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HB 1085 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Limiting police commission authority

AI-generated

relative to the authority of police commissions.

Redefines and limits the authority of police commissions.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill redefines and limits the authority of police commissions.

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

“For the purpose of this section, the police commission shall not be deemed a governing body under RSA 32.”
RSA 105-C:4
“The duties and powers of the police commission shall be limited to the following powers exclusively.”
RSA 105-C:4
“It shall be the duty of the police commissioners to appoint such police personnel, including police officers, staff, constables, and superior officers, as they deem necessary and to establish pay scales, step systems, or rate schedules as necessary to fix compensation of such police personnel.”
RSA 105-C:4
“The commissioners shall make and enforce all rules necessary for the operation of the police force in the manner most beneficial to the public interest.”
RSA 105-C:4

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. James GuzofskiRPrime

Rep. Denis MurphyR, Rep. Paul TudorR

Public testimony

5 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

20% support80% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Changes to NH RSA 105-C:4 by adding section IV is not needed and would harm how we handle our salary budget.…”
— Gary Boudreau, Rochester · My agency which is governed under a Police Commissionopposes
“The Police Commission is an elected body chosen by the citizens of the community. Residents place their trust and confidence in the Police Commission to make decisions that are in the best interest of the community they serve.…”
— David Stevens, Rochesteropposes

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
  • Feb 17, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 30, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government4:03:06–4:08:325m 26slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government1:47:57–1:52:234m 26slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — 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. 5
  2. Jan 30, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/30/2026 10:50 am GP 154
  3. Feb 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/17/2026 09:00 am GP 154
  4. Feb 17, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/17/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 9 P. 20
  5. Mar 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 26

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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