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HB 569 · 2025 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

County-wide communication districts

AI-generated

relative to the establishment of county-wide communication districts.

Allows counties to initiate the establishment of county-wide communications districts.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 6, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill allows counties to initiate the establishment of county-wide communications districts.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“"District" means a communications district of 2 or more municipalities, or one county, established under this chapter.”
Section 69:1
“"Member" means any city, town, unincorporated town, [or] unorganized place, or county that elects to form or join a communications district under this chapter.”
Section 69:2
“The governing bodies of 2 or more municipalities, or the governing body of a county, may at their discretion create a special unpaid committee to be known as a communications district planning committee, consisting of at least 2 persons from each municipality appointed by the respective governing bodies.”
Section 69:3
“If the committee determines that the formation of a district is desirable, it shall prepare a proposed district agreement in accordance with RSA 53-G:4 and hold a public information session in each municipality which is named in the district agreement as a site.”
Section 69:4

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Heath HowardDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Janet WallDRanking Member· Legislative Administration

Also: Rep. David PreeceD, Rep. Matthew CokerR, Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

10 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

40% support50% oppose10% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support HB 569. This bill would enable two or more communities or one county to establish a county-wide communications district. The lack of rural broadband access in New Hampshire has hindered economic development, particularly in rural areas.…”
— David Preece, Manchestersupports
“I am Rick Hiland, Albany NH Selectman & Albany Rep to the Carroll County Communications District, and I think that this is repetitious legislation. RSA 53-G already allows for a county wide communications district.…”
— Rick Hiland, Albanyneutral

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 3, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0561h18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-0561hadopted
  • Mar 13, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0561hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 1, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 1, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 22, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 10, 2025Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government36:08–40:023m 54slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 3, 2025Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government4:15:15–4:24:369m 21slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0561h; Executive Session
  • Mar 13, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0561h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0561h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 15, 2025Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs1:08:57–1:13:234m 26slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 1, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 22, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 3 P. 16
  2. Feb 10, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/10/2025 09:50 am LOB 301-303
  3. Mar 3, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2025 01:00 pm LOB 301-303
  4. Mar 3, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0561h 03/03/2025 (Vote 18-0; CC)
  5. Mar 13, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0561h: AA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 16
  6. Mar 13, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0561h: MA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 16
  7. Mar 13, 2025SenIntroduced 03/13/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 8
  8. Apr 15, 2025SenHearing: 04/15/2025, Room 103, LOB, 10:15 am; SC 17
  9. May 1, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/01/2025; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 19
  10. May 1, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/01/2025; SJ 11
  11. May 22, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/22/2025); SJ 15
  12. May 22, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 51
  13. Jun 2, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 06/02/2025; Chapter 69; eff. 08/01/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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