Revision: March 12, 2026, 10:33 a.m.
HB 1630-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
11Mar2026... 0867h
2026 SESSION
26-2996
05/08
HOUSE BILL 1630-FN
AN ACT prohibiting the sale of nitrous oxide and certain inhalants for recreational purposes.
SPONSORS: Rep. N. Murphy, Hills. 12; Rep. Newell, Ches. 4; Rep. Rung, Hills. 12; Rep. Woods, Merr. 30; Rep. Lucas, Graf. 7; Rep. B. Boyd, Hills. 12; Rep. Mooney, Hills. 12; Sen. Ricciardi, Dist 9; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. Abbas, Dist 22
COMMITTEE: Commerce and Consumer Affairs
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill prohibits licensees from using their premises for illegal purposes, requires compliance with laws on inhaling toxic vapors, and bans selling nitrous oxide devices, with violations subject to enforcement by the liquor commission and repeat offenses leading to license revocation.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
11Mar2026... 0867h 26-2996
05/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT prohibiting the sale of nitrous oxide and certain inhalants for recreational purposes.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Premise Restrictions; Unlawful Purposes. RSA 179:50 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
179:50 Unlawful Purpose.
I. No licensee shall use, or allow to be used, his or her premises for any purpose contrary to law.
II. All licensees shall comply with the provisions of RSA 644:5-a, relative to inhaling toxic vapors for effect.
III. A licensee shall not sell, distribute, furnish, or offer for sale any nitrous oxide device, canister, cartridge, or receptacle containing nitrous oxide. This paragraph shall not apply to the sale of nitrous oxide contained in food products for use as a propellant.
IV. Whether a violation of paragraph II or III occurred, and the penalty for such violation, shall be determined by the commission in accordance with rules adopted under RSA 541-A. However, a second offense under paragraph II shall result in revocation of the license.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
26-2996
3/11/26
HB 1630-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2026-0867h)
AN ACT prohibiting the sale of nitrous oxide and certain inhalants for recreational purposes.
FISCAL IMPACT:
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund | None | |||||
Expenditures* | Indeterminable | |||||
Funding Source | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
| ||||||
Estimated Political Subdivision Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
County Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
County Expenditures | Indeterminable | |||||
Local Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Local Expenditures | Indeterminable | |||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill adds, deletes, or modifies a criminal penalty, or changes statute to which there is a penalty for violation. Therefore, this bill may have an impact on the judicial and correctional systems, which could affect prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole costs, for the state, as well as county and local governments. A summary of such costs can be found at: https://gencourt.state.nh.us/lba/Budget/Fiscal_Notes/JudicialCorrectionalCosts.pdf
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Judicial Branch, Judicial Council, Department of Justice, Department of Corrections, New Hampshire Association of Counties, and New Hampshire Municipal Association