HB 1685 — establishing a committee to study aiding the growth of assistive technology businesses and adoption of assistive technologies in New Hampshire.
Last action — Sen. Rochefort Refused to Accede to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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3Passed House
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4Passed Senate
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has passed the House. Introduced December 12, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
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Passed House
Current position in the legislative process.
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1 sponsor
1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 D).
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
Summary
(Second New Title) establishing a committee to study aiding the growth of assistive technology businesses and adoption of assistive technologies in New Hampshire.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
59 added · 30 removedPlain-language change summary
The amendments to HB 1685 shift the focus from creating a broad "technology-first" commission to a more specialized "Assistive Technology Commission" aimed specifically at promoting the growth of assistive technology businesses and technologies in New Hampshire. The updated commission will include a user of assistive technology and a parent of a user, ensuring that real-life experiences are represented in discussions and decisions. These changes matter because they target the needs of individuals who use assistive technology, potentially leading to better support and resources in this important area.
HB 1685 - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATEHOUSE 5Mar2026...
0751h 04/16/2026 1430s SESSION 26-3121 07/06 HOUSE BILL 1685 AN ACT establishing a committeecommission to study aiding the growth of assistive technology businesses and adoption of assistive technologies in New Hampshire.
Science, Technology and Energy ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── AMENDED ANALYSIS This bill establishes a committeecommission to study aiding the growth of assistive technology businesses and adoption of assistive technologies in New Hampshire.
HB 1685 - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATEHOUSE 5Mar2026...
0751h 04/16/2026 1430s 26-3121 07/06 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT establishing a committeecommission to study aiding the growth of assistive technology businesses and adoption of assistive technologies in New Hampshire.
1 CommitteeNew Established.Section;
ThereThe isState established a committee to study how to aid the growth of assistive technology businesses and speedIts upGovernment; the adoption of assistive technologies in New Hampshire.
2Department Membershipof andInformation Compensation.Technology;
Assistive Technology Commission.
Amend RSA 21-R by inserting after section 9-a the following new section:
21-R:9-b Assistive Technology Commission.
TheThere membersis ofestablished thea committeecommission shallto consistaid ofthe 3growth members of theassistive housetechnology ofbusinesses representatives,and appointedspeed by the speakeradoption of theassistive housetechnologies ofin representatives.New Hampshire.
LegislativeNotwithstanding membersRSA of14:49, theII, committee shall receive mileage at the legislativemembers rateof when attending to the dutiescommission ofshall thebe committee.as follows:
3(a) Duties.A user of assistive technology, appointed by the governor.
The(b) committeeA shall:parent of a user of assistive technology with no relationship to the member under subparagraph (a), appointed by the governor.
(c) One representative from the department of education, appointed by the commissioner of the department of education.
(d) One representative from the bureau of vocational rehabilitation, appointed by the commissioner of the bureau of vocational rehabilitation.
(e) One representative from the bureau of developmental services, appointed by the commissioner of the department of health and human services.
(f) One representative from an assistive technology non-profit group in New Hampshire, appointed by the governor.
(g) One representative from a disability non-profit organization, appointed by the governor.
(h) One representative from the New Hampshire house committee on health, human services and elderly affairs, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(i) One representative from the senate committee on health and human services, appointed by the president of the senate.
(j) One representative from an assistive technology or medical technology business located in New Hampshire, appointed by the governor.
(k) One representative from the department of business and economic affairs, appointed by the commissioner of the department of business and economic affairs.
(l) One representative of a veteran’s organization, 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.
HB 1685 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE - Page 2 - IV.
The commission shall:
(a) Study and identify appropriate benchmarks for the increased implementation of assistive technologies for the use of New Hampshire residents in need of the same.
(b) Study and identify appropriate measures for attracting assistive technology businesses to New Hampshire.
(c) Conduct other activities as deemed necessary by the commission, including the formation of subcommittees and naming any appropriate new members to form the same.
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 house member.
The first meeting of the commission shall be held on September 1, 2026.
The commission shall meet every 90 days, and hold a final meeting on September 30, 2027.
Eight members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
VI.
The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house committee on health, human services and elderly affairs, the senate committee on health and human services, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before October 1, 2027.
Show all 57 changed lines (17 more)
2 Repeal.
RSA 21-R:9-b, relative to the assistive technology commission, is repealed.
3 Effective Date.
StudySection and2 identify appropriate benchmarks for the increased implementation of assistivethis technologiesact forshall thetake useeffect ofOctober New1, Hampshire2027. residents in need of the same.
StudyThe andremainder identifyof appropriatethis measuresact forshall attractingtake assistiveeffect technologyupon businessesits topassage. New Hampshire.
III.
Conduct other activities as deemed necessary by the commission, including the formation of subcommittees and naming any appropriate new members to form the same.
4 Chairperson;
Quorum.
The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members.
The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member.
The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.
Two members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
5 Report.
The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2026.
6 Effective Date.
This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Show all 57 changed rows (17 more)
View plain text versions (3)
- Amended As Amended by the House pdf
- Amended As Amended by the Senate Current pdf
- Introduced View text pdf
Action History
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Sen. Rochefort Refused to Accede to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
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Speaker Appoints: Reps. D. Thomas, Caplan, Parshall, Vose 04/23/2026 HJ 11
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House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1430s (Rep. Vose): MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11
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Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1430s, 04/16/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 14A
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Committee Amendment # 2026-1430s, AA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
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Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1430s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
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Hearing: 03/18/2026, Room 100, SH, 10:15 am; SC 10
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Introduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 6
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Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0751h: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 36
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Amendment # 2026-0751h: AA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 35
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Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0751h (NT) 02/17/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 9 P. 27
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Executive Session: 02/17/2026 10:00 am GP 229
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Public Hearing: 02/09/2026 01:00 pm GP 229
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Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 1 P. 31
Sponsors
- Heath Howard · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 414 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
- Heath Howard Democrat
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (414)
414 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 414 →"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.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does HB 1685 do?
- (Second New Title) establishing a committee to study aiding the growth of assistive technology businesses and adoption of assistive technologies in New Hampshire.
- Who sponsors HB 1685?
- HB 1685 is sponsored by Heath Howard (Democrat).
- What is the current status of HB 1685?
- This bill has passed the House. Introduced December 12, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
- Where can I track HB 1685?
- Track HB 1685 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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