HB1550

TO: House Judiciary Committee FROM: Rep. Terry W. Roy, Chair of Criminal Justice and Public Safety RE: Questions Regarding the Practical Necessity of HB 1550 DATE: February 25, 2026 ?Chairman Lynn and Members of the Committee, ?I have reviewed HB 1550 and, frankly, I am struggling to find the practical benefit this provides to the citizens of New Hampshire. We are being asked to mandate that Marital Masters and mediators obtain a Justice of the Peace commission and take a specific constitutional oath, yet I see no evidence that this creates a single new protection for the public. ?As someone who values streamlined government, I have the following concerns: ?Redundant Accountability: Marital Masters are already bound by the Code of Judicial Conduct and the oversight of the Administrative Judge. If they are failing to uphold the law now, why would a JP commission suddenly change the behavior of the Judicial Branch officials responsible for their oversight? ?The "Same People" Issue: Even with this bill, the same gatekeepers remain in place. An unhappy litigant alleging unconstitutional behavior will still be filtered through the same internal judicial processes. This bill offers the illusion of a new remedy without providing an actual one. ?Fiscal Burden: We are essentially asking the Judicial Branch to spend taxpayer dollars on $75 commission fees for people who are already under contract and already sworn to uphold our laws. ?Unless the sponsors can point to a specific instance where a Marital Master could not be removed under current law but could be removed under this bill, I see this as nothing more than administrative bloat. I urge the committee to look closely at whether this bill accomplishes anything beyond adding more paperwork to an already burdened system. ?Respectfully, ?Rep. Terry W. Roy

More regulation that is not needed, and will burden those that are involved.