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HJR 1 · 2025 · House · State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Committee

Affirming natural rights of persons

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affirming the natural right of persons and affirming that the state and federal government are established for the purpose of upholding, protecting, and securing these rights.

Affirms the natural rights of persons and declares that state and federal government are established to uphold, protect, and secure those rights.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · March 26, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This house joint resolution affirms the natural right of persons and that the state and federal government are established for the purpose of upholding, protecting, and securing these rights.

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

“Whereas, the source of the just authorities of government are transcendent and legitimized by a constant observance of these principles, and by the consent of the governed which may be withdrawn owing to a failure of such constant observance”
From the bill

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mike BelcherRPrime
  • Rep. Shane SiroisRClerk· Legislative Administration

Also: Rep. Paul TerryR

Public testimony

10 signed in online · 4 wrote testimony

60% support40% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“It breaks my heart that this bill is needed as these inalienable rights are already protected under both NH & US Constitutions. I understand the Sponsors efforts in trying to reinforce both constitutions.…”
— Carol Petrusewicz, Rochestersupports
“It is sad that we actually need this bill. But clearly we do, so I fully support.”
— Russell Hodgkins, Amherstsupports
“It is always good to reaffirm the rights of the state and federal constitutions. Please support this. Thank you”
— William Farnum, Tamworthsupports

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
  • Feb 7, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass10–7
    Overall
    59% yea
  • Mar 26, 2025HouseDivisionLay HJR1 on Table (Rep. Seibert)Adopted182–160
    Overall
    53% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 31, 2025Public hearingHouse State-Federal Relations and Veterans AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamPublic Hearing
  • Feb 7, 2025Public hearingHouse State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs6:14:12–6:17:203m 8slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floor5:37:13–5:40:193m 6slocated in the stream transcriptLay HJR1 on Table (Rep. Seibert) — adopted, division 182-160
  • Dec 17, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamDied on Table, Session ended

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 State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs HJ 2 P. 17
  2. Jan 31, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/31/2025 01:00 pm LOB 206-208
  3. Feb 7, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/07/2025 01:30 pm LOB 206-208
  4. Feb 7, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 02/07/2025 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 17 P. 45
  5. Feb 11, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 26, 2025HouseLay HJR1 on Table (Rep. Seibert): MA DV 182-160 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 94
  7. Dec 17, 2025HouseDied on Table, Session ended 12/17/2025 HJ 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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