This bill mandates that in criminal cases resulting in a not guilty verdict or when charges are discontinued, the court must order the immediate return of any seized firearms or ammunition. Specifically, it stipulates that if the firearm was seized solely due to a criminal proceeding, such as a bail order, the court shall not conduct a background check before returning the property. The law enforcement agency is required to return the seized items within 24 hours of the court's order. The bill amends the introductory paragraph of RSA 159-D:4, II to include these provisions, emphasizing the expedited return process without the need for background checks in these circumstances.

The fiscal impact of the bill is projected to increase state expenditures by approximately $45,000 annually, primarily due to overtime costs incurred by the Division of State Police to comply with the 24-hour return requirement. This cost will be shared between the General Fund and the Highway Fund. Additionally, local law enforcement agencies may also face indeterminable overtime expenses to meet the same requirement. The Judicial Branch has indicated that any fiscal impact from the bill can be absorbed within their existing budget. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.