relative to the qualifications for hearings officers within the department of labor.
Sponsored By: Regina Birdsell (Republican)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Stronger standards for workers’ compensation hearing officers
Beginning 60 days after passage, New Hampshire sets standards for Labor Department officers hearing workers’ compensation cases before the commissioner. Officers must be attorneys in good standing, with education and experience in running administrative hearings and applying law to facts. The commissioner must appoint enough officers to meet the department’s responsibilities, with salaries matching the required responsibilities and experience. The commissioner must adopt rules strengthening officers’ roles and reporting structure and creating an ethics code for hearings and officers. Training rules must require at least 15 hours of continuing education each year. Officers must also receive at least 15 additional hours of annual training and briefing with the attorney general’s staff.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Regina Birdsell
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 266; Effective 08/31/2026
7/9/2026SenateEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 45
6/17/2026HouseEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
6/17/2026SenateSen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
5/21/2026SenateOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1869h: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 24
5/14/2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1869h: AA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 24
5/14/2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1869h 05/06/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 19 P. 13
5/7/2026House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 05/06/2026 11:00 am GP 231
4/30/2026House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 04/29/2026 10:00 am GP 231
4/22/2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/18/2026 01:15 pm GP 231
3/10/2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 5 P. 127
2/26/2026HouseOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
1/29/2026SenateCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 01/29/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 3
1/22/2026SenateHearing: 01/21/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:10 am; SC 2
1/15/2026SenateIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 1
11/24/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
6/17/2026
Introduced
11/24/2025
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION
Version adopted by both bodies
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