SB 512-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2108
09/05
SENATE BILL 512-FN
AN ACT relative to fees to annul criminal records related to charges that do not result in conviction.
SPONSORS: Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Ward, Dist 8; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Sullivan, Dist 18; Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. McGough, Dist 11
COMMITTEE: Judiciary
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires a court to waive the filing fee for a petitioner that demonstrates that he or she has been found not guilty or that the case has been dismissed or not prosecuted.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2108
09/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to fees to annul criminal records related to charges that do not result in conviction.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Annulment of Criminal Records; Waiver of Fee. Amend RSA 651:5, I to read as follows:
I. Except as provided in paragraphs V-VIII, the record of arrest, conviction and sentence of any person may be annulled by the sentencing court at any time in response to a petition for annulment which is timely brought in accordance with the provisions of this section if in the opinion of the court, the annulment will assist in the petitioner's rehabilitation and will be consistent with the public welfare. The court may grant or deny an annulment without a hearing, unless a hearing is requested by the petitioner. The court shall waive the filing fee for a petitioner that demonstrates that he or she has been found not guilty or that the case has been dismissed or not prosecuted in accordance with paragraph II or II-a.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
26-2108
10/21/25
SB 512-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to fees to annul criminal records related to charges that do not result in conviction.
FISCAL IMPACT:
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | Indeterminable Decrease $10,000 to $100,000 | Indeterminable Decrease $10,000 to $100,000 | Indeterminable Decrease $10,000 to $100,000 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | General Fund | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill requires a court to waive the $125 filing fee for annulments involving criminal charges where a petitioner demonstrates that he or she has been found not guilty or that the case has been dismissed or not prosecuted.
The Judicial Branch states in calendar year 2024, the Branch collected $221,425 in annulment filing fees. Based on an assumption that between 10% and 40% of annulment petitions involve such charges, the Branch estimates a reduction in filing fee revenue of more than $10,000 but less than $100,000 per fiscal year. The Branch is unable to provide a more precise estimate as annulled case information is expunged from its case management system and cannot be reliably tracked.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Judicial Branch
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 27, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
Jan. 21, 2026: Hearing: 01/27/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:10 pm; SC 3
Nov. 21, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 1