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HB 161 · 2025 · House · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Native American affairs commission membership

AI-generated

changing the membership of the New Hampshire commission on Native American affairs.

Revises the membership and duties of the New Hampshire commission on Native American affairs, setting composition, nomination, and appointment procedures and expanding the commission's responsibilities regarding tribal recognition, artifacts, and cultural programs.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 26, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill changes the membership and duties of the New Hampshire commission on Native American affairs.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“In order to recognize the historic and cultural contributions of Native Americans to New Hampshire, to promote and strengthen their own heritage, and to further their needs through state policy and programs, there is hereby established the New Hampshire commission on Native American affairs.”
RSA 12-A:14-a
“The commission shall consist of 7 members who are residents of the state and are Abenaki or other Native Americans enrolled in recognized tribes who will work together to support the tribes and promote the well-being of all Native Americans in the state.”
RSA 12-A:14-a
“Only enrolled tribal citizens who reside in New Hampshire shall be nominated by the chiefs of the state recognized Abenaki or federally recognized tribes with historic and contemporary connections to, and populations in, New Hampshire.”
RSA 12-A:14-a
“A vacancy occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made but for the unexpired term only.”
RSA 12-A:14-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Carol McGuireRPrime
  • Rep. Ellen ReadDDeputy Ranking Member· Housing

Also: Rep. Jonah WheelerD

Public testimony

339 signed in online · 98 wrote testimony

29% support71% oppose0% neutral

ForFixes chronic empty seats and lets NH tribal citizens represent themselves

AgainstCedes NH sovereignty and control to Vermont tribes

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This bill will allow our NH Tribal citizens to speak for themselves on issues affecting them.…”
— Donald Stevens, Shelburne · Nulhegan tribal citizens living in NHsupports
“I support HB161. The current Commission is out of control. I have served on the Commission as an original member and for two terms. I’ve tried for the last 5 years to get back on and get stone walled at every turn.…”
— Darryl Peasley, Hopkintonsupports
“I believe the chiefs should be able to choose who sits on their committees.”
— Bonnie Cobb, Contoocooksupports
“The New Hampshire Commission on Native American Affairs is supposed to be representative of all Native Community members but they way the bill is written it appears that only Native Community Members who are enrolled in the VT state recognized tribes qualify.…”
— Catherine Corkery, Concord · NH Chapter of the SIerra Clubopposes
“HB161- Completely rewrites the NH Native Commission Law- eliminates State oversight and Relinquishes NH State Sovereignty to VT Tribes! Passing this bill will be destructive to NH tribes and expensive to NH taxpayers!…”
— Carey Cahoon, New Hamptonopposes
“Please protect the NH Native Commission from this hostile VT takeover.”
— Gail Miller, Nashuaopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 12, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 26, 2025HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Mar 5, 2025Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration4:50:24–4:58:177m 53slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing; Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 2 P. 8
  2. Mar 5, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 03/05/2025 01:30 pm LOB 306-308
  3. Mar 5, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/05/2025 01:30 pm LOB 306-308
  4. Mar 12, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/12/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 17 P. 17
  5. Mar 26, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 30

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.