CHAPTER 114
SB 649-FN - FINAL VERSION
2026 SESSION
26-2087
06/08
SENATE BILL 649-FN
AN ACT increasing fines for using a hand-held mobile electronic device while driving a motor vehicle.
SPONSORS: Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. McConkey, Dist 3; Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Ricciardi, Dist 9; Rep. Roy, Rock. 31; Rep. Gorski, Hills. 2; Rep. N. Murphy, Hills. 12; Rep. Crawford, Carr. 3
COMMITTEE: Transportation
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ANALYSIS
This bill increases fines and adds license suspension for repeat offenses involving the use of a hand-held mobile electronic device while driving, with enhanced penalties when the violation contributes to a crash.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2087
06/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT increasing fines for using a hand-held mobile electronic device while driving a motor vehicle.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
114:1 Use of Mobile Electronic Devices While Driving; Prohibition; Penalties. Amend RSA 265:79-c, III to read as follows:
III. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a violation and shall be [fined $100 plus penalty assessment for a first offense, $250 plus penalty assessment for a second offense, and $500 plus penalty assessment for any subsequent offense within a 24-month period.] subject to the following fines and penalties:
(a) For a first offense, a fine of $250. If the violation is a contributing cause of a motor vehicle crash, the fine shall be $500.
(b) For a second offense within 24 months of the first offense, a fine of $500. If the violation is a contributing cause of a motor vehicle crash, the fine shall be $750.
(c) For a third or subsequent offense within 24 months of the first offense, a fine of $750 and license suspension of up to 30 days. If the violation is a contributing cause of a motor vehicle crash, the fine shall be $1,000 and the suspension shall be 60 days.
114:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
Approved: May 28, 2026
Effective Date: January 01, 2027
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 13, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| Senate | Floor Vote | |
| March 18, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| March 20, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| March 20, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
May 29, 2026: Signed by the Governor on 05/28/2026; Chapter 114; Effective 01/01/2027
May 18, 2026: Enrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13
May 18, 2026: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
May 18, 2026: Enrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13
May 18, 2026: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
April 9, 2026: Ought to Pass: MA DV 232-123 04/09/2026
April 9, 2026: Lay SB649 on Table (Rep. Scherr): MF DV 168-186 04/09/2026 HJ 10
April 3, 2026: Removed from Consent (Reps. Alexander Jr., Tom Mannion, McFarlane, Barton, D. Kelley, DeVito, Reinfurt, Granger, Thibault, Giasson) 04/03/2026
April 1, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass 03/20/2026 (Vote 11-1; CC)
March 20, 2026: Executive Session: 03/20/2026 02:00 pm GP 159
March 10, 2026: Public Hearing: 03/18/2026 03:00 pm GP 159
Feb. 26, 2026: Introduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 5 P. 127
Jan. 29, 2026: Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
Jan. 15, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 01/29/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 3
Dec. 9, 2025: Hearing: 01/13/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 02:00 pm; SC 46
Nov. 25, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 1