New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

New Hampshire House Bill HB697

Introduced

1/21/25

Refer

1/21/25

Report Pass

2/4/25

Engrossed

3/11/25

Refer

3/11/25

Refer

4/24/25

Refer

5/1/25

Refer

10/29/25

Caption

Relative to witness fees in criminal cases.

Impact

The potential impact of HB697 on state laws lies in its adjustment of how witnesses are compensated in criminal proceedings. Currently, civilian witnesses do not receive compensation for their initial court appearance. However, with the introduction of this bill, witnesses will be encouraged to fulfill their obligations in legal proceedings without bearing financial burdens for attendance on multiple days. This change could enhance participation rates of witnesses in criminal trials, thereby reinforcing the judicial process.

Summary

House Bill 697 (HB697) proposes a modification to the existing regulations regarding witness fees in criminal cases within New Hampshire. The bill allows for civilian witnesses who are summoned to court and are required to return on subsequent days for testimony to receive compensation for their attendance and related travel expenses. Specifically, the bill establishes that these witnesses are entitled to daily attendance fees and mileage reimbursement, in accordance with federal standards specified in 28 U.S.C. section 1821.

Contention

Discussions around HB697 may involve points of contention regarding the financial implications for the state. The fiscal note accompanying the bill points out that the exact financial impact is indeterminable, contingent upon how often witnesses are required to testify on multiple occasions. This could lead to increased expenditures for the state related to these reimbursement costs. Conversely, it may be argued that proper compensation can ensure that the legal system operates efficiently with necessary witness testimonies being available when required.

Companion Bills

NH HB697

Carry Over Relative to witness fees in criminal cases.

Previously Filed As

NH HB697

Relative to witness fees in criminal cases.

NH HB327

Relative to filing for office and witnessing affidavits.

NH HB474

Requiring a second witness at the counting of write-in votes.

NH HB762

Appropriating $30,000 to the judicial branch for the purpose of hiring a contractor to conduct a manual review of domestic violence and stalking cases and related criminal cases.

NH HB611

Relative to repayment regarding appointed counsel for indigent criminal defendants.

NH HB553

Relative to the definition of abuse and neglect and conditions triggering a rebuttable presumption of harm in abuse and neglect cases.

NH HB473

Criminalizing multiple forms of exposing children to controlled substances and allowing law enforcement to take a child into protective custody for screening and testing in an instance of suspected or actual criminal exposure to controlled substances.

NH HB243

Relative to relative to the penalty for false reports of suspected abuse and neglect made to the division for children, youth, and families, and relative to the maternal mortality review committee, electric vehicle charging stations and fees for annual testing by the division of weights and measures, and relative to the acceptance of portraits of Senator Sylvia Larsen and Senator Jeb Bradley for the state house.

NH HB57

Relative to the standards applicable to bail in criminal matters.

NH HB615

Relative to drug forfeiture proceedings.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.