SB 657-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
03/26/2026 1060s
2026 SESSION
26-3270
07/09
SENATE BILL 657-FN
AN ACT creating a study commission to oversee the use of artificial intelligence in the state.
SPONSORS: Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Sen. Long, Dist 20; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Rep. Simpson, Rock. 33; Rep. Telerski, Hills. 11
COMMITTEE: Judiciary
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill creates a study commission to oversee the use of artificial intelligence in the state.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.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 1060s 26-3270
07/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT creating a study commission to oversee the use of artificial intelligence in the state.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Subdivision; Artificial Intelligence Analysis. Amend RSA 21-M by inserting after section 19 the following new subdivision:
Artificial Intelligence Oversight
21-M:20 Artificial Intelligence Oversight Commission.
I. There is established a commission to study the broader commercial and political effects of artificial intelligence (AI) in New Hampshire.
II. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, II(c), the members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(b) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(c) The attorney general, or designee.
(d) The secretary of state, or designee.
(e) The commissioner of the department of labor, or designee.
(f) The commissioner of the department of education, or designee.
(g) The commissioner of the department of health and human services, or designee.
(h) One member appointed by the governor, who shall have expertise in technology or AI.
(i) One member of the general public, appointed by the governor.
III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
IV. The commission shall:
(a) Study how AI development and implementation affects:
(1) Workforce composition and employment patterns;
(2) Wages and compensation;
(3) Education, training, and skill requirements;
(4) Health care delivery and patient outcomes;
(5) Consumer protections, including fairness, privacy, and transparency; and
(6) Political and campaign communications, including advertisements, messaging, and microtargeting using AI, and the potential for misleading or manipulative content.
(b) Make recommendations regarding policies, regulations, or legislation to mitigate the negative impacts and maximize the public benefits of AI.
V. The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Six members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
VI. The commission 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 the first of each November.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
26-3270
Revised 02/20/2026
SB 657-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to the oversight of artificial intelligence.
FISCAL IMPACT: The appropriation included in the bill does not fully fund the bill and not all positions requested are authorized.
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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 $400,000 to $900,000 | Indeterminable Increase $400,000 to $900,000 | Indeterminable Increase $400,000 to $900,000 | |
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | ||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $150,000 | $150,000 | $150,000 | |
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | ||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | |||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill establishes an artificial intelligence oversight framework within the Department of Justice by creating a full time artificial intelligence analyst position and makes an annual appropriation of $150,000 from the General Fund to fund the position. Additionally, this bill establishes a study commission on the impacts of artificial intelligence, and creates a new civil cause of action for the deceptive use of artificial intelligence.
The Department of Justice states this bill establishes one full time artificial intelligence analyst position within the Attorney General’s Office and includes an annual appropriation of $150,000 to fund salary, benefits, and associated operating costs. The Department assumes the position would be classified as a Data Scientist, SOC 15-2050, beginning at step 2, with total salary, benefit, and operating costs estimated at approximately $125,000 in FY 2027, $127,000 in FY 2028, and $133,000 in FY 2029, which can be supported within the annual appropriation provided by the bill. Additionally, this bill also establishes an artificial intelligence oversight commission. The Department notes that participation on the commission can be absorbed within existing resources and does not result in additional expenditures.
The Judicial Branch states this bill creates a new civil cause of action for the deceptive use of artificial intelligence in the Circuit Court District Division. The Branch indicates this would establish a new and potentially complex case type on the District Division docket and would require additional administrative resources to develop and maintain forms, guidance materials, and training resources for judges and court staff. Because the volume of filings and the complexity of such cases cannot be predicted, the Judicial Branch states the fiscal impact is indeterminable. However, the Branch anticipates the need for at least one additional full time equivalent position to administer the program and provide ongoing training to judges and staff, as well as additional judicial and court staff resources to address the increased caseload. The Judicial Branch estimates the fiscal impact to be between $250,000 and $750,000 per fiscal year beginning in FY 2027, funded from the General Fund.
This bill does not fund nor does it authorize Judicial Branch positions.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Justice and Judicial Branch
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| March 4, 2026 | 2026-1060s |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 17, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| Senate | Floor Vote | |
| March 12, 2026 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| March 12, 2026 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| March 26, 2026 | Senate | Floor Vote |
March 27, 2026: Introduced (in recess of) 03/26/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 9
March 26, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1060s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
March 26, 2026: Committee Amendment # 2026-1060s, AA, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
March 12, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1060s, 03/26/2026, Vote 3-1; SC 11
March 12, 2026: Special Order to 03/26/2026, Without Objection, MA; 03/12/2026 SJ 6
March 9, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1060s, 03/12/2026, Vote 3-1; SC 9
March 4, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1060s, 03/12/2026, Vote 3-1; SC 9
Feb. 12, 2026: Hearing: 02/17/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:50 pm; SC 6
Feb. 4, 2026: Introduced 01/29/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 3