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CACR 26 · 2026 · House · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Executive Council check on National Guard

AI-generated

the powers of the governor. the governor shall not call up the national guard without the approval of the executive council.

Amends the state constitution to allow the executive council to vote to prevent the governor from exercising authority over the state's military forces.AI-generated

Status

Committee recommended Inexpedient to Legislate; died at adjournment · March 4, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. On the ballot

Analysis

This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution would amend the New Hampshire constitution to allow the Executive Council to hold a vote to prevent the governor from having power over the military forces of this state.

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

“To decide whether the amendments of the constitution proposed by the 2026 session of the general court shall be approved.”
From the bill
“That the secretary of state shall print the question to be submitted on a separate ballot with other constitutional questions or on the official ballot.”
From the bill
“The ballot containing the question shall include 2 ovals next to the question allowing the voter to vote “Yes” or “No.” If no oval is marked, the ballot shall not be counted on the question.”
From the bill
“The outside of the ballot shall be the same as the regular official ballot except that the words “Questions Relating to Constitutional Amendments proposed by the 2026 General Court” shall be printed in bold type at the top of the ballot.”
From the bill

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Heath HowardDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Tom MannionRAssistant Majority Whip

Public testimony

18 signed in online · 4 wrote testimony

78% support22% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Yes. Defend the Guard has long constitutional roots. Water them.”
— tom luther, claremontsupports
“Declaring the first weekend in June as “Wear Orange” is the very least we can do to remember those whose lives were taken by firearms. They are the leading cause of death for children in the US, not a #1 status to be proud of.”
— PJ Whitney, Doversupports
“I support this bill because the executive council should have more power to limit the powers of the governor. Commanding the national guard is a very great power and should not be done without the consent of the executive council.”
— Samuel Hoehn, Lancastersupports

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, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate13–3
    Overall
    81% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration3:33:54–3:37:473m 53slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration1:01:58–1:07:015m 3slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Executive Session

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 1 P. 41
  2. Feb 4, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2026 01:30 pm GP 231
  3. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 01:00 pm GP 159
  4. Mar 3, 2026HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 03/03/2026 (Vote 13-3; RC) HC 10 P. 87
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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