WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 330

relative to establishing penalties for violations of the confidentiality of motor vehicle records.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Cy Aures and 4 co-sponsors

HB 330 would penalize unauthorized access/disclosure of confidential motor vehicle records to deter misuse by those with lawful access.

Inexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 47
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 330

Bill Summary: HB 330 (New Hampshire, 2026) – Penalties for Violations of Motor Vehicle Records Confidentiality

1) Purpose and Intent

  • HB 330 aims to establish penalties for violations of the confidentiality protections governing motor vehicle records in New Hampshire.
  • The bill seeks to deter improper access or dissemination of personal information contained in motor vehicle records by specifying criminal or civil penalties for unauthorized use or disclosure.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

  • Establishes penalties for violations of confidential motor vehicle records. Details typically addressed in similar NH bills include:
    • Prohibiting unauthorized access to or disclosure of motor vehicle records by individuals with access (e.g., law enforcement, DMV personnel, or authorized third parties) and imposing specified penalties for violations.
    • Defining the scope of records protected (e.g., personal identifiers, license information, addresses, and other sensitive data).
    • Outlining enforcement mechanisms and potential remedies or penalties, which may include fines, imprisonment, or both, and any aggravating factors (e.g., misuse for fraud, identity theft, or commercial purposes).
  • The exact statutory language is not provided in the available action history, but the bill’s title indicates a focus on penalties, which commonly means:
    • Classifications or degrees of offenses with corresponding penalties.
    • Possible enhancements for repeat offenders or for violations involving certain sensitive data.
    • Procedures for how violations are prosecuted and adjudicated.

3) Who Is Affected

  • Primary targets: Individuals who access or handle confidential motor vehicle records (e.g., DMV employees, authorized contractors, law enforcement officers).
  • Secondary targets: Individuals or entities who might misuse confidential motor vehicle information, including persons who obtain records unlawfully and use the information fraudulently.
  • Civilian users of motor vehicle records would be indirectly affected through stronger privacy protections and potential penalties against misuse by authorized personnel.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: January 8, 2025; referred to the Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee.
  • Public hearing held: February 5, 2025.
  • Committee action: Retained in committee (March 5, 2025); later proceedings indicate scheduling for executive session and additional committee work.
  • 2025 Committee outcome: Reported as “Inexpedient to Legislate” (vote 16-0, CC) on or around October 22, 2025.
  • 2026 status: Action history shows an “Inexpedient to Legislate” designation carried forward (January 7, 2026), suggesting the bill was not advanced to a floor vote or enactment in its then form.
  • Implications of an “Inexpedient to Legislate” designation:
    • The bill did not progress to become law in its current form.
    • It may be reconsidered in future sessions with modifications or different legislative priorities.

5) Potential Impact and Considerations

  • If enacted, the bill would strengthen privacy protections for individuals by imposing penalties for improper handling of confidential motor vehicle data.
  • It could deter potential misuse among those with access to motor vehicle records and provide clearer accountability.
  • The precise penalties (e.g., fines amount, jail time, classifications of offenses) and any exemptions or procedures would determine the practical impact on agencies and individuals.
  • Given the bill’s current legislative history, any future action would depend on revisions to address concerns raised during committee review or to align with broader privacy and data protection standards.

If you have access to the bill’s full text, I can extract and summarize the exact statutory language, fines, offense classifications, and any exemptions or enforcement provisions for a more precise outline.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.