HB 1457 New Hampshire House · 2026 Regular Session

relative to natural organic reduction of human remains.

HB 1457 establishes a regulatory framework for natural organic reduction (NOR), a process that converts human remains into soil through natural means. The bill requires all NOR facilities to obtain a state license from the board of funeral directors and embalmers, sets building and environmental standards for these facilities, and defines key terms like "NOR facility" and "reduced remains." It directly affects funeral service providers offering NOR and individuals choosing this method for final disposition of remains. The law prohibits NOR except at licensed facilities, ensuring consistent oversight while using plain language to describe the new requirements.
Bill status failed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Dec 4, 2025 Last action Apr 23, 2026
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What changed between versions

Introduced As Amended by the House · 2 edits
MINOR
The House made two minor amendments to HB 1457, which governs natural organic reduction (composting) facilities. The most substantive change broadens the definition of acceptable shroud materials for disposition containers from 'woven plant material' to 'biodegradable or plant material,' expanding what materials can be used. A second change clarifies that the NOR certificate is 'created by the NOR facility' rather than 'provided by the NOR.'
DEFINITION

The definition of a disposition container's shroud was broadened from 'woven plant material' to 'biodegradable or plant material,' allowing non-woven biodegradable materials (such as certain synthetic biodegradable fabrics) to qualify.

TECHNICAL

The definition of the natural organic reduction certificate was changed from a document 'provided by the NOR' to one 'created by the NOR facility,' clarifying the responsible party and using the full term 'NOR facility' instead of the abbreviation.

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
17
Key actions
6
Committee
8
Amendments
1
Apr 16, 2026
Committee
Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate, 04/23/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 15A
upper
Mar 30, 2026
Introduced
Introduced 03/26/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass: MA VV 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 8
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass 03/17/2026 (Vote 25-0; RC)
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Committee
Referred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 71
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0560h: MA DV 301-48 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 71
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Introduced
Amendment # 2026-0560h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 71
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0560h 02/11/2026 (Vote 10-4; RC) HC 7 P. 32
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Full Committee Work Session: 02/04/2026 11:00 am GP 231
lower
Dec 4, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 1 P. 21
lower
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors

Sponsors