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HB 613 · 2025 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Accessible voting system notices

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to use of accessible voting systems.

Requires city and town clerks to provide specific public notice regarding the use of accessible voting machines.AI-generated

Status

Vetoed; the override vote failed, so the veto stands · December 17, 2025
  1. Introduced
  2. House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Governor's veto message

This legislation impacts people with disabilities and would conflict with federal law that requires accessible voting systems be available at all polling places during federal elections.
Gov. Kelly Ayotte · Aug 1, 2025

The House voted 150201 on the override (Dec 17, 2025) — short of the two-thirds required, so the veto was sustained.

Analysis

This bill enables local political subdivisions that have adopted the official ballot referendum form of meeting to adopt provisions for an annual choice for a reduced default budget.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Juliet Harvey-BoliaRPrimeDeputy Majority Floor Leader
  • Rep. Dan McGuireRVice Chair· Finance
  • Rep. Jason OsborneRMajority Leader
  • Rep. Diane PauerRChair· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law

Public testimony

211 signed in online · 32 wrote testimony

11% support89% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

I appreciate the opportunity to speak in support of HB 613. This bill empowers local political subdivisions by providing voters with a clear, direct mechanism to adopt a reduced default operating budget when the proposed operating budget is defeated.
Blossom Dodge, Concordsupports
This seems to be a common sense bill that will help local municipalities that have official ballot referenda-format meetings to save time and efforts by preplanning a lower default budget in line-item expenses for voters to consider.
Nancy Louth, Hamptonsupports
Granite State Taxpayers supports efforts and legislation to promote awareness of the financial impact on taxpayers of spending and taxing options, to institute and defend tax cap legislation, and promote better public awareness of the impacts of proposed projects and ballot choices.
Ray Chadwick, BEDFORDsupports
I oppose HB 613 because it would allow for arbitrary reductions to school district budgets, threatening essential educational programs and resources for students.
Laura Abbene, Orfordopposes
This bill is outrageous! Leave the default budgets alone! You cannot expect a quality education on a severely reduced school budget. A decimated default budget would most likely result in a loss of educators and paraprofessionals.
Carolyn Leite, Manchesteropposes
This is another bill that undermines democracy. If people don't like school budgets, they can run for office and try to find thoughtful ways to reduce budgets. This bill encourages arbitrary cuts to carefully considered budgets.
Peter Miller, Durhamopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-279:00 amHouse Municipal and County GovernmentLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-03-109:30 amHouse Municipal and County GovernmentLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-05-139:15 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. 19
  2. Feb 27, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/27/2025 01:00 pm LOB 301-303
  3. Mar 10, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/10/2025 09:30 am LOB 301-303
  4. Mar 10, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0795h 03/10/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 17 P. 66
  5. Mar 19, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 27, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0795h: AA VV 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 94
  7. Mar 27, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0795h: MA RC 197-158 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 94
  8. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 10
  9. May 13, 2025SenHearing: 05/13/2025, Room 103, LOB, 09:55 am; SC 21
  10. May 15, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/15/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 21A
  11. May 15, 2025SenSen. Gray Moved Laid on Table, MA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  12. May 15, 2025SenPending Motion Ought to Pass; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  13. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Birdsell Moved to Remove From Table, MA, VV; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  14. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Gray Floor Amendment # 2025-2580s, AA, VV; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  15. Jun 5, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2580s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  16. Jun 5, 2025HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2580s and Requests CofC (Rep. Kofalt): MA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 169
  17. Jun 5, 2025HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Berry, Qualey, Wherry, Lane 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 169
  18. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Gray Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  19. Jun 5, 2025SenPresident Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Perkins Kwoka; (In Recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  20. Jun 16, 2025HouseConference Committee Meeting: 06/16/2025 10:45 am LOB 306-308
  21. Jun 16, 2025SenConferee Change; Senator Rochefort Replaces Senator Perkins Kwoka; SJ 17
  22. Jun 16, 2025HouseConferee Change: Rep. Wood Replaces Rep. Lane 06/16/2025 HJ 17 P. 24
  23. Jun 26, 2025SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2025-2771c; 06/26/2025
  24. Jun 26, 2025SenConference Committee Report # 2025-2771c, Adopted, VV; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
  25. Jun 26, 2025HouseConference Committee Report 2025-2771c: Adopted, DV 195-158 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 47
  26. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  27. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 63
  28. Aug 1, 2025HouseVetoed by Governor Ayotte 08/01/2025 HJ 19 P. 26
  29. Dec 17, 2025HouseVeto Sustained 12/17/2025: RC 150-201 Lacking Necessary Two-Thirds Vote HJ 19

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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