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HB 554 · 2025 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Rules for political signs on state property

AI-generated

(Second New Title) clarifying the placement of advertising signs on state-owned property.

Clarifies the conditions under which political advertising signs may be placed on municipal property.AI-generated

Status

Recommended for passage but never voted; died at adjournment · May 1, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill designates the authority to decide where political signs will be placed in a municipality to that municipality.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Louise AndrusRPrime
  • Rep. Katelyn KuttabRClerk· Judiciary
  • Rep. Kimberly RiceRVice Chair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Heath HowardDDeputy Ranking Member· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Ruth WardRDeputy Majority Leader

Also: Rep. Kristine PerezR, Rep. Alvin SeeR, Rep. John SellersR, Rep. Len TurcotteR

Public testimony

19 signed in online · 4 wrote testimony

21% support79% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Ideally this law should also clarify when First Amendment rights would supersede this decision”
— Roy Schweiker, Concordsupports
“This bill violates the New Hampshire Constitution, specifically Part First Article 30. [Freedom of Speech.], which states "The freedom of deliberation, speech, and debate, in either House of the Legislature, is so essential to the rights of the people, that it cannot be the foundation of any action, complaint, or prosecution, in any other Court or place whatsoever."…”
— James Gardner, Keeneopposes
“Any municipal building should not be able to post anything showing favoritism toward any party or candidate. These types of displays should remain in a neutral public forum.”
— Sandra F Sterling, Northfieldopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-189:00 amHouse Municipal and County GovernmentLOB 201Public hearing
  • 2025-03-031:00 pmHouse Municipal and County GovernmentLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-04-019:15 amSenate Election Law and Municipal AffairsLOB 103Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 3 P. 15
  2. Feb 18, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/18/2025 09:00 am LOB 201
  3. Mar 3, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2025 01:00 pm LOB 301-303
  4. Mar 3, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0570h (NT) 03/03/2025 (Vote 18-0; CC)
  5. Mar 13, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0570h (NT): AA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 15
  6. Mar 13, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0570h: MA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 15
  7. Mar 13, 2025SenIntroduced 03/13/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 8
  8. Apr 1, 2025SenHearing: 04/01/2025, Room 103, LOB, 10:15 am; SC 15
  9. May 1, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1615s, 05/01/2025; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 19
  10. May 1, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-1615s, AA, VV; 05/01/2025; SJ 11
  11. May 1, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-1615s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/01/2025; SJ 11
  12. Jun 12, 2025HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1615s (Rep. Pauer): MA VV 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 14

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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