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HB 1031 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

Campaign funds for candidate security

AI-generated

enabling candidates for state office to use campaign funds to pay for security measures.

Enables candidates for state office and state officeholders to use campaign funds to pay for security measures.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill enables candidates for state office and state office holders to use campaign funds to pay for security measures.

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

“Disbursements for security measures shall be for the usual and normal charge for such goods or services.”
RSA 664:11-a
“In this section, "usual and normal charge" means, in the case of goods, the price of those goods in the market in which they are ordinarily purchased, and, in the case of services, the hourly or piecework charge for the services at a commercially reasonable rate prevailing at the time the services were rendered.”
RSA 664:11-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Wendy ThomasDPrime
  • Rep. Alissandra MurrayDClerk· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Connie LaneDRanking Member· Election Law
  • Rep. Laura TelerskiDDeputy Democratic Leader

Also: Rep. Thomas OppelD, Sen. Tara ReardonD

Public testimony

68 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

97% support3% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“If the state of NH would pay its fair share, we taxpayers would save far more on property taxes. Stop the gop tax scam for once and for all. NH must fund public education.…”
— Kathy Archibald, Warrensupports
“Candidates should be able to pay for security with campaign funds.”
— Nancy Jerauld, Litchfieldsupports
“That's laughable. "Raise the Ramparts! Set burning moat ablase! Our peasants coming with pitchforks want our hides for our reckless votes! We must spend public funds to defend ourselves from the hoi polloi . The Public must fend for themselves"”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

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

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law4:42:42–4:46:494m 7slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law1:37:31–1:38:411m 10slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0293h; Executive Session
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0293h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0293h — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 17, 2026Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs1:01:52–1:03:251m 33slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1266s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1266s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1266s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floor17:55–19:261m 31slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1266s (Rep. Berry) — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2127e — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2127e Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 4, 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 Election Law HJ 1 P. 3
  2. Jan 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/20/2026 01:40 pm GP 158
  3. Jan 27, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/27/2026 10:10 am GP 158
  4. Jan 27, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0293h 01/27/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 5 P. 5
  5. Feb 5, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0293h: AA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 9
  6. Feb 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0293h: MA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 9
  7. Feb 5, 2026SenIntroduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 4
  8. Mar 17, 2026SenHearing: 03/17/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 10:00 am; SC 10
  9. Apr 9, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1266s, 04/09/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 13
  10. Apr 9, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1266s, AA, VV; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
  11. Apr 9, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1266s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
  12. May 7, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1266s (Rep. Berry): MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 4
  13. May 21, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2127e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 05/21/2026); SJ 14
  14. May 21, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2127e: AA VV (in recess of) 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 38
  15. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  16. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  17. Jul 2, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/02/2026; Chapter 208; eff. 8/31/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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