relative to one day liquor license requirements and making salons and barber shops eligible for on-premise licenses.
Sponsored By: David H. Watters (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Alcohol businesses gain more tasting locations
Eligible alcohol businesses can hold tastings at locations approved by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission, not just licensed premises. Eligible businesses include manufacturers, rectifiers, vendors and their representatives, brew pubs, distributors, and on-premises and off-premises licensees. Tastings remain limited to hours when the commission allows that product to be sold at the location. This change takes effect 60 days after passage.
Businesses gain paid one-day alcohol licenses
Commission-approved for-profit groups can get one-day licenses to sell alcohol, including liquor, at approved events. A responsible person representing the group must apply, and the license costs $100 per day. Each event is capped at 500 patrons, and each entity can get six licenses per calendar year. Applications are due at least 15 days ahead, with written local fire, health, and police approvals. People under 18 need a parent, legal guardian, or adult spouse to enter areas serving alcohol. Local selectmen can assign police to the event. The New Hampshire Liquor Commission can suspend the license without warning when sales are against the public interest. These rules take effect 60 days after passage.
Salons gain alcohol licenses with fees
State-licensed barber shops, hair salons, and spas can get a cocktail lounge license costing $480 annually. They can serve alcohol free or for a fee, but only to customers receiving services during their scheduled appointments. Businesses must keep records of alcohol type, quantity, and patrons served on-site and provide them to the commission on request. People under 18 can enter without a parent or guardian; this does not authorize underage drinking. These rules take effect 60 days after passage.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
David H. Watters
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Carol M McGuire
Republican • House
Daniel E. Innis
Republican • Senate
Keith R. Murphy
Republican • Senate
Tim McGough
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
II. Remainder Effective 09/30/2025
8/4/2025SenateI. RSA 178:21 IV as inserted by section 4 Effective 08/01/2026
8/4/2025SenateSigned by the Governor on 08/01/2025; Chapter 0292
8/4/2025SenateEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 64
7/18/2025HouseEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
7/18/2025SenateEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2927e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/26/2025); SJ 18
7/14/2025SenateEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2927e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 61
7/11/2025HouseConference Committee Report # 2025-2799c, Adopted, VV; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
6/26/2025SenateConference Committee Report 2025-2799c: Adopted, VV 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 4
6/26/2025HouseConference Committee Report # 2025-2799c Filed 06/19/2025; As Amended by the House HJ 17
6/19/2025HouseCommittee of Conference Meeting: 06/17/2025, 12:30 pm, Room 100, SH
6/12/2025SenateSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Hunt, Potucek, Porcelli, J. Sullivan 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 172
6/11/2025HouseHouse Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Rep. Kofalt): MA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 172
6/11/2025HousePresident Appoints: Senators Innis, Murphy, Watters; (In Recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
6/11/2025SenateSen. Innis Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C, MA, VV; (In Recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
6/11/2025SenateOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-2293h: MA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 47
6/5/2025HouseAmendment # 2025-2293h: AA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 47
6/5/2025HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2293h 05/27/2025 (Vote 16-0; RC) HC 27 P. 13
5/28/2025HouseExecutive Session: 05/27/2025 01:15 pm LOB 302-304
5/21/2025House==CANCELLED== Subcommittee Work Session: 05/21/2025 11:00 am LOB 302-304
5/20/2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 05/20/2025 11:00 am LOB 302-304
5/14/2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 05/13/2025 10:00 am LOB 302-304
4/30/2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/16/2025 02:45 pm LOB 302-304
4/9/2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 11 P. 110
3/28/2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-1100s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
3/27/2025Senate
Bill Text
As Amended
7/14/2025
Enrolled
7/11/2025
Introduced
1/22/2025
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION
Version adopted by both bodies
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