SB 58-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
03/06/2025 0377s
2025 SESSION
25-1017
09/11
SENATE BILL58-FN
AN ACTrelative to venue in criminal prosecutions of distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting.
SPONSORS:Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Reardon, Dist 15; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Rochefort, Dist 1; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Rep. Moffett, Merr. 4; Rep. Seaworth, Merr. 12; Rep. Wood, Merr. 13; Rep. Aures, Merr. 13
COMMITTEE:Judiciary
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill broadens criminal venue to allow for prosecution of the crime of distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting in the jurisdiction where either the death occurred or where the manufacturing, selling, or dispensing took place.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/06/2025 0377s25-1017
09/11
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACTrelative to venue in criminal prosecutions of distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraph; Distribution of a Controlled Drug with Death Resulting; Venue. Amend RSA 318-B:26 by inserting after paragraph IX-a the following new paragraph:
IX-b. A prosecution for an offense under paragraph IX of this section may be commenced in the jurisdiction where either the death occurred or the manufacturing, selling, or dispensing took place.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.
LBA
25-1017
Revised 1/16/25
SB 58-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACTrelative to venue in criminal cases.
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding.
Estimated State Impact
FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028
Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0
Revenue Fund(s) None
Expenditures* $0 Indeterminable Increase ($10,000 to $100,000) Indeterminable Increase ($10,000 to $100,000) Indeterminable Increase ($10,000 to $100,000)
Funding Source(s) General Fund
Appropriations* $0 $0 $0 $0
Funding Source(s) None
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill
Estimated State Impact
FY 2025
FY 2026
FY 2027
FY 2028
Revenue
$0
$0
$0
$0
Revenue Fund(s)
None
Expenditures*
$0
Indeterminable Increase ($10,000 to $100,000)
Indeterminable Increase ($10,000 to $100,000)
Indeterminable Increase ($10,000 to $100,000)
Funding Source(s)
General Fund
Appropriations*
$0
$0
$0
$0
Funding Source(s)
None
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill
METHODOLOGY:
This bill allows for a prosecution to be brought in a any venue where an element of that crime has occurred. The Department of Justice states this bill could increase General Fund expenditures, potentially ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, depending on prosecution costs affected by the location of witnesses. Cases may be brought in venues that require witnesses to incur greater travel expenses. However, the specific fiscal impact related to witness costs remains indeterminable at this time.
The Judicial Branch states this bill has the potential to increase General Fund expenditures by $10,000 or less due to the additional costs associated with an increase in litigation.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Justice and Judicial Branch