Committee Summary for House Judiciary (04/22/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB148 00:12:42.639 - 8:09:39 AM	General Working Session	prohibiting those convicted of murder from financially profiting from the death of the victim.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)

SB148: Subcommittee Chair Information Only00:12:42.639 - 8:09:39 AM; The subcommittee chair opened the session with the pledge of allegiance and discussed the progress on SB 148. They mentioned consulting the committee chair for legal language regarding probate and introduced an amendment. The chair noted that Representative Burge also had an amendment, and they planned to focus on reconciling the differences between the amendments referred to as the Lynn and Birch amendments.
SB148: Representative Information Only00:13:44.800 - 8:10:41 AM; The representative discussed the differences between the Lynn and Birch amendments, focusing on two main areas of disagreement: the scope of murder covered by the bill (first degree only or first and second degree plus federal cognate laws) and the right to bring a civil suit before any criminal charges or convictions. They highlighted the effective date in the Lynn amendment and expressed concerns about the practicality of the amendment's provisions, particularly regarding the administrative and practical issues of allowing a civil suit to determine inheritance rights before a criminal conviction.
SB148: Representative Information Only00:15:07.959 - 8:12:04 AM; The representative clarified the language in the Lynn amendment concerning the absence of a criminal conviction and the establishment of individual status by a civil judgment. They also pointed out the differences in amendments dated April 21st, specifically identifying 1684H as the relevant one. They raised concerns about the timing of civil suits under the amendment and its potential impact on inheritance disputes, particularly in scenarios involving potential criminal investigations without formal charges.
SB148: Representative Information Only00:18:07.520 - 8:15:04 AM; The representative further discussed the implications of the Lynn amendment, focusing on a scenario where a civil suit is brought to determine inheritance rights before any criminal charges. They emphasized the potential administrative burden and the role of the Department of Justice in such cases, expressing skepticism about the amendment's effectiveness and practicality in handling inheritance disputes before a conviction.
SB148: Unidentified Speaker 1 Information Only00:21:22.559 - 8:18:19 AM; The speaker discussed the role of the Department of Justice in civil cases involving minors, specifically in the context of murder cases. They suggested that the Justice Department should have the ability to request a stay in civil proceedings to decide on potential criminal charges. The discussion highlighted the tension between civil and criminal proceedings and the potential impact on the defendant's right to remain silent.
SB148: Unidentified Speaker 2 Information Only00:22:48.320 - 8:19:45 AM; This speaker proposed setting a definitive timeline, such as 90 days, for the Justice Department to decide on filing charges. They pointed out the issue with no statute of limitations in murder cases and the complications this could cause in civil proceedings.
SB148: Unidentified Speaker 3 Information Only00:23:59.320 - 8:20:56 AM; The speaker raised concerns about the implications of a civil case proceeding before criminal conviction, especially the defendant's inability to defend themselves without incriminating themselves. They also discussed the potential delay in children accessing money they are entitled to due to the legal process.
SB148: Unidentified Speaker 4 Information Only00:25:19.440 - 8:22:16 AM; This speaker suggested amending the bill to address issues related to murder convictions and civil actions for damages. They discussed the timing of probate decisions and the necessity of allowing victims to recover damages post-conviction.
SB148: Unidentified Speaker 5 Information Only00:26:36.640 - 8:23:33 AM; The speaker discussed the different standards of proof between civil and criminal courts and the potential delay in accessing funds for children due to the legal process. They emphasized the need for clarity in the law to prevent wrongful deprivation of funds.
SB148: Unidentified Speaker 6 Information Only00:27:48.559 - 8:24:45 AM; This speaker reiterated the problem of civil proceedings potentially yanking funds from a defendant who may not be charged or convicted, and the difficulty in defending oneself in civil court without incriminating oneself in potential criminal proceedings.
SB148: Unidentified Speaker 7 Information Only00:40:08.400 - 8:37:05 AM; The speaker proposed specific amendments to the bill, focusing on removing certain sections and clarifying the definition of a victim post-conviction. They discussed the need to ensure that the person convicted of the murder is not considered a victim.
SB148: Unidentified Speaker 8 Information Only00:42:40.520 - 8:39:37 AM; This speaker continued the discussion on amendments, focusing on the definition of a victim in the context of murder and the need to clarify that the convicted person should not be considered a victim. They proposed simplifying the language to make it clear and effective.
SB148: Unidentified Speaker 9 Information Only00:44:50.960 - 8:41:47 AM; The speaker suggested further refining the definition of a victim to exclude the person convicted of the murder, emphasizing the need for specificity to avoid confusion with other crimes.
SB148: Unidentified Speaker 10 Information Only00:46:12.920 - 8:43:09 AM; This speaker proposed a final amendment to the definition of a victim, ensuring that it explicitly excludes the person convicted of the specific murder in question, to avoid any ambiguity.
SB148: Unidentified Speaker 1 Information Only00:47:50.800 - 8:44:47 AM; The speaker discusses changes to the bill, focusing on clarifying that the definition of a victim shall not include the person convicted of the murder. They discuss the language to be used in the amendment, specifically about excluding the convicted murderer from being defined as a victim.
SB148: Unidentified Speaker 2 Information Only00:49:45.040 - 8:46:42 AM; The speaker suggests adding a sentence to the bill to clarify that if the person convicted of murder is an immediate family member, they shall not be defined as a victim under this chapter. They discuss the placement and wording of this addition.
SB148: Unidentified Speaker 3 Information Only00:51:11.440 - 8:48:08 AM; The speaker confirms the amendment language and discusses the placement of the definition of victim within the bill, suggesting it should be moved to the definitional section.
SB148: Unidentified Speaker 4 Information Only00:54:02.800 - 8:50:59 AM; The speaker reviews changes to the bill, including corrections of typos and deletions of certain sections. They also discuss the implications of the bill on revocable and irrevocable trusts.
SB148: Unidentified Speaker 5 Information Only00:56:51.839 - 8:53:48 AM; The speaker raises concerns about the jurisdiction of the probate court in relation to the bill, and the handling of forfeited property and payments before and after conviction.
SB148: Unidentified Speaker 6 Information Only01:02:47.000 - 8:59:44 AM; The speaker discusses the protection of third parties under the bill, suggesting that certain paragraphs be removed to clarify the responsibilities of third parties in handling payments or property related to the convicted person.
SB148: Unidentified Speaker 7 Information Only01:08:43.839 - 9:05:40 AM; The speaker addresses the issue of innocent third-party buyers and their rights under the bill, ensuring that their purchases are protected and that any profits from the sale of property by the convicted go to the victim's family.
SB148: Unidentified Speaker 7 Information Only01:10:48.800 - 9:07:45 AM; The speaker concluded their testimony by discussing the definition of 'victim' for the purposes of the chapter related to SB 148. They mentioned that the victim includes the estate of any victim of an offense under RSA 631 A, or the immediate family of the victim, but explicitly excludes the person convicted of the offense. They also added a note about including the murder of the victim in the section. The session ended shortly after with the speaker indicating that they were done and the meeting was adjourned.

Lynn, Bob(Chairman)(R)[A]2024	Peternel, Katy(Clerk)(R)[A]2024	Mannion, Dennis(V Chairman)(R)[A-]2024
Smith, Marjorie(D)[CT]2024	Bergeron, Dan(D)	Horrigan, Timothy(D)[CT]2024
Berch, Paul(D)[INC]2022	Turer, Eric(D)[CT]2024	Tripp, Richard(R)[B+]2024
Andrus, Louise(R)[B+]2024	Manos, Zoe(D)[CT]2024	Perez, Kristine(R)[A]2024
Kuttab, Katelyn(R)[A-]2024	Alexander, Joe(R)[A]2024	McFarlane, Donald(R)
Rombeau, Catherine(D)[CT]2024	Paige, Mark(D)[CT]2024	Morton, Jonathan(R)