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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.

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

Hearings

  • 2025-03-051:30 pmHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationLOB 306-308Public hearing

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.