Bill Text - SB649 (2026)

Increasing fines for using a hand-held mobile electronic device while driving a motor vehicle.


Revision: May 29, 2026, 4:07 p.m.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.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