Committee Summary for Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (03/03/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB164 00:17:28.411 - 8:16:34 AM	Public Hearing	relative to local records retention.	Alexander, Joe(R)[A+]2025
HB348 2026-0775S 00:31:15.822 - 8:30:21 AM	Public Hearing	relative to eligibility for local assistance.	Rhodes, Jennifer(R)[B+]2025
HB244 Proposed amendment by Phil Sherman 01:18:00.000 - 9:17:06 AM	Public Hearing	updating and recodifying the municipal enforcement of the building and fire code.	McGuire, Carol(R)[A+]2025
HB244 Committee amendment correcting references 01:30:00.000 - 9:29:06 AM	Executive Session	updating and recodifying the municipal enforcement of the building and fire code.	McGuire, Carol(R)[A+]2025
HB173 01:29:46.706 - 9:28:52 AM	Public Hearing	relative to maintaining the purpose of a petitioned warrant article.	Sellers, John(R)[A-]2025
HB173 01:45:00.000 - 9:44:06 AM	Executive Session	relative to maintaining the purpose of a petitioned warrant article.	Sellers, John(R)[A-]2025
HB164 01:55:00.000 - 9:54:06 AM	Executive Session	relative to local records retention.	Alexander, Joe(R)[A+]2025
HB463 01:57:00.000 - 9:56:06 AM	Executive Session	relative to the composition of the board of recount in elections for the select board and for the school board.	Colcombe, Riché(R)[B+]2025

HB164: Joshua Kelly, former state representative Information Only00:17:28.411 - 8:16:34 AM; Joshua Kelly, the original prime sponsor of HB 164, introduced the bill on behalf of Representative Alexander. He explained that the legislation aims to address the burden on municipalities in fulfilling right-to-know requests by creating a state-maintained website under the archivist's direction for digitizing and standardizing municipal records. Municipalities would digitize records locally and submit them to the archivist, potentially eliminating the need to retain physical copies if standards are met. This would enhance public transparency, reduce storage needs, and allow free online access without formal requests. The bill includes support from the Secretary of State's office and NHMA. It has passed both chambers in prior years but stalled due to funding needs of about $40,000 for the website and $150,000 total including a records manager position. Kelly answered questions on implementation, noting it's optional for municipalities, incentivizing digitization to reduce local burdens while still requiring fulfillment of non-digitized requests.
HB348 2026-0775S: Representative Jennifer Rhoades, District 17, Cheshire County Support00:31:15.822 - 8:30:21 AM; Representative Jennifer Rhoades introduced HB 348, which seeks to establish residency requirements for public assistance under RSA 165 to ensure aid goes to town residents, providing relief to municipalities facing program growth. The bill allows local guidelines to define proof of residency (e.g., lease, utility bill) and gives towns discretion to maintain current practices. Rhoades noted historical intent for communities to serve their own and addressed unintended consequences like assistance shopping via an amendment. She supported considerations for domestic violence victims but questioned intermunicipal hearings and mandatory reimbursements, arguing they erode local control. She suggested amending the amendment to include eligibility requirements instead of caps, drawing from national standards, and responded to questions on reimbursement rates aligning with local guidelines to avoid discrepancies like car payments.
HB348 2026-0775S: Sarah Bercone, New Hampshire Municipal Association Oppose00:36:00.000 - 8:35:06 AM; Sarah Bercone from the New Hampshire Municipal Association opposed the underlying HB 348 due to the cap on monthly assistance, which could invite costly litigation over constitutionality under NH law. She supported the local option for proof of residency and endorsed amendment 2026-0775S for maintaining this option while adding guardrails on assistance amounts without a hard cap. Bercone addressed concerns on homelessness and domestic violence, noting the amendment requires verification from services like RSA 173 for exceptions, covering stalking, sexual assault, and human trafficking. She clarified that lack of reporting wouldn't qualify without verification.
HB348 2026-0775S: Sam Hawkins, NAMI New Hampshire Oppose00:46:15.822 - 8:45:21 AM; Sam Hawkins from NAMI New Hampshire opposed HB 348 and similar policies, arguing they add excessive hoops for vulnerable individuals with severe mental illness, post-incarceration, or in treatment, who may lack resources to prove residency quickly. This could hinder recovery, increase re-hospitalization or incarceration costs to communities, and delay critical assistance during fragile periods. Hawkins viewed the amendment's processes as still too burdensome for those navigating treatment and reconnection, urging opposition to protect access.
HB348 2026-0775S: Jennifer Chisholm, New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness, Manchester resident Oppose01:01:15.822 - 9:00:21 AM; Jennifer Chisholm, executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness, opposed HB 348's impacts on homeless individuals, whether unsheltered or doubled up, who often lack required documentation like leases or utility bills. Based on 20 years of case management, she noted many don't have car registrations matching current residences or connections to service providers due to fear of system involvement (e.g., DCYF). The amendment expands documentation options but still excludes many, undercounting families. She criticized the 72-hour cutoff as insufficient for navigation, especially for those without systems knowledge, potentially denying critical help at pivotal times. She submitted written testimony and perspectives from Granite Leaders with lived homelessness experience.
HB348 2026-0775S: Nick Taylor, Housing Action New Hampshire, Manchester resident Oppose01:06:00.000 - 9:05:06 AM; Nick Taylor, director of Housing Action New Hampshire, opposed the underlying HB 348 and amendment components like documentation requirements and 72-hour cutoff, which shift the burden of proof to applicants instead of using the fair hearing process. While sympathetic to ensuring locals receive services and larger towns like Manchester aren't overburdened by non-residents, he argued strict documentation disadvantages homeless or domestic violence victims lacking accessible papers, risking people being left on the street. Taylor advocated focusing on improving the fair hearing process, as in SB 441, rather than applicant burdens, noting the 72-hour window exacerbates issues.
HB348 2026-0775S: Todd Marsh, President, New Hampshire Local Welfare Administrators Association Oppose01:11:00.000 - 9:10:06 AM; Todd Marsh, president of the New Hampshire Local Welfare Administrators Association, opposed HB 348 as passed by the House, preferring to maintain current RSA 165 for its straightforward residency tied to intent to stay. If tightening residency via documentation, he supported Senator Gray's amendment 2026-0775S as a pragmatic, workable option with guardrails: seeking documentation when available, attestation when not, and mandatory temporary emergency assistance. This addresses untraditional situations like homelessness (no mail/ID from shelters, per RSA 165:1-1C carve-out). The amendment enables intermunicipal hearings for disputes, ties assistance to local rates, and ensures aid for domestic violence/stalking/trafficking victims without residency barriers. Marsh emphasized 'shall' for emergency aid creates consistency, while 'may' keeps residency tightening optional. He offered engagement for improvements and noted collaboration with stakeholders.
HB348 2026-0775S: Unnamed witness Information Only01:16:15.822 - 9:15:21 AM; Discusses the need for more tightened residency requirements, noting that the hearing language provides a clear point for hearing officers to reference discrepancies between ID and observed facts. Without wraparound language, determinations rely primarily on intent alone, except for specific facilities like homeless shelters or corrections. Predicts that under current law, municipalities would lose most fair hearings if applicants claim intent to stay after short presence, emphasizing value in the proposed wording whether standalone or amended.
HB244 Proposed amendment by Phil Sherman: Representative John Sellers, District 10, Bristol and Bridgewater Information Only01:18:00.000 - 9:17:06 AM; Introduces HB 244 to the Senate in the absence of main sponsors. The bill updates building codes and fire codes.
HB244 Proposed amendment by Phil Sherman: Philip, NHHBA Information Only01:19:00.000 - 9:18:06 AM; Explains that HB 244 condenses scattered building code RSAs throughout state law into RSA 155-A, crediting Phil Sherman for much of the work. Notes one amendment to fix missed references and aims to get the committee back on track quickly.
HB244 Proposed amendment by Phil Sherman: Philip Sherman, Chair of the Building Code Review Board Information Only01:20:00.000 - 9:19:06 AM; Describes the bill as reorganizing building code, boards of appeal, and building official provisions from the 670 series (land use, zoning) into RSA 155-A to reduce field confusion, especially for officials wearing dual hats in small towns. Details moving unique building code elements while editing shared ones, involving collaboration with municipal and building officials associations with no objections. Presents a brief amendment correcting cross-references (e.g., from 674 to 155-A, building inspector to official, adding part numbers), walking through sections on pages 2-3. Responds to Senator Long that the bill makes no material changes to authority or sprinkler suppression requirements, clarifying local amendments to state code; references HB 1004 for sprinkler changes.
HB244 Committee amendment correcting references: Senator Lang Vote01:30:00.000 - 9:29:06 AM; Moves ought to pass with adoption of the proposed committee amendment detailed on the provided sheet.
HB244 Committee amendment correcting references: Committee Vote01:30:30.000 - 9:29:36 AM; Seconds the motion for ought to pass and the committee amendment. Votes aye on amendment and bill as amended. Moves and approves consent calendar with no objections.
HB173: Representative John Soules, District 10, Bristol Support01:29:46.706 - 9:28:52 AM; Introduces HB 173 to prevent changes to the purpose of petition warrant articles at deliberative sessions, ensuring they reach the ballot as intended for voter decision rather than being altered to studies. Explains historical context under RSA 40:13-4C to stop elimination of subject matter. Distinguishes purpose (aim or goal) from intent, emphasizing petitions aim for up-or-down votes on budget, appropriations, or policy. Provides examples: parking spaces for rental units changed to study; multi-tier school support system changed to study and voted down. Allows minor changes like number of spaces but not purpose. Retained in House after debate on purpose vs. intent. Goal is to honor petitioners' work by placing on ballot for voters.
HB173: Tim Janneber, Northwood Support01:35:00.000 - 9:34:06 AM; Supports HB 173 to protect the right to petition by preventing changes to intent. Cites RSA 32:14 allowing petition to rescind town budget committee, but under RSA 39:3, selectmen changed 'rescind' to 'reaffirm' and removed RSA references at deliberative, reversing intent despite minor language adjustments permitted. Found it irritating; consulted Secretary of State who noted possible wiggle room. Hopes bill eliminates ambiguity to ensure petitions proceed as submitted.
HB173: Brody Deshays, New Hampshire Municipal Association Oppose01:40:00.000 - 9:39:06 AM; Opposes HB 173 as introduced, which would prohibit amending petition warrant articles in SB2 municipalities or school districts at the business session by voters. Argues petition articles should be treated like any other warrant article, differing only in placement method. Voters as legislative body should determine final substance, akin to traditional town meetings or legislative changes to introduced bills. Historical practice across state; petitions not referendums but for appropriations or matters under legislative purview, warranting no special protection.
HB173: Unnamed speaker Support01:44:46.706 - 9:43:52 AM; Supports HB 173, highlighting frustration when deliberative sessions drastically alter petitions, undermining effort and reducing voter engagement as changes make outcomes pointless. Notes 'purpose' term remains ambiguous, likely leading to court challenges despite bill; suggests need for more specific language. Points out low deliberative attendance often dominated by stakeholders with financial interests (e.g., school employees) biasing changes to protect status quo. Offers specific court case examples if requested.
HB173: Chair Information Only01:45:00.000 - 9:44:06 AM; Facilitates discussion on HB 173, noting repeated introductions over years; highlights deliberative session as heritage process where low attendance can alter petitions, putting committee in bind.
HB173: Unnamed Senator Information Only01:46:00.000 - 9:45:06 AM; Acknowledges frustration with deliberative changes but views it as part of process; advises petitioners to turnout and defend at session, citing personal experience where lack of attendance led to failure.
HB173: Unnamed Senator Information Only01:47:00.000 - 9:46:06 AM; Notes deliberative acts as pre-vote discussion forum with few restrictions; emphasizes getting petition supporters to attend to preserve original, as most voters absent unless major issue.
HB173: Unnamed Senator Information Only01:48:00.000 - 9:47:06 AM; Expresses concern that 'purpose' language is problematic and overly broad, complicating implementation.
HB173: Unnamed Senator Information Only01:49:00.000 - 9:48:06 AM; Shows compassion for petitioners' effort; worries selectmen pervert intent, undermining democracy and minority voice. Agrees minor amendments ok but not reversal; selectmen can add own articles. Cites example of tax cap petition changed from CPI to 33% at deliberative. Struggles but favors allowing original on ballot for vote.
HB173: Chair Vote01:50:00.000 - 9:49:06 AM; Decides to put HB 173 on hold for at least a week to review RSA 40:13 on changes; agrees selectmen should not unilaterally alter but deliberative follows procedures.
HB164: Chair Information Only01:55:00.000 - 9:54:06 AM; Notes desire to hear from Secretary of State on HB 164 before proceeding; expresses bother with some aspect but transcript cuts off.
HB463: Unnamed Senator Vote01:57:00.000 - 9:56:06 AM; Moves inexpedient to legislate (ITL) due to mechanical issues: mismatched officials for school vs. town elections (select board for school, school board for town), problematic in multi-district towns.
HB463: Committee Vote01:57:30.000 - 9:56:36 AM; Seconds ITL motion. Votes aye on ITL. Moves and approves consent with no objections.

Gray, James(Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Lang, Timothy(V Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Perkins Kwoka, Rebecca(D)[F]2025
Rochefort, David(R)[B-]2025	Long, Pat(D)[F]2025