New Hampshire HB 1576: relative to allowing property owners to opt out of public utilities.

Bill Text

HB 1576-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES

19Feb2026... 0366h

4Jun2026... 2132EBA

2026 SESSION

 26-2889

 09/08

HOUSE BILL 1576-FN

AN ACT relative to the enforcement of criminal restitution obligations.

SPONSORS: Rep. Paquette, Hills. 25; Rep. Cole, Hills. 26; Rep. Dupont, Hills. 20; Rep. Gagne, Hills. 16; Rep. Kesselring, Hills. 18; Rep. Korzen, Coos 7; Rep. McGrath, Rock. 40; Rep. McLean, Hills. 15; Rep. Morton, Hills. 39; Rep. Grill, Hills. 18; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Sullivan, Dist 18

COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety

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ANALYSIS

 This bill provides for new mechanisms for the enforcement of criminal restitution obligations, including mandatory financial reevaluation and additional penalties for noncompliance.

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 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

19Feb2026... 0366h

4Jun2026... 2132EBA 26-2889

 09/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT relative to the enforcement of criminal restitution obligations.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 Legislative Findings and Purpose. The general court finds that restitution is a court-ordered obligation intended to help victims recover from the harm caused by crime. The current statutory framework does not provide sufficient safeguards to ensure timely disbursement of restitution, consistent enforcement of payment obligations, or regular review of an offender’s ability to pay. Too often, victims are left waiting for payments or without clear communication regarding enforcement. It is therefore the purpose of this act to modernize New Hampshire’s restitution system by requiring mandatory financial reevaluations, strengthening enforcement mechanisms, improving victim communication, requiring prompt disbursement of collected funds, and extending restitution obligations to a victim’s estate when appropriate. These reforms are remedial in nature and shall apply to both current and future restitution orders, so that all victims may benefit from the protections herein provided. 

 2 Restitution; Time and Method. Amend RSA 651:64, I to read as follows: 

 I. The time and method of restitution payments or performance of restitution services shall be specified by the department of corrections. Monetary restitution may be by lump sum, or by periodic installments in any amounts. The court shall not be required to reduce the total obligation as a result of the offender's inability to pay. The offender shall bear the burden of demonstrating lack of ability to pay. Restitution shall be paid by the offender to the department of corrections unless otherwise ordered by the court. Monetary restitution shall not bear interest, except as authorized by this section. Restitution shall be made to any collateral source or subrogee, if authorized by that source and after restitution to the victim, and to the victims' assistance fund, if applicable, has been satisfied. Restitution shall be a continuing obligation of the offender's estate and shall inure to the benefit of the victim's estate, provided that no indebtedness shall pass to any heir of the offender's estate. 

 3 Restitution; Time and Method; Enforcement. RSA 651:64, III is repealed and reenacted to read as follows: 

 III.(a) The department of corrections shall conduct a mandatory reevaluation of each offender’s financial ability to pay restitution at least once every 12 months. 

 (b) If a reevaluation determines that the offender’s ability to pay has substantially increased, including but not limited to salary increases, lump sum payments, inheritance, settlement, or other financial gain, the department shall adjust the payment schedule upward within 30 days. 

 (c) Any adjustment shall apply retroactively to the date of the increase, with arrears added to the balance owed. 

 (d) Any such adjustment shall trigger immediate notification to the victim pursuant to paragraph VI. 

 (e) Each reevaluation shall also include a review of the offender’s payment history. If the offender has missed payments, paid less than ordered without good cause, or intentionally delayed payments, the department shall initiate enforcement measures pursuant to paragraph IV. 

 (f) The offender shall promptly notify the department of corrections of any change in their ability to pay that occurs outside the reevaluation period. 

 IV. For any incarcerated offender, the department of corrections shall automatically deduct 10 percent of all incoming monies from the offender's resident account to pa