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HB1178 • 2026

relative to permissible window tinting on motor vehicles.

relative to permissible window tinting on motor vehicles.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Joseph Barton (R), James Thibault (R), Alice Wade (D), Samuel Farrington (R)
Last action
2026-03-12
Official status
HOUSE
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

relative to permissible window tinting on motor vehicles.

relative to permissible window tinting on motor vehicles.

What This Bill Does

  • relative to permissible window tinting on motor vehicles.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-12 H

    Ought to Pass: MF DV 158-187 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 72

  2. 2026-03-12 H

    Inexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 204-143 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 72

  3. 2026-03-04 H

    Committee Report: Without Recommendation 03/03/2026 (Vote 10-10; RC) HC 10 P. 74

  4. 2026-02-18 H

    Executive Session: 03/03/2026 11:00 am GP 234

  5. 2026-02-11 H

    Public Hearing: 02/17/2026 11:20 am GP 234

  6. 2025-12-01 H

    Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Transportation HJ 1 P. 9

Official Summary Text

relative to permissible window tinting on motor vehicles.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HB 1178 - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION
26-2474
06/05

HOUSE BILL
1178

AN ACT
relative to permissible window tinting on motor vehicles.

SPONSORS: Rep. Barton, Graf. 1; Rep. Farrington, Straf. 8; Rep. Thibault, Merr. 25; Rep. Wade, Straf. 15

COMMITTEE: Transportation

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ANALYSIS

This bill allows aftermarket tinting on the front side windows if they allow at least 35 percent light transmittance and creates a medical exemption for similar tinting.

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2474
06/05

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT
relative to permissible window tinting on motor vehicles.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Paragraph; Tinted Glass. Amend RSA 266:58-a by inserting after paragraph VI the following new paragraph:
VII. After-market tinting shall be permitted on the windows to the left and right of the driver, provided the windows maintain a minimum visible light transmittance of 35 percent, as measured in accordance with applicable testing standards.

2 Equipment Waiver for Disabled. Amend RSA 266:61-a, IX to read as follows:
IX. The commissioner
shall establish testing and measurement procedures to ensure compliance with RSA 266:58-a. The commissioner
may
also
waive the requirements of RSA 266:58-a and issue a special permit to a person who for bona fide medical reasons requires after market tinting on the windshield or on the windows to the left and right of the driver and who applies for such permit. Such waiver shall be granted in accordance with this section and shall only authorize the use of after market tinted windows with a
visible
light transmittance of not less than 35 percent. In reviewing the application for a permit under this paragraph, the commissioner may seek the advice and recommendation of a medical review board designated by him or her for such purpose. Any medical certification or documentation required for a waiver under this section may be provided by a medical provider licensed in this state or by a licensed medical provider affiliated with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), regardless of the state of licensure.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.