Revision: March 26, 2026, 12:51 p.m.
SB 625-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
03/26/2026 1216s
2026 SESSION
26-2181
07/09
SENATE BILL 625-FN
SPONSORS: Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Rep. Foote, Rock. 13; Rep. Tripp, Rock. 13
COMMITTEE: Judiciary
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a committee to study options for information for family members of intentional homicide victims where the department of justice does not file charges in a case.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/26/2026 1216s 26-2181
07/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study options for information for family members of intentional homicide victims where the department of justice does not file charges in a case.
2 Membership and Compensation.
I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(b) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
II. Legislative members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.
3 Duties. The committee shall study options for information for family members of intentional homicide victims where the department of justice does not file charges in a case. The committee shall:
I. Review the relevant laws of other states;
II. Determine whether the New Hampshire constitution would allow for relevant laws in other states to be implemented in New Hampshire;
III. Review the current process for keeping family members of intentional homicide victims updated on the case and determining how to address any gaps found in that communication;
IV. Investigate whether there are any systemic problems with the investigatory process and if any are found, determining how those problems could be addressed; and
V. Investigate the feasibility of extending the statute of limitations for crimes relevant to this study.
4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2026.
6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
26-2181
Revised 12/30/25
SB 625-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | Indeterminable Increase $500,000 to $700,000 | Indeterminable Increase $600.000 to $1,000,000 | Indeterminable Increase $600.000 to $1,000,000 | ||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill permits family members of homicide victims to request a written explanation from the Department of Justice when charges are not filed or retried and allows those family members to petition the superior court for review of that decision. The bill establishes a court review process and takes effect January 1, 2027.
The Department of Justice states this bill would result in an indeterminable increase in workload related to responding to requests for written explanations, producing investigative materials for court review, and participating in potential evidentiary hearings. To implement the bill, the Department anticipates the need for four new full time positions consisting of two attorneys, one investigative paralegal, and one administrative assistant. The total costs for these positions would be $307,000 for FY 2027 with an assumed start date of January 1, 2027, $465,000 in FY 2028 and $473,000 in FY 2029.
Positions Requested by DOJ | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 |
Unclassified Attorney x 2 | $170,000 | $276,000 | $276,000 |
Investigative Paralegal x 1 (23-2010 PARALGLS-LGL ASSTS-4 SOC21-05) | $70,000 | $98,000 | $102,000 |
Administrative Assistant x 1 (23-2010 PARALGLS-LGL ASSTS-4 SOC21-04) | $67,000 | $91,000 | $95,000 |
Total Salary, Benefits and Operating Expenses | $307,000 | $465,000 | $473,000 |
The Department also anticipates additional indeterminable costs related to transcripts, court related expenses, expert consultation, and potential appellate activity.
Additionally, this bill does not authorize positions or appropriate funds. However, if the positions are authorized, it is assumed the costs for FY 2028 and FY 2029 would be included in the Department's FY 2028 and FY 2029 budget request.
The Judicial Branch states this bill would increase superior court workload. The Branch estimates expenditures would be indeterminable but more than $100,000 and less than $500,000 on an annual basis. Because the bill is effective January 1, 2027, the FY 2027 impact would reflect approximately one half of the annual cost range, with full year impacts beginning in FY 2028.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Justice and Judicial Branch