statement. Agencies must file the amended form and rule for public posting, and public comments can stop a change.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Timothy Lang

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Bill M. Gannon

    Republican • Senate

  • Daniel E. Innis

    Republican • Senate

  • David H. Watters

    Democratic • Senate

  • Erica J Layon

    Republican • House

  • Howard Pearl

    r • Senate

  • Keith R. Murphy

    Republican • Senate

  • Michael I Moffett

    Republican • House

  • Sharon M. Carson

    Republican • Senate

  • Unknown sponsor (PersonID 9225)

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 254; Effective 01/01/2027

    7/9/2026Senate

  2. Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 45

    6/17/2026House

  3. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14

    6/17/2026Senate

  4. Sen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12

    5/14/2026Senate

  5. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1747h: MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 10

    5/7/2026House

  6. Amendment # 2026-1747h: AA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 10

    5/7/2026House

  7. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1747h 04/29/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 18 P. 8

    4/30/2026House

  8. Executive Session: 04/29/2026 10:00 am GP 231

    4/22/2026House

  9. Public Hearing: 04/01/2026 10:00 am GP 231

    3/25/2026House

  10. Introduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 5 P. 124

    2/26/2026House

  11. Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0059s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026; SJ 2

    1/29/2026Senate

  12. Committee Amendment # 2026-0059s, AA, VV; 01/29/2026; SJ 2

    1/29/2026Senate

  13. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0059s, 01/29/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 3

    1/20/2026Senate

  14. Hearing: 01/08/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 46

    12/10/2025Senate

  15. Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 1

    11/21/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    6/17/2026

    HTML

  • Introduced

    11/21/2025

    PDF

  • CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION

    PDF

  • Version adopted by both bodies

    PDF

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