New Hampshire 2026 Session Status: Passed House Bipartisan · 4 D · 2 R cosponsors

HB 1457 — relative to natural organic reduction of human remains.

Last action — Inexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 04/23/2026; SJ 10

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the House. Introduced December 04, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 54% · moderate confidence

  • Passed House

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 6 sponsors

    1 primary, 5 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (4 D · 2 R) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

relative to natural organic reduction of human remains.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

86 added · 88 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amended version of Bill HB 1457 now specifies that shrouds used in natural organic reduction (NOR) must be made of biodegradable materials like cotton, linen, wool, or hemp, instead of just woven plant material. Additionally, it clarifies the definition of a "natural organic reduction certificate" to indicate that it will be created by the NOR facility itself, enhancing accountability in the process. These changes help ensure environmentally friendly practices in handling deceased bodies and provide clearer guidelines for the documentation involved, which is significant for families and facilities involved in these practices.

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Latest
HB 1457-FN - AS INTRODUCED SESSION 26-2919 09/08 HOUSE BILL 1457-FN AN ACT relative to natural organic reduction of human remains.
HB 1457-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE 19Feb2026...
0560h SESSION 26-2919 09/08 HOUSE BILL 1457-FN AN ACT relative to natural organic reduction of human remains.
HB 1457-FN - AS INTRODUCED 26-2919 09/08 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT relative to natural organic reduction of human remains.
HB 1457-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE 19Feb2026...
0560h 26-2919 09/08 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT relative to natural organic reduction of human remains.
"Disposition container" means a container in which human remains are placed and means a container made of wood, wicker, grass, cardboard, or other biodegradable container, or a shroud made of cotton, linen, wool, hemp or other woven plant material.
"Disposition container" means a container in which human remains are placed and means a container made of wood, wicker, grass, cardboard, or other biodegradable container, or a shroud made of cotton, linen, wool, hemp or other biodegradable or plant material.
HB 1457-FN - AS INTRODUCED - Page 2 - XI.
HB 1457-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE - Page 2 - XI.
“Natural organic reduction certificate” is a document provided by the NOR certifying NOR has been completed on a specified deceased person.
“Natural organic reduction certificate” is a document created by the NOR facility certifying NOR has been completed on a specified deceased person.
HB 1457-FN - AS INTRODUCED - Page 3 - 325-B:5  License;
HB 1457-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE - Page 3 - 325-B:5  License;
  The letter shall include a description of each alleged violation, a request that the NOR authority submit a statement of compliance within 10 working days, and a notice that the board may HB 1457-FN - AS INTRODUCED - Page 4 - take further action if the statement of compliance is not submitted.
  The letter shall include a description of each alleged violation, a request that the NOR authority submit a statement of compliance within 10 working days, and a notice that the board may HB 1457-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE - Page 4 - take further action if the statement of compliance is not submitted.
  The board's decision shall become final 30 days HB 1457-FN - AS INTRODUCED - Page 5 - after mailing the decision to the licensee unless the licensee requests a hearing within such period.
  The board's decision shall become final 30 days HB 1457-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE - Page 5 - after mailing the decision to the licensee unless the licensee requests a hearing within such period.
 If the death occurs without the HB 1457-FN - AS INTRODUCED - Page 6 - state, the reception and NOR of the body of a deceased person shall be governed by rules adopted by the board after consultation with the chief medical examiner.
 If the death occurs without the HB 1457-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE - Page 6 - state, the reception and NOR of the body of a deceased person shall be governed by rules adopted by the board after consultation with the chief medical examiner.
If human remains are delivered to a NOR facility in a casket or alternative container that cannot be placed in the NOR chamber, the NOR operator shall remove the body from the casket or HB 1457-FN - AS INTRODUCED - Page 7 - incompatible container.
If human remains are delivered to a NOR facility in a casket or alternative container that cannot be placed in the NOR chamber, the NOR operator shall remove the body from the casket or HB 1457-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE - Page 7 - incompatible container.
HB 1457-FN - AS INTRODUCED - Page 8 - II.
HB 1457-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE - Page 8 - II.
The remaining bone fragments shall be processed by pulverization so as to reduce the fragments to unidentifiable particles and returned to the reduced remains.
The remaining bone fragments shall be processed by pulverization so as to reduce the fragments to unidentifiable particles.
This paragraph shall not apply when the commingling of human remains during NOR is otherwise authorized by law.
This paragraph shall not apply when the commingling of human remains HB 1457-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE - Page 9 - during NOR is otherwise authorized by law.
The presence of HB 1457-FN - AS INTRODUCED - Page 9 - incidental and unavoidable residue in the NOR chamber from a prior NOR is not a violation of this paragraph.
The presence of incidental and unavoidable residue in the NOR chamber from a prior NOR is not a violation of this paragraph.
If the reduced remains are shipped, a form used by the shipper may be used in lieu of a completed reduced remains receipt form if the shipper's form contains the information required for a reduced remains receipt form.
Both the party delivering the reduced remains and the party receiving it shall retain a copy of the reduced remains receipt form or shipper's form.
HB 1457-FN - AS INTRODUCED - Page 10 - II.
II.
IV.
HB 1457-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE - Page 10 - IV.
Burial Permit Procedures.
Burial Permit ProceduresAmend RSA 5-C:68 to read as follows:
Amend RSA 5-C:68 to read as follows:
When the body is to be disposed by natural organic reduction (NOR), at least 48 hours shall elapse before NOR can take place HB 1457-FN - AS INTRODUCED - Page 11 - in accordance with RSA 325-B and a separate certificate shall be obtained from the medical examiner and submitted to the NOR facility with the burial permit pursuant to RSA 325-B.
When the body is to be disposed by natural organic reduction (NOR), at least 48 hours shall elapse before NOR can take place in accordance with RSA 325-B and a separate certificate shall be obtained from the medical examiner and submitted to the NOR facility with the burial permit pursuant to RSA 325-B.
I.
HB 1457-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE - Page 11 - I.
Assistant deputy medical examiners shall be paid at the following rattelephone consultations-$25;
Assistant deputy medical examiners shall be paid at the following rates:telephone consultations-$25;
LBA 26-2919 11/25/25 HB 1457-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS INTRODUCED AN ACT relative to natural organic reduction of human remains.
LBA 26-2919 2/24/26 HB 1457-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2026-0560h) AN ACT relative to natural organic reduction of human remains.
Estimated State Impact FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 Indeterminable Indeterminable Indeterminable Increase Increase Increase Revenue $0 ($10,000 to ($10,000 to ($10,000 to $100,000) $100,000) $100,000) Revenue Fund(s) Office of Professional Licensure and Certification Fund Indeterminable Indeterminable Indeterminable Expenditures* $0 Increase Increase Increase ($10,000 to ($10,000 to ($10,000 to $100,000) $100,000) $100,000) Funding Source(s) Office of Professional Licensure and Certification Fund Appropriations* $0 $0 $0 $0 Funding Source(s) None *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill METHODOLOGY:
Estimated State Impact FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 Indeterminable Indeterminable Indeterminable Revenue $0 Increase Increase Increase ($10,000 to ($10,000 to ($10,000 to $100,000) $100,000) $100,000) Office of Professional Licensure and Certification Fund Revenue Fund(s) Indeterminable Indeterminable Indeterminable Increase Increase Increase Expenditures* $0 ($10,000 to ($10,000 to ($10,000 to $100,000) $100,000) $100,000) Funding Source(s) Office of Professional Licensure and Certification Fund Appropriations* $0 $0 $0 $0 Funding Source(s) None *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill METHODOLOGY:
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Action History

  1. Inexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 04/23/2026; SJ 10

  2. Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate, 04/23/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 15A

  3. Hearing: 04/07/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:50 pm; SC 13

  4. Introduced 03/26/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7

  5. Ought to Pass: MA VV 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 8

  6. Committee Report: Ought to Pass 03/17/2026 (Vote 25-0; RC)

  7. Executive Session: 03/17/2026 10:00 am GP 230

  8. Division I Work Session: 03/09/2026 10:00 am GP 230

  9. Referred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 71

  10. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0560h: MA DV 301-48 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 71

  11. Amendment # 2026-0560h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 71

  12. Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate

  13. Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0560h 02/11/2026 (Vote 10-4; RC) HC 7 P. 32

  14. Executive Session: 02/11/2026 10:00 am GP 231

  15. Full Committee Work Session: 02/04/2026 11:00 am GP 231

  16. Public Hearing: 01/22/2026 10:30 am GP 153

  17. Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 1 P. 21

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 5 co-sponsors · 409 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (5)

Not signed on (409)

409 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 409 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

environment
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 1457 do?
relative to natural organic reduction of human remains.
Who sponsors HB 1457?
HB 1457 is sponsored by Allison Knab (Democrat), Will Darby (Democrat), Keith Murphy (Republican), Daniel Innis (Republican), David Watters (Democrat), and Jessica LaMontagne (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 1457?
This bill has passed the House. Introduced December 04, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track HB 1457?
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