New HampshireCivilian witnesses would get fees for qualifying criminal court returns
Civilian witnesses who appear as directed would get fees if, through no fault of their own, they must return to testify in the same criminal case.
What it does
Civilian witnesses who appear as directed and must return through no fault of their own to testify in the same criminal case would get fees for later court days. Travel pay would require leaving their home town or city.
People summoned as witnesses in criminal cases would get no fee for their first court appearance, even if they later qualify for return-day fees.
Argument forCivilian witnesses who must return through no fault of their own could get help with extra court costs, including some travel costs.
Argument againstPaying witnesses for return days could raise state costs, while the bill sets aside no money and leaves unclear which state office would pay.
More detail
Civilian witnesses would receive a daily fee for each qualifying return day. This covers civilian witnesses who appear as directed in a criminal case. They must return through no fault of their own to testify in the same case. Travel pay would apply only if they must leave their home town or city. Daily fees and travel pay would follow federal witness rates. Fees would apply to the second and later court days. The text names January 1, 2026, as the bill's proposed start date.
A witness would receive no fee for an initial court appearance. This applies to anyone summoned to appear as a witness in a criminal case.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jan 7Refer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 01/07/2026; SJ 1Latest
- 2025
- Oct 29Committee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 01/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 46
- May 1Rereferred to Committee, MA, VV; 05/01/2025; SJ 11Minor
- Apr 24Committee Report: Rereferred to Committee, 05/01/2025, Vote 4-0, CC SC 19
- Mar 27Hearing: 04/03/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 15
- Mar 12Hearing: 03/18/2025, Room 100, SH, 02:15 pm; SC 13
- Mar 11Introduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7Minor
- Feb 13Ought to Pass: MA VV 02/13/2025 HJ 5 P. 12Passed House
- Feb 4Committee Report: Ought to Pass 02/03/2025 (Vote 11-1; CC) HC 11 P. 7Minor
- Feb 4Executive Session: 02/03/2025 11:15 am LOB 206-208
- Jan 29Public Hearing: 02/03/2025 11:15 am LOB 206-208
- Jan 21Introduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Judiciary HJ 3 P. 23Introduced
Criminal Justice