Committee Summary for House Election Law (03/18/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB418 00:04:20.440 - 9:02:21 AM	Executive Session	relative to eligibility for absentee voting.	Sellers, John(R)[A-]2025
HB420 00:07:39.240 - 9:05:40 AM	Executive Session	relative to the chain of custody for ballots.	Sabourin dit Choinière, Matt(R)[A-]2025
HB423 00:10:12.800 - 9:08:13 AM	Executive Session	requiring the consent of property owners for the placement of political advertisements on public property abutting their land.	Weyler, Kenneth(R)[A-]2025
HB574 00:14:42.320 - 9:12:43 AM	Executive Session	requiring background checks of the private companies and their contractors who program and maintain New Hampshire voting machines.	Burnham, Claudine(R)[A-]2025
HB618 00:16:27.680 - 9:14:28 AM	Executive Session	enables election officials to verify the single use of an out-of-state driver's license presented when a person votes by using the centralized voter registration database.	See, Alvin(R)[A-]2025
HB684 00:18:58.799 - 9:16:59 AM	Executive Session	preventing the use of student identification cards as a means to obtain a ballot.	Potenza, Kelley(R)[A]2025
HB686 00:21:14.880 - 9:19:15 AM	Executive Session	requiring a voter to provide identification when requesting an absentee ballot.	Potenza, Kelley(R)[A]2025
HB160 00:23:50.799 - 9:21:51 AM	Executive Session	relative to the contents of the pre-election certificate.	Burnham, Claudine(R)[A-]2025
HB289 00:25:33.120 - 9:23:34 AM	Executive Session	regarding domicile qualifications for voting.	Wherry, Robert(R)[A-]2025
HB323 00:27:33.679 - 9:25:34 AM	Executive Session	requiring the presentation of a government-issued photographic means of identification in order to vote.	McFarlane, Donald(R)[A]2025
HB693 2025-0163H 00:33:36.240 - 9:31:37 AM	Executive Session	relative to ballot counting procedures and permitting the hand counting of ballots.	Porcelli, Susan(R)[B]2025
HB590 2025-0690H 00:56:38.319 - 9:54:39 AM	Executive Session	relative to cooperative school district school board elections.	Andrus, Louise(R)[C+]2025
HB385 2025-0656H 01:12:54.159 - 10:10:55 AM	Executive Session	reestablishing voter identification exceptions.	Lane, Connie(D)[CT]2025
HB412 01:24:02.719 - 10:22:03 AM	Executive Session	relative to elections and appointments to fill vacancies of local cooperative school boards.	Spilsbury, Walter(R)[A-]2025
HB217 01:26:16.560 - 10:24:17 AM	Executive Session	relative to absentee ballots.	Lynn, Bob(R)[B]2025
HB281 01:32:55.040 - 10:30:56 AM	Executive Session	requiring electronic voter checklists to be supplied in a sortable format.	Wherry, Robert(R)[A-]2025
HB341 01:35:52.800 - 10:33:53 AM	Executive Session	requiring the secretary of state to check voter records prior to every election.	Ward, Gerald(D)[F]2025
HB270 2025-1053H 01:39:54.600 - 10:37:55 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) requiring the preservation of electronic ballot counting device external storage devices.	Burnham, Claudine(R)[A-]2025
HB367 2025-1070H 02:02:54.800 - 11:00:55 AM	Executive Session	changing the method for adopting partisan town elections to be the same as rescinding partisan town elections.	Wherry, Robert(R)[A-]2025

HB418: Vice Chairman Information Only00:04:20.440 - 9:02:21 AM; The Vice Chairman opened the executive session on HB418 and announced that they would start with the bills expected to achieve consensus due to the chairman's delay. He also mentioned that Representative Wary would make a motion.
HB418: Representative Wary Information Only00:05:34.880 - 9:03:35 AM; Representative Wary made a motion of inexpedient to legislate on HB418. He explained that this bill was one of several considered by the subcommittee, and they decided to retain another similar bill, rendering HB418 inexpedient to legislate.
HB418: Vice Chairman Information Only00:06:24.319 - 9:04:25 AM; The Vice Chairman confirmed the presence of a quorum and proceeded with the roll call vote on the motion to find HB418 inexpedient to legislate. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 16-0, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar.
HB420: Vice Chairman Information Only00:07:39.240 - 9:05:40 AM; The Vice Chairman opened the executive session on HB420 and announced that Representative Toner would make a motion.
HB420: Representative Toner Information Only00:08:53.040 - 9:06:54 AM; Representative Toner made a motion of inexpedient to legislate on HB420. He chose not to discuss his motion further.
HB420: Vice Chairman Information Only00:08:53.040 - 9:06:54 AM; The Vice Chairman confirmed the presence of a quorum and proceeded with the roll call vote on the motion to find HB420 inexpedient to legislate. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 16-0, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar.
HB423: Representative Wood Information Only00:10:12.800 - 9:08:13 AM; Representative Wood moved to recommend HB423 as Inexpedient To Legislate (ITL), citing potential confusion in the bill's language regarding who can place signs on public property adjacent to private property.
HB423: Representative Ford Information Only00:11:34.000 - 9:09:35 AM; Representative Ford discussed the need to protect private citizens' rights regarding signage on adjacent public property but highlighted issues with the bill's definition of abutting property.
HB423: Representative Newsome Oppose00:12:24.800 - 9:10:25 AM; Representative Newsome opposed HB423, arguing that it would unconstitutionally transfer control of speech on state property to private individuals without regulation of the speech's content.
HB574: Representative C Information Only00:14:42.320 - 9:12:43 AM; Representative C moved to recommend HB574 as Inexpedient To Legislate, suggesting the motion.
HB574: Representative Weary Information Only00:15:30.000 - 9:13:31 AM; Representative Weary noted the good intentions behind HB574 to deter fraud but found the bill impractical as written.
HB618: Chairman Barry Information Only00:16:27.680 - 9:14:28 AM; Chairman Barry opened the executive session for HB618, indicating the start of discussion on this bill.
HB618: Representative Wood Vote00:16:52.240 - 9:14:53 AM; Representative Wood moved to recommend House Bill 618 as inexpedient to legislate.
HB618: Representative C Vote00:16:52.240 - 9:14:53 AM; Representative C seconded the motion to recommend House Bill 618 as inexpedient to legislate.
HB618: Representative Weary Information Only00:17:51.640 - 9:15:52 AM; Representative Weary explained that House Bill 618 was recommended as inexpedient to legislate by the subcommittee due to the consolidation of similar topics in other bills.
HB618: Chairman Barry Vote00:18:58.799 - 9:16:59 AM; Chairman Barry called the roll for the vote on the motion to recommend House Bill 618 as inexpedient to legislate, which passed unanimously with 18 votes in favor. The bill was placed on the consent calendar, with Representative Wood responsible for the committee report.
HB684: Representative Weary Vote00:18:58.799 - 9:16:59 AM; Representative Weary moved to recommend House Bill 684 as inexpedient to legislate.
HB684: Representative Gazowski Vote00:18:58.799 - 9:16:59 AM; Representative Gazowski seconded the motion to recommend House Bill 684 as inexpedient to legislate.
HB684: Representative Weary Information Only00:20:10.679 - 9:18:11 AM; Representative Weary explained that House Bill 684 was recommended as inexpedient to legislate by the subcommittee due to the consolidation of similar topics in other bills.
HB684: Chairman Barry Vote00:21:14.880 - 9:19:15 AM; Chairman Barry called the roll for the vote on the motion to recommend House Bill 684 as inexpedient to legislate, which passed unanimously with 18 votes in favor. The bill was placed on the consent calendar, with Representative Weary responsible for the committee report.
HB686: Representative Weary Vote00:21:14.880 - 9:19:15 AM; Representative Weary moved to retain House Bill 686.
HB686: Representative Wood Vote00:21:14.880 - 9:19:15 AM; Representative Wood seconded the motion to retain House Bill 686.
HB686: Representative Weary Information Only00:22:23.080 - 9:20:24 AM; Representative Weary explained that the subcommittee recommended retaining House Bill 686 to work on issues related to better control of the absentee ballot processes.
HB686: Chairman Barry Vote00:23:50.799 - 9:21:51 AM; Chairman Barry called the roll for the vote on the motion to retain House Bill 686, which passed unanimously with 18 votes in favor.
HB160: Representative Burnham Vote00:23:50.799 - 9:21:51 AM; Representative Burnham moved to recommend House Bill 160 as inexpedient to legislate.
HB160: Representative Prudome O'Brien Vote00:23:50.799 - 9:21:51 AM; Representative Prudome O'Brien seconded the motion to recommend House Bill 160 as inexpedient to legislate.
HB160: Chairman Barry Vote00:25:04.080 - 9:23:05 AM; Chairman Barry called the roll for the vote on the motion to recommend House Bill 160 as inexpedient to legislate, which passed unanimously with 18 votes in favor. The bill was placed on the consent calendar.
HB289: Representative Weary Vote00:25:33.120 - 9:23:34 AM; Representative Weary moved to retain House Bill 289.
HB289: Representative Wood Vote00:25:33.120 - 9:23:34 AM; Representative Wood seconded the motion to retain House Bill 289.
HB289: Representative Weary Information Only00:26:52.640 - 9:24:53 AM; Representative Weary explained that House Bill 289 was recommended for retention by the subcommittee to continue working on the topic of domicile qualifications for voting.
HB289: Chairman Barry Vote00:26:52.640 - 9:24:53 AM; Chairman Barry called the roll for the vote on the motion to retain House Bill 289, which passed unanimously with 18 votes in favor.
HB323: Representative Weary Information Only00:27:33.679 - 9:25:34 AM; Representative Weary moved to retain House Bill 323, explaining that it was one of the bills before the subcommittee with multiple bills on similar topics. They chose to retain some bills to continue working on them over the summer.
HB323: Representative Wood Information Only00:27:33.679 - 9:25:34 AM; Representative Wood seconded the motion to retain House Bill 323.
HB323: Chairman Barry Information Only00:28:46.159 - 9:26:47 AM; Chairman Barry called for a vote on the motion to retain House Bill 323, which passed unanimously with a vote of 18 to 0. He announced the transmission of the report and closed the executive session on House Bill 323.
HB693 2025-0163H: Representative C Information Only00:33:36.240 - 9:31:37 AM; Representative C moved to pass House Bill 693 and introduced amendment 2025-0163H. He explained that the amendment removed the requirement for privacy folders and a discretionary clause for counting ballots that did not go through the machine, as these were seen as unnecessary or mandatory.
HB693 2025-0163H: Representative Wood Information Only00:33:36.240 - 9:31:37 AM; Representative Wood seconded the motion to pass House Bill 693 and the amendment 2025-0163H.
HB693 2025-0163H: Representative Mirhead Information Only00:35:36.480 - 9:33:37 AM; Representative Mirhead asked if the sentence about privacy folders remained in the bill after the amendment. Representative C clarified that it was removed as the amendment replaced that section.
HB693 2025-0163H: Representative Lane Information Only00:36:54.400 - 9:34:55 AM; Representative Lane raised concerns about the discretionary hand counting of ballots, questioning its alignment with security measures discussed previously. Representative C explained that the amendment allows the selectman or town clerk to conduct a supplemental hand count to confirm election results and count ballots from a failed machine, but it is permissive, not mandatory.
HB693 2025-0163H: Representative Newsome Information Only00:40:29.520 - 9:38:30 AM; Representative Newsome expressed concern about the potential for town clerks or selectmen on the ballot to have a free recount and the possibility of undermining the moderator's authority. Representative C clarified that existing provisions prevent those on the ballot from touching the ballots during counting.
HB693 2025-0163H: Chairman Barry Information Only00:54:22.000 - 9:52:23 AM; Chairman Barry called for a five-minute caucus to address points raised and reconvened at 10:50. Upon reconvening, Representative C withdrew the motion for amendment 2025-0163H and the OTP motion, then moved to retain House Bill 693. The motion to retain passed unanimously with a vote of 18 to 0.
HB590 2025-0690H: Representative C Information Only00:56:38.319 - 9:54:39 AM; Representative C moved to pass House Bill 590 and introduced amendment 2025-0690H. He explained that the amendment changes the election of cooperative school board members from at-large to within their own district, addressing the issue of non-residents deciding district representatives.
HB590 2025-0690H: Representative Wood Information Only00:56:38.319 - 9:54:39 AM; Representative Wood seconded the motion to pass House Bill 590 and the amendment 2025-0690H.
HB590 2025-0690H: Representative Lane Information Only00:58:54.559 - 9:56:55 AM; Representative Lane questioned the impact of the amendment on existing agreements based on the statute, particularly regarding at-large membership. Representative C clarified that the amendment only changes how members are elected and does not alter existing agreements.
HB590 2025-0690H: Representative Newsome Information Only01:00:11.680 - 9:58:12 AM; Representative Newsome asked about the operationalization of voting within each district, and Representative C explained that it is mostly done by town, with the exception of the Merrimack Valley School District, which includes multiple towns and a section of Concord.
HB590 2025-0690H: Representative Quley Information Only01:08:06.240 - 10:06:07 AM; Representative Quley suggested that the amendment improves the original bill but raised concerns about its impact on existing cooperative units. He proposed adding another clause to the statute to allow for the election of members from each district without affecting existing agreements.
HB590 2025-0690H: Chairman Barry Information Only01:11:34.199 - 10:09:35 AM; Chairman Barry recommended retaining the bill to address the issues raised. Representative C withdrew the motion for the amendment and the OTP motion, then moved to retain House Bill 590. The motion to retain passed unanimously with a vote of 18 to 0.
HB385 2025-0656H: Representative Lane Support01:12:54.159 - 10:10:55 AM; Representative Lane moved amendment 2025-0656H to House Bill 385, explaining that the amendment was a cleanup effort to ensure no errors were present in the bill, which aims to repeal HB 1569 from the previous year. The amendment makes minor changes without altering the bill's intent.
HB385 2025-0656H: Representative Weary Oppose01:14:10.400 - 10:12:11 AM; Representative Weary expressed that despite the amendment efforts, the subcommittee recommended inexpedient to legislate (ITL) on HB 385, indicating opposition to the bill as a matter of policy. The subcommittee felt that voters should provide proof of qualifications.
HB385 2025-0656H: Representative Lane Support01:16:04.320 - 10:14:05 AM; Representative Lane argued in favor of HB 385, stating that the bill was brought forward due to ongoing litigation against HB 1569. The intent was to save the state money in legal fees by overturning the previous bill rather than waiting for a court decision.
HB385 2025-0656H: Representative Wilhelm Oppose01:17:13.120 - 10:15:14 AM; Representative Wilhelm opposed HB 385, citing recent municipal elections where qualified voters were turned away due to discrepancies in identification, such as maiden names not matching. They argued that the state should not turn away qualified voters and highlighted the financial impact of defending HB 1569 in court.
HB385 2025-0656H: Chairman Barry Information Only01:18:21.760 - 10:16:22 AM; Chairman Barry addressed concerns about voter qualifications, emphasizing the importance of ensuring only U.S. citizens vote. He mentioned public support for such measures and the necessity due to immigration issues, suggesting that the same documents required for a Real ID should be used for voting.
HB385 2025-0656H: Representative Weary Oppose01:21:44.640 - 10:19:45 AM; Representative Weary moved for inexpedient to legislate on HB 385, which was seconded by Representative Burnham. The motion passed with a vote of 10 to 8, indicating the committee's decision to recommend against the bill.
HB412: Representative C Oppose01:24:02.719 - 10:22:03 AM; Representative C moved for inexpedient to legislate on HB 412, stating that it was similar to HB590, which was being retained, and would be a duplicate effort. They suggested that concerns from HB 412 be incorporated into HB590.
HB412: Chairman Barry Information Only01:25:18.719 - 10:23:19 AM; Chairman Barry noted the unanimous decision to recommend inexpedient to legislate on HB 412 and placed it on the consent calendar, indicating no objections from the committee.
HB217: Representative Weary Support01:26:16.560 - 10:24:17 AM; Representative Weary moved for ought to pass on HB 217, which was seconded by Representative Burnham. They explained that the bill aims to clarify the use of absentee ballots in relation to HB 1569 and suggested working on bipartisan language regarding voting rights for detainees in correctional facilities.
HB217: Representative Lane Oppose01:27:05.040 - 10:25:06 AM; Representative Lane opposed HB 217, arguing that it perpetuates a policy without evidence that the citizenship affidavit was ineffective. They also suggested extending voting rights to jailed individuals similar to nursing home residents.
HB217: Representative Weary Support01:28:25.440 - 10:26:26 AM; Representative Weary supported the idea of extending voting rights to detainees but emphasized the need for consistency with existing RSA language. They suggested working on a bipartisan bill for the next session.
HB217: Chairman Barry Information Only01:29:28.480 - 10:27:29 AM; Chairman Barry suggested using the term 'confirmation or affirmation' instead of 'affidavit' to reduce tension in future discussions about voting rights, referencing the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).
HB217: Representative Ford Oppose01:30:41.760 - 10:28:42 AM; Representative Ford opposed HB 217, stating that it confuses voter registration with requesting an absentee ballot and noted significant public opposition to the bill.
HB217: Representative Weary Support01:31:55.679 - 10:29:56 AM; Representative Weary's motion to pass HB 217 was carried with a vote of 10 to 8. They were assigned to prepare the majority report, while Representative Lane was to prepare the minority report.
HB281: Representative Weary Information Only01:32:55.040 - 10:30:56 AM; Representative Weary moved to retain HB 281 to allow for language cleanup as suggested by the Secretary of State's office. The motion to retain was seconded by Representative Wood.
HB281: Representative Lane Information Only01:33:22.080 - 10:31:23 AM; Representative Lane confirmed comfort with proceeding with the vote on retaining House Bill 281 despite the absence of one member.
HB281: Chairman Barry Information Only01:34:36.639 - 10:32:37 AM; Chairman Barry conducted the vote on retaining House Bill 281, which passed unanimously with a vote of 17 to 0.
HB341: Representative Weary Information Only01:35:52.800 - 10:33:53 AM; Representative Weary moved 'ought to pass' on House Bill 341 but later withdrew the motion to allow for a motion to retain the bill.
HB341: Representative C Information Only01:36:48.000 - 10:34:49 AM; Representative C seconded the motion to withdraw the 'ought to pass' motion on House Bill 341.
HB341: Representative Ward Information Only01:36:48.000 - 10:34:49 AM; Representative Ward moved to retain House Bill 341, expressing appreciation for Representative Weary's efforts and suggesting more time was needed to refine the bill.
HB341: Representative Weary Information Only01:37:41.199 - 10:35:42 AM; Representative Weary seconded the motion to retain House Bill 341.
HB341: Chairman Barry Information Only01:38:34.080 - 10:36:35 AM; Chairman Barry conducted the vote on retaining House Bill 341, which passed unanimously with a vote of 17 to 0.
HB270 2025-1053H: Representative C Information Only01:39:54.600 - 10:37:55 AM; Representative C moved to withdraw amendment 2025-0877H and introduced a new amendment 2025-1053H for House Bill 270. The new amendment clarified the term 'electronic counting device' to 'electronic ballot counting device' in several places and added the word 'programmed' to specify the memory device received from the vendor.
HB270 2025-1053H: Representative Lane Information Only01:41:25.119 - 10:39:26 AM; Representative Lane inquired if the amendment covered the ACU vote memory cards as discussed with the Secretary of State. Representative C confirmed that the amendment addressed this issue.
HB270 2025-1053H: Representative Lane Information Only01:42:56.080 - 10:40:57 AM; Representative Lane raised a concern about the broad discretion given to the Secretary of State regarding the ACU vote cards, questioning if the committee was comfortable with this.
HB270 2025-1053H: Representative Newsome Information Only01:44:08.320 - 10:42:09 AM; Representative Newsome asked about the requirement for towns to have safes for storing memory devices, and Representative C explained that towns would use existing safes and manage access accordingly.
HB270 2025-1053H: Representative Lane Information Only01:45:06.800 - 10:43:07 AM; Representative Lane sought clarification on the logistics of moving memory cards from safes to polling places and back, and Representative C explained the process during machine testing.
HB270 2025-1053H: Chairman Barry Information Only01:45:59.080 - 10:44:00 AM; Chairman Barry conducted a voice vote on adopting amendment 2025-1053H, which passed.
HB270 2025-1053H: Representative C Information Only01:45:59.080 - 10:44:00 AM; Representative C moved 'ought to pass as amended' on House Bill 270 with amendment 2025-1053H.
HB270 2025-1053H: Representative Burnham Information Only01:45:59.080 - 10:44:00 AM; Representative Burnham seconded the motion to pass House Bill 270 as amended.
HB270 2025-1053H: Representative Gilmore Information Only01:47:00.800 - 10:45:01 AM; Representative Gilmore asked about the duration for which memory cards would be preserved, and it was clarified that they would be retained for 22 months for federal elections and 60 days for local elections.
HB270 2025-1053H: Representative Lane Information Only01:47:49.280 - 10:45:50 AM; Representative Lane requested a brief caucus, which was granted.
HB270 2025-1053H: Representative Newsome Information Only01:58:04.159 - 10:56:05 AM; Representative Newsome sought clarification on deletions in the amendment, and Representative C explained that the changes were to streamline the process and accommodate different voting machines.
HB270 2025-1053H: Chairman Barry Information Only02:01:45.760 - 10:59:46 AM; Chairman Barry conducted a voice vote on adopting amendment 2025-1053H, which passed, and then conducted a roll call vote on the motion to pass House Bill 270 as amended, which passed unanimously with a vote of 17 to 0. The bill was placed on the consent calendar.
HB367 2025-1070H: Representative Weary Information Only02:02:54.800 - 11:00:55 AM; Representative Weary moved reconsideration on House Bill 367 and then moved 'ought to pass' with amendment 2025-1070H. The amendment was intended to clarify the process for adopting or returning to an unofficial ballot system.
HB367 2025-1070H: Representative Lane Information Only02:02:54.800 - 11:00:55 AM; Representative Lane initially seconded the 'ought to pass' motion but then withdrew her second.
HB367 2025-1070H: Representative Qualey Information Only02:04:06.920 - 11:02:07 AM; Representative Qualey seconded the motion to adopt amendment 2025-1070H.
HB367 2025-1070H: Representative Lane Information Only02:07:23.920 - 11:05:24 AM; Representative Lane expressed appreciation for the collaborative effort on the bill after its last vote, noting that everyone continued to work together to refine it. They appreciated the teamwork and thanked those involved.
HB367 2025-1070H: Representative Weary Vote02:07:23.920 - 11:05:24 AM; Representative Weary moved to pass House Bill 367 as amended by amendment 2025-1070H. The motion was seconded by Representative Qualey.
HB367 2025-1070H: Committee Members Vote02:08:36.400 - 11:06:37 AM; The committee voted unanimously 17-0 in favor of the motion to pass House Bill 367 as amended by amendment 2025-1070H. The members who voted yes included Vice Chairman Quley, Representative Pudome O'Brien, the clerk, Representative Wary, Representative Wood, Representative Harvey Valia, Representative C, Representative Gazoffski, Representative Toner, Representative Lane, Representative Ward, Representative Gilmore, Representative Mirhead, Representative Bay, Representative Wilhelm, Representative Newsome, and Chairman Barry. Representative Weary was assigned to prepare the committee report.
HB367 2025-1070H: Chairman Barry Information Only02:09:46.719 - 11:07:47 AM; Chairman Barry closed the executive session for House Bill 367 and confirmed that all regular calendar bills had been covered. He noted that the last bill would go on the consent calendar without objection. He also confirmed that HP270 would be placed on the consent calendar without objection. He requested all committee reports be completed by that afternoon and announced the next meeting would be on Thursday, with no meeting scheduled for the following Tuesday due to lack of business. He mentioned awaiting bills from the Senate.

Berry, Ross(Chairman)(R)[A+]2025	Burnham, Claudine(Clerk)(R)[A-]2025	Qualey, James(V Chairman)(R)[B+]2025
Ward, Gerald(D)[F]2025	Prudhomme-O'Brien, Katherine(R)[B+]2025	Gilmore, Gary(D)[F]2025
See, Alvin(R)[A-]2025	Grill, Jessica(D)[D-]2025	Wood, Clayton(R)[B+]2025
Bay, Luz(D)[F]2025	Wherry, Robert(R)[A-]2025	Harvey-Bolia, Juliet(R)[A-]2025
Muirhead, Russell(D)[D-]2025	Wilhelm, Matthew(D)[F]2025	Lane, Connie(D)[CT]2025
Newsom, James(D)[CT]2025	Toner, Travis(R)[B+]2025	Guzofski, James(R)[B+]2025