Committee hears that voluntary liquor-store video and low-cost materials followed HB 1621 interim study

The Commerce and Consumer Affairs committee heard testimony that a voluntary public-service video and related outreach are already running in some New Hampshire State Liquor Commission stores after House Bill 1621 was sent to interim study.

Representative Tore, who reintroduced House Bill 1621 to require distribution of information about alcohol use disorder, told the committee the State Liquor Commission and other stakeholders agreed to create a looping video for stores with screens rather than pursue mandatory legislation. The sponsor called the resulting video "empowering" and "non-stigmatizing," and said it was produced with outside grant funding.

"This message brought to you by the New Hampshire State Liquor Commission," the sponsor noted as the video’s closing line, a detail supporters said lends direct credibility to outreach that reaches customers at point of sale.

Committee members questioned how best to make the outreach stick beyond a 30-second in-store impression. Representative Gibbs asked whether printing information on receipts would be effective, noting many shoppers decline receipts; the sponsor said the original bill left distribution methods flexible and mentioned possibilities including printed receipts, small take-home cards, electronic receipts and referral contacts such as 988 or 211.

Representative Petusek recounted observing store traffic in Derry and said she saw the video twice in a 15–20 minute visit but that only three customers accepted printed receipts at two registers during that time. "If you save one life, it's worth it," she told the committee when urged that the measures are worthwhile even with limited uptake.

Kate Fry of New Futures said the Strong as Granite campaign was incorporated to ensure the messaging is evidence-based and asked the committee to consider the program’s sustainability and whether future budget requests should include funding to preserve or expand the outreach.

The committee did not vote on HB 1621; members described the current approach as a promising voluntary outcome of the interim process and encouraged further testing of distribution methods and measures of effectiveness. Chairman Hunt asked the Liquor Commission to consider including 988 in materials and to report back on implementation and durability as subcommittee work continues.