HB 1685 New Hampshire House · 2026 Regular Session

establishing a committee to study aiding the growth of assistive technology businesses and adoption of assistive technologies in New Hampshire.

HB 1685 establishes a 13-member commission to study how New Hampshire could become a "technology-first" state, with a specific focus on assistive technology for people with disabilities. The commission includes representatives from disability organizations, education, healthcare, and vocational services, appointed by the governor and agency leaders. It will analyze current technology needs, emerging tools, and training strategies from September 2026 through September 2027, then report findings and recommendations to state leaders by October 1, 2027. This bill creates a study body only; it does not enact new policies or funding.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status failed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Governor

Introduced Dec 12, 2025 Last action May 14, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Amended by the House → As Amended by the Senate · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to change the body from a 'commission' to a 'committee' and significantly reduced its size and scope. The Senate version limits membership to three representatives from the House of Representatives, whereas the House version included a diverse group of twelve members from various state agencies, non-profits, and the private sector. Additionally, the reporting deadline was moved up from October 2027 to November 2026, and the meeting schedule was adjusted to occur within 45 days of passage rather than starting in September 2026.

Scope change

The scope was narrowed from a broad, multi-stakeholder commission involving twelve different entities to a small, exclusively legislative committee of three House members.

REQUIREMENT

Membership was reduced from twelve diverse members (including agency reps and non-profits) to just three members appointed by the Speaker of the House.

The quorum requirement was lowered from eight members to two members.

TIMELINE

The initial meeting date was moved from September 1, 2026, to within 45 days of the bill's effective date.

The final report deadline was accelerated from October 1, 2027, to November 1, 2026.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 6, 2026

Introduced

House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1430s (Rep. Vose): MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 84

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1430s, 04/16/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 14A

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Committee Amendment # 2026-1430s, AA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1430s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/16/2026; SJ 9

upper

Mar 6, 2026

Introduced

Introduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 6

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0751h: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 36

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Introduced

Amendment # 2026-0751h: AA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 35

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0751h (NT) 02/17/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 9 P. 27

lower

Dec 12, 2025

Introduced

Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 1 P. 31

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors