Committee Summary for Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (10/23/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB220 00:04:17.279 - 12:31:39 PM	Executive Session	relative to public hearings and deliberation for the denial of tax exemptions.	Abbas, Daryl(R)[B-]2025
SB223 00:05:02.800 - 12:32:24 PM	Executive Session	(New Title) prohibiting student identification cards from being used as photo identification for purposes of obtaining a ballot.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)[A-]2025
HB340 2024-3028h 00:05:53.840 - 12:33:15 PM	Executive Session	relative to electioneering by public employees.	Berry, Ross(R)[A+]2025
HB481 2024-3041s 00:29:55.279 - 12:57:17 PM	Executive Session	(New Title) relative to the state primary date.	Schultz, Kris(D)[F]2025

SB220: Senator Lang Information Only00:04:17.279 - 12:31:39 PM; Motion to find Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) on SB 220.
SB223: Senator Lang Information Only00:05:02.800 - 12:32:24 PM; Motion to pass SB 223, noting interest in the section about using student IDs for identification. Motion for consent granted.
HB340 2024-3028h: Committee Chair Information Only00:05:53.840 - 12:33:15 PM; Discussion on draft legislation for HB 340. Notes error in paragraph C on line 24, which should read 'organizing or conducting surveys, forums or events that are expressly or primarily political,' and include questionnaires as requested by Senator Murphy. Invites discussion before committee amendment.
HB340 2024-3028h: Senator Gray (Committee Chair) Information Only00:07:41.840 - 12:35:03 PM; Senator Gray explains the proposed amendment language, adding 'questionnaire' to prohibitions on organizing or conducting surveys, questionnaires, forums, or events that are expressly or primarily political. He notes discussions with NHMA and that the language is an improvement, though not fully endorsed by them. He clarifies nuances similar to the Hatch Act, distinguishing between speaking as a public official versus a private citizen, and emphasizes balancing employee rights with preventing undue influence.
HB340 2024-3028h: Sarah Burke Cohen, New Hampshire Municipal Association Oppose00:08:46.080 - 12:36:08 PM; Sarah Burke Cohen represents NHMA and states they support the current law as sufficient. However, due to pressure from the Senate, House, and Governor, they proposed compromise language to protect members, particularly appointed public employees, allowing recommendations on budgets and warrant articles. She notes the amendment is better but NHMA is not fully supportive, and offers to answer questions on carve-outs for official duties.
HB340 2024-3028h: Senator Perkins-Quirk Oppose00:10:01.040 - 12:37:23 PM; Senator Perkins-Quirk questions the amendment's impact on public employees participating as private citizens, expressing concern over potential liability and chilling effects on civic engagement, especially for educators providing civic education. He seeks clarity on scenarios like commenting on school budgets outside official duties and whether neutral activities like candidate forums are allowed. He suggests changing penalties from criminal to civil and opposes micromanaging employee actions based on one incident.
HB340 2024-3028h: Senator Gray (Committee Chair) Information Only00:11:14.079 - 12:38:36 PM; Responding to questions, Senator Gray reiterates NHMA's support for existing law but notes the amendment moves forward per the Governor's veto message. He explains carve-outs protect experts like superintendents in official capacities and that private citizen participation is common if not in official role. He uses Hatch Act analogies to distinguish official vs. private speech and clarifies that balanced forums are permissible if not expressly advocating for or against candidates, parties, or warrant articles.
HB340 2024-3028h: Senator Long Information Only00:27:43.760 - 12:55:05 PM; Senator Long questions if a fire truck beeping at a protest for more school arts funding would violate the law, seeking clarity on ambiguous communications. He notes it would depend on intent and reasonable interpretation, deferring to courts.
HB481 2024-3041s: Senator Perkins-Quirk Support00:29:55.279 - 12:57:17 PM; Senator Perkins-Quirk moves to ought to pass HB 481 and introduces amendment 3041s, which changes the effective date from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2028, and addresses concerns by including the inspector of elections. He explains it aligns with prior Senate passage and responds to committee feedback.
HB481 2024-3041s: Unidentified Senator Information Only00:32:09.919 - 12:59:31 PM; An unidentified senator questions if the bill aligns with previous Senate language and notes House actions, including a failed motion to remove from table. Seeks confirmation from Secretary of State's office.
HB481 2024-3041s: Unidentified Speaker Support00:32:09.919 - 12:59:31 PM; The speaker supports moving the primary to June, arguing it gives voters more time from June to November to evaluate candidates and hear general election messaging, distinct from primary messaging. He references House passage failing by one vote and urges inclusion of necessary amendments.
HB481 2024-3041s: Aaron Hennessy, Deputy Secretary of State Information Only00:33:52.000 - 1:01:14 PM; Aaron Hennessy confirms Senate Bill 222 (related to HB 481) was laid on the table in the House and a vote to remove it failed.
HB481 2024-3041s: Senator Long Support00:34:50.639 - 1:02:12 PM; Senator Long supports the June primary for voter benefits but raises concerns about Manchester's charter requiring a public vote and potential budget impacts for 2026 due to fiscal year shifts for June vs. September elections. He questions if state law supersedes local charters and notes no additional election is added, just a shift.

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