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HB 1003 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Grafton county attorney private practice ban

AI-generated

prohibiting the Grafton county attorney from engaging in the private practice of law.

Prohibits the Grafton county attorney from engaging in the private practice of law, with an exception for providing legal services to family members where no conflict of interest exists.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits the Grafton county attorney from engaging in the private practice of law with the exception of providing legal services to family members where no conflict of interest exists.

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

“The Grafton county attorney shall not directly or indirectly engage in the private practice of law or accept any fees or compensation other than her or his official salary for any legal services.”
RSA 7:34-h

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Donald McFarlaneRPrime
  • Rep. Diane PauerRChair· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Lex BerezhnyRAssistant Majority Leader
  • Rep. Jordan UleryRVice Chair· Ways and Means
  • Rep. Marie Louise BjelobrkRClerk· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Bob LynnRChair· Judiciary

Also: Rep. Linda FranzR, Rep. John SellersR, Rep. Joseph BartonR, Rep. Joseph GuthrieR

Public testimony

8 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

25% support75% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I oppose HB1693 because it is a terrible piece of legislation aimed at only one individual, rather than a class of individuals across the board - which reveals its partisan and biased nature. Why not regulate all practicing County Attorneys?…”
— Mary Hakken-Phillips, Hanoveropposes
“Opposition Testimony on HB 1003: Prohibit Grafton County Attorney Private Practice While HB 1003 aims to strengthen prosecutorial integrity and enhance public trust, it fundamentally overlooks the intersectional harms that could arise from its implementation.…”
— Georgina Lambert, Belmontopposes

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
  • Jan 13, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass14–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 5, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 23, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 23, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government5:29:20–5:32:253m 5slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 7, 2026Public hearingSenate JudiciaryWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHearing
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 14, 2026Floor 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 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 1 P. 2
  2. Jan 13, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/13/2026 10:30 am GP 154
  3. Jan 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/13/2026 10:30 am GP 154
  4. Jan 13, 2026House: Ought to Pass 01/13/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 5 P. 9
  5. Feb 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 13
  6. Feb 5, 2026SenIntroduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 4
  7. Apr 7, 2026SenHearing: 04/07/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:20 pm; SC 13
  8. Apr 23, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/23/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 15A
  9. Apr 23, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
  10. May 14, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  11. May 14, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 154
  12. Jun 5, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 06/05/2026; Chapter 117; eff.06/05/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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