Committee Summary for House Municipal and County Government (03/03/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1184 2026-0756H 00:03:57.178 - 9:32:03 AM	Executive Session	relative to the issuance of no trespass orders on municipal or school district property.	Harvey-Bolia, Juliet(R)[A-]2025
HB1224 2026-0301H 00:24:42.946 - 9:52:48 AM	Executive Session	relative to the default budget for official ballot town meetings.	Dunn, Ron(R)[A]2025
HB1319 00:39:42.946 - 10:07:48 AM	Executive Session	enabling towns, village districts, or school districts to adopt or rescind a local fiscal accountability committee for towns and schools.	Pauer, Diane(R)[A]2025
HB1319 00:54:42.946 - 10:22:48 AM	Executive Session	enabling towns, village districts, or school districts to adopt or rescind a local fiscal accountability committee for towns and schools.	Pauer, Diane(R)[A]2025
HB1355 2026-0695h 01:09:42.946 - 10:37:48 AM	Executive Session	relative to eliminating the default budget from the official ballot referenda.	Noble, Kristin(R)[A+]2025
HB1066 2026-0923h 01:23:12.735 - 10:51:18 AM	Executive Session	relative to warrant articles authorizing lease agreements.	Pauer, Diane(R)[A]2025
HB1113 2026-0806h 01:42:43.091 - 11:10:49 AM	Executive Session	enabling towns to establish a 3-year term for town moderators.	Murphy, Denis(R)[B+]2025

HB1184 2026-0756H: Representative Diane Power Information Only00:03:57.178 - 9:32:03 AM; Opens the executive session on HB 1184-FN and recognizes Representative McDonald for a motion.
HB1184 2026-0756H: Representative McDonald Support00:03:57.178 - 9:32:03 AM; Moves to pass amendment 0756H, explains it clarifies emergency authority, extends duration to 72 hours, requires written requirements, allows extension by three-fifths vote, establishes due process timelines, and sets 90-day limit to balance public safety and due process.
HB1184 2026-0756H: Representative Grund Information Only00:03:57.178 - 9:32:03 AM; Asks for clarification on non-public sessions for issuing NTOs that may disparage reputation.
HB1184 2026-0756H: Representative McDonald Information Only00:03:57.178 - 9:32:03 AM; Responds that vote must be in public meeting, but discussion can be in non-public unless requested otherwise.
HB1184 2026-0756H: Representative Murphy Information Only00:03:57.178 - 9:32:03 AM; Questions how three-fifths works for a three-member select board.
HB1184 2026-0756H: Representative McDonald Support00:18:57.178 - 9:47:03 AM; Summarizes the bill with amendment provides emergency authority, oversight, documentation, timelines, and judicial review.
HB1184 2026-0756H: Representative Majore Support00:18:57.178 - 9:47:03 AM; Expresses concern about three-fifths vote for small boards, suggests possible issue.
HB1184 2026-0756H: Representative McDonald Support00:18:57.178 - 9:47:03 AM; Notes prior discussion on vote threshold and that concerns should have been raised earlier.
HB1184 2026-0756H: Representative Walker Support00:18:57.178 - 9:47:03 AM; Argues that two out of three is a supermajority for three-member boards.
HB1184 2026-0756H: Representative Davis Support00:18:57.178 - 9:47:03 AM; Notes comments came up this morning, suggests floor amendment to avoid confusion on vote thresholds.
HB1184 2026-0756H: Representative Grund Support00:18:57.178 - 9:47:03 AM; Agrees two out of three is more than 60%, so math works despite small board sizes.
HB1184 2026-0756H: Representative Colby Support00:18:57.178 - 9:47:03 AM; Suggests using percentage to handle various board sizes, appetite to pass bill, floor amendment needed.
HB1184 2026-0756H: Representative Stavis Support00:18:57.178 - 9:47:03 AM; Agrees floor amendment is in order to consult on threshold.
HB1184 2026-0756H: Representative Majore Support00:18:57.178 - 9:47:03 AM; Asks about process: vote in favor and offer floor amendment later.
HB1184 2026-0756H: Representative Diane Power Support00:18:57.178 - 9:47:03 AM; Confirms committee can vote in favor and collaborate on floor amendment.
HB1224 2026-0301H: Representative McDonald Support00:24:42.946 - 9:52:48 AM; Offers amendment 0301H to correct drafting errors, clarify wording, allow public safety line items for overtime and contracts, and fix references; notes bill refiled to address governor's veto.
HB1224 2026-0301H: Representative Colby Oppose00:24:42.946 - 9:52:48 AM; Concerns about eliminating DPW positions beyond snow removal.
HB1224 2026-0301H: Representative McDonald Information Only00:24:42.946 - 9:52:48 AM; Explains snow removal specification addresses governor's veto concern.
HB1224 2026-0301H: Representative Georghi Oppose00:24:42.946 - 9:52:48 AM; Objects to unclear wording on vacancies and approvals, and vague definition of one-time expenditures.
HB1224 2026-0301H: Representative Davis Oppose00:24:42.946 - 9:52:48 AM; Criticizes confusing language on eliminated positions as word salad.
HB1224 2026-0301H: Representative McDonald Information Only00:24:42.946 - 9:52:48 AM; Clarifies amendment not intended to confuse officials.
HB1224 2026-0301H: Representative Grund Oppose00:24:42.946 - 9:52:48 AM; Worries about open positions under recruitment being eliminated, transfers in default budgets, and potential cuts to essential roles.
HB1224 2026-0301H: Representative McDonald Support00:39:42.946 - 10:07:48 AM; Moves OTPA, summarizes bill clarifies default budget definition, reflects prior appropriations, addresses inconsistencies, prevents inflation, and balances taxpayer protection with public safety.
HB1224 2026-0301H: Representative Grund Oppose00:39:42.946 - 10:07:48 AM; Disagrees on inflated budgets, reiterates concerns on open positions and transfers; towns follow current law diligently.
HB1224 2026-0301H: Representative Davis Oppose00:39:42.946 - 10:07:48 AM; Questions how public safety and DPW additions prevent inflation of default budgets.
HB1224 2026-0301H: Representative Majore Oppose00:39:42.946 - 10:07:48 AM; Predicts confusion on approvals vs. authorizations, end-arounds by adding snow removal duties to positions.
HB1224 2026-0301H: Representative Gilman Oppose00:39:42.946 - 10:07:48 AM; Concerns about positions under recruitment between budget years based on unsubstantiated claims.
HB1224 2026-0301H: Representative McDonald Information Only00:39:42.946 - 10:07:48 AM; Recalls hearing evidence of default budgets often higher than proposed, meant to be bare-bones.
HB1319: Representative McDonald Support00:39:42.946 - 10:07:48 AM; Moves OTPA, explains bill as enabling legislation for optional independent FACTS committee to identify efficiencies, improve services, and suggest cost savings; independent of officials and staff, with duties to review budgets and provide recommendations; voluntary and flexible.
HB1319: Representative Colby Oppose00:39:42.946 - 10:07:48 AM; Opposes as it adds extra layer of government, allows individual contacts to department heads impeding services, gives unelected volunteers equal power to elected budget committees.
HB1319: Representative Grund Oppose00:39:42.946 - 10:07:48 AM; Opposes as unnecessary layer; elected officials and experts already handle reviews; concerns about removal to superior court for disagreements.
HB1319: Representative Majore Oppose00:39:42.946 - 10:07:48 AM; Strongly opposes as it enlarges government, complicates budgets with multiple versions, overcomplicates processes; predicts resistance to information sharing.
HB1319: Representative Stavis Oppose00:39:42.946 - 10:07:48 AM; Opposes assuming evil intent of local officials without evidence; no public complaints heard.
HB1319: Representative McDonald Information Only00:39:42.946 - 10:07:48 AM; Reminds not to ascribe motive; clarifies intent is to provide tool for efficiency review, not based on evil intent.
HB1319: Representative Harvey Oppose00:39:42.946 - 10:07:48 AM; Public hearings already allow direct public input; no need for additional committee.
HB1319: Representative Majore Information Only00:39:42.946 - 10:07:48 AM; Notes bill doesn't apply to cities, intentional.
HB1319: Unnamed Speaker Oppose00:54:42.946 - 10:22:48 AM; The speaker argues against the bill, stating that fiscal committees already handle budgets and public hearings allow for amendments and public input. They view the proposed committee as an unnecessary additional layer of government that reduces efficiency.
HB1319: Representative Elwood Support00:55:30.000 - 10:23:36 AM; As an average citizen who attends meetings and reads minutes, Elwood supports the independent committee due to lack of transparency in their town, ignored public comments, and sanitized minutes. They believe it would enable truth-seeking and address futility in participation.
HB1319: Representative Majore Oppose00:56:30.000 - 10:24:36 AM; Majore questions what makes the new body independent since it would be elected, similar to existing committees like budget committees or select boards. They call the proposal madness.
HB1319: Representative Frocht Oppose00:57:00.000 - 10:25:06 AM; Frocht agrees with Majore, noting the new layer has the same qualifications or lack thereof as existing bodies already performing the job.
HB1319: Representative Grund Oppose00:57:30.000 - 10:25:36 AM; Grund clarifies that experts refer to hired professionals providing information to existing committees. They argue another elected group could undermine current processes. Regarding deliberative sessions, they state articles must be presented by law, and if not, it's illegal. They view the proposal as undermining trust, adding confusion with multiple groups commenting on warrant articles.
HB1319: Representative Colby Oppose01:00:00.000 - 10:28:06 AM; Colby expresses concern over judging violations by the fiscal accountability committee and the process to remove members, potentially leading to court costs. They question integration into the existing budget process starting in June, calling it confusing and inefficient, contrary to the bill's intent.
HB1319: Representative Gilman Oppose01:02:00.000 - 10:30:06 AM; Gilman notes frequent default budgets and complaints from towns but suggests fixing local issues through demands for transparency rather than a new enabling bill. Their town resolved issues by requesting information, questioning necessity and whether it addresses default budgets.
HB1319: Representative Harvey Oppose01:04:00.000 - 10:32:06 AM; Harvey praises their town of Chesterfield for community involvement in checking minutes and ensuring accuracy. They argue communities should engage to ensure legal compliance, negating the need for such legislation.
HB1319: Representative Stavis Information Only01:05:00.000 - 10:33:06 AM; Stavis questions if the FACTS Commission being independent implies the elected governing body is not.
HB1319: Representative Majore Oppose01:05:30.000 - 10:33:36 AM; Majore highlights new authority to zero out appropriations, arguing it confuses voters, especially in low-attendance deliberative sessions, calling it inefficient madness and unable to vote for it.
HB1319: Representative McDonald Information Only01:06:00.000 - 10:34:06 AM; McDonald calls the question, noting the sense of the committee on the bill.
HB1319: Representative Colby Oppose01:06:30.000 - 10:34:36 AM; Colby questions what new committee would be created if the FACTS Committee fails to deliver information.
HB1319: Chair Vote01:09:42.946 - 10:37:48 AM; The motion to ought to pass HB 1319 passes 10 to 8. Majority report by Chair, minority by Representative Grund.
HB1355 2026-0695h: Representative McDonald Support01:09:42.946 - 10:37:48 AM; McDonald offers and speaks briefly to amendment 2026-0695h, stating it has been fully discussed.
HB1355 2026-0695h: Representative Karazinski Support01:10:00.000 - 10:38:06 AM; Karazinski seconds the motion.
HB1355 2026-0695h: Chair Vote01:10:30.000 - 10:38:36 AM; Amendment 2026-0695h is adopted 10 to 8.
HB1355 2026-0695h: Representative McDonald Support01:11:00.000 - 10:39:06 AM; McDonald moves OTPA with amendment, stating it has been fully discussed.
HB1355 2026-0695h: Representative Karazinski Support01:11:30.000 - 10:39:36 AM; Karazinski seconds the motion.
HB1355 2026-0695h: Chair Vote01:12:00.000 - 10:40:06 AM; The motion for ought to pass with amendment on HB 1355 passes 10 to 8. Majority report by Chair, minority by Representative Gilman.
HB1066 2026-0923h: Representative McDonald Support01:23:12.735 - 10:51:18 AM; McDonald offers amendment 2026-0923h, explaining it increases the public hearing threshold from $100,000 to $500,000 due to inflation and adds language to resolve conflicts with energy performance contracts, ensuring leases lapse if funding unavailable.
HB1066 2026-0923h: Representative Murphy Support01:24:00.000 - 10:52:06 AM; Murphy seconds the motion.
HB1066 2026-0923h: Chair Vote01:24:30.000 - 10:52:36 AM; Amendment 2026-0923h is adopted 10 to 8.
HB1066 2026-0923h: Representative McDonald Support01:25:00.000 - 10:53:06 AM; McDonald moves OTPA with amendment, explaining the bill addresses misuse of RSA 33-7E for leasing building improvements that become fixtures rather than returnable equipment. Provides examples of improper use, notes alternatives like energy performance contracts remain available, emphasizes maintaining distinction between leasing equipment and financing fixtures.
HB1066 2026-0923h: Representative Murphy Support01:30:00.000 - 10:58:06 AM; Murphy seconds the motion.
HB1066 2026-0923h: Representative Stavis Oppose01:31:00.000 - 10:59:06 AM; Stavis opposes, noting the bill eliminates a needed mechanism for affordable improvements via leasing, shifting costs to taxpayers. Recalls previous veto and tabling.
HB1066 2026-0923h: Representative McDonald Support01:32:00.000 - 11:00:06 AM; McDonald counters that the bill was worked with NHMA, passed on consent previously, vetoed due to misunderstanding, refiled, and addresses improper multi-million dollar financing on simple majority votes, providing 30 examples including a $25-26 million Timberlane project costing extra.
HB1066 2026-0923h: Representative Grund Oppose01:34:00.000 - 11:02:06 AM; Grund argues claims of improper use are opinions, not court-determined facts. Recalls testimony on lower costs for energy improvements via savings, state use of leases, confusing language, and concerns over treating votes like bonds.
HB1066 2026-0923h: Representative Colby Oppose01:35:30.000 - 11:03:36 AM; Colby agrees oversight is important but must be fact-based, criticizes ascribing improper intent to municipalities without evidence, cannot base legislation on opinions.
HB1066 2026-0923h: Representative McDonald Support01:36:30.000 - 11:04:36 AM; McDonald reiterates legislative intent of RSA 33-7E for returnable equipment, provides evidence of misuse, notes energy performance contracts unaffected.
HB1066 2026-0923h: Representative Majore Oppose01:37:00.000 - 11:05:06 AM; Majore sarcastically anticipates NHMA's calendar challenges with new requirements from this and other bills.
HB1066 2026-0923h: Representative Gilman Oppose01:37:30.000 - 11:05:36 AM; Gilman warns that cutting lease agreements, including maintenance, could increase repair costs if ownership results.
HB1066 2026-0923h: Representative Stavis Oppose01:38:12.735 - 11:06:18 AM; Stavis views the bill as increasing municipal costs and eroding taxpayer rights amid rising bills.
HB1066 2026-0923h: Chair Vote01:39:00.000 - 11:07:06 AM; The motion for ought to pass with amendment on HB 1066-FN passes 10 to 8. Majority report by Chair, minority optional by Representative Colby.
HB1113 2026-0806h: Representative Murphy Support01:42:43.091 - 11:10:49 AM; Murphy offers amendment 2026-0806h, explaining it allows three-year terms but amends to 41-1-A and 671-11-A.
HB1113 2026-0806h: Representative Dolan Support01:43:00.000 - 11:11:06 AM; Dolan seconds the motion.
HB1113 2026-0806h: Chair Vote01:43:30.000 - 11:11:36 AM; Amendment 2026-0806h is adopted 10 to 8.
HB1113 2026-0806h: Representative Murphy Support01:44:00.000 - 11:12:06 AM; Murphy moves OTPA with amendment, declines to speak further.
HB1113 2026-0806h: Representative Dolan Support01:44:30.000 - 11:12:36 AM; Dolan seconds the motion.
HB1113 2026-0806h: Representative Majore Oppose01:45:00.000 - 11:13:06 AM; Majore argues it creates a patchwork of terms across towns, suggests standardizing to three years statewide like other positions, avoiding rescission issues.
HB1113 2026-0806h: Representative Stavis Oppose01:46:00.000 - 11:14:06 AM; Stavis recalls AG staff testimony on misbehaving moderators lacked specific evidence or cases.
HB1113 2026-0806h: Representative Gilman Information Only01:46:30.000 - 11:14:36 AM; Gilman questions how to place the two or three-year term question on the ballot.
HB1113 2026-0806h: Representative Murphy Information Only01:47:00.000 - 11:15:06 AM; Murphy clarifies the ballot question selects the length of term.
HB1113 2026-0806h: Representative Grund Oppose01:47:30.000 - 11:15:36 AM; Grund questions amendment wording for warrant article, notes towns can choose wording flexibly but prefers determined three-year term like other positions for consistency in learning curve.
HB1113 2026-0806h: Representative Colby Support01:48:30.000 - 11:16:36 AM; Colby would have supported the original bill fully.
HB1113 2026-0806h: Representative Gilman Information Only01:49:00.000 - 11:17:06 AM; Gilman corrects that the manner of electing two or three-year terms is in the bill.
HB1113 2026-0806h: Chair Vote01:49:30.000 - 11:17:36 AM; The motion for ought to pass with amendment on HB 1113 passes 12 to 6. Majority report by Representative Murphy, minority optional.

Pauer, Diane(Chairman)(R)[A]2025	Bjelobrk, Marie Louise(Clerk)(R)[B+]2025	MacDonald, John(V Chairman)(R)[B+]2025
Fracht, David(D)[D-]2025	Guthrie, Joseph(R)[C]2025	Harvey, Cathryn(D)[F]2025
Gilman, Julie(D)[D-]2025	Grund, Stephanie(D)[F]2025	Stavis, Laurel(D)[CT]2025
Karasinski, Sly(R)[B]2025	Maggiore, Jim(D)[CT]2025	Dolan, Tom(R)[B]2025
Aylward, Deborah(R)[B+]2025	Walker, David(R)[B+]2025	Colby, Eleana (D)[F]2025
Girard, Dale(D)[C-]2025	Franz, Linda(R)[B]2025	Murphy, Denis(R)[B+]2025