HB 1097 · 2026 · House · Legislative Administration Committee
Legislative approval for historical markers
AI-generatedrequiring legislative approval of the amendment or permanent removal of historical markers.
Requires legislative approval for the amendment or permanent removal of historical markers.AI-generated
Status
Vetoed by the governor — the override vote has not been held yet · June 24, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✓House
- ✓Senate
- Governor
- Law
Governor's veto message
“I have tremendous respect for the principle of separation of powers outlined in the New Hampshire Constitution, and I find no compelling reason that the Legislature should be given responsibility over the process of removing historical markers. Governor Sununu vetoed similar legislation to this in 2024 on the same grounds. For these reasons, I have decided to veto HB 1097.”
A passage from the Governor's veto message, quoted verbatim. The full message enters the record on veto day.
Analysis
This bill requires legislative approval of the amendment or permanent removal of historical markers.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
In the bill's words
Quoted verbatim from the bill as passed by both chambers.
“Before amending or permanently removing any matter, the commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources shall secure the approval of the joint legislative historical committee.”
Adds a legislative-committee approval requirement before any historical marker is amended or permanently removed.AI-generated
“Before placing any marker, the commissioner shall secure the state historic preservation office's approval of the marker, its location and its wording.”
Retains the existing requirement that the historic preservation office approve a marker's placement, location, and wording.AI-generated
“The state historic preservation office shall make any investigation needed to obtain information on the event to be commemorated and on the appropriate location for the marker, including consulting historians and holding public hearings.”
Describes the research and public-input process behind marker decisions.AI-generated
“The state historic preservation office established under RSA 227-C shall consult with the commissioner of transportation on the marker program.”
Establishes the consulting relationship between the historic preservation office and the transportation commissioner on markers.AI-generated
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
- Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
- Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
Public testimony
7 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony
71% support14% oppose14% neutral
AgainstCentralizes control away from local communities
AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.
Read the argumentsIn their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“This bill centralizes legislative control rather than local communities”
“Isn't there a more appropriate review group than the legislative fiscal committee?”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Hearings and debates
- Jan 22, 2026Public hearingHouse Legislative Administration4:47:02–5:22:4735m 45s
- Jan 29, 2026Executive sessionHouse Legislative Administration1:44:19–2:00:5816m 39s
- Feb 25, 2026Full committee work sessionHouse Legislative Administration37:02–46:209m 18s
- Feb 25, 2026Executive sessionHouse Legislative Administration1:33:23–1:39:055m 42s
- Mar 25, 2026Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration1:36:28–1:44:448m 16s
Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.
Votes
yeanay- Overall100% yea
- Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
- May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0Overall100% yea
- May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
Legislative history
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Legislative Administration HJ 1 P. 6
- Jan 22, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2026 01:45 pm GP 234
- Jan 29, 2026House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 01/29/2026 10:00 am GP 234
- Feb 25, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/25/2026 09:00 am GP 234
- Feb 25, 2026House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 02/25/2026 10:00 am GP 234
- Feb 25, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0503h 02/25/2026 (Vote 10-0; CC) HC 10 P. 27
- Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0503h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 55
- Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0503h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 55
- Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 7
- Mar 25, 2026SenHearing: 03/25/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:40 am; SC 11
- May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
- May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
- Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
- Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
- Jun 19, 2026HouseVetoed by Governor Ayotte 06/19/2026
Coverage
- Ayotte's veto hand strong on bills passed by fellow RepublicansKeene Sentinel · Jun 25, 2026
Lists HB 1097, requiring legislative approval of the amendment or permanent removal of historical markers, among the Republican-passed bills Ayotte vetoed.AI-generated
- HB 1097 (2026) | NH Legislation | Citizens CountCitizens Count
Bill-tracking page explaining HB 1097 would require the commissioner of natural and cultural resources to obtain Joint Legislative Historical Committee approval before amending or removing historical markers, and notes the governor's veto.AI-generated
Background reading
Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.
- New Hampshire historical markersExplainer
Wikipedia — Background on New Hampshire's historical highway marker program, its history since 1958, and how markers are proposed.AI-generated
- New Hampshire's Historical Highway MarkersNH context — official
NH Division of Historical Resources — The state historical resources agency's interactive story map documenting markers placed across New Hampshire.AI-generated
New Hampshire Public Radio — Reporting on the state's removal of the Elizabeth Gurley Flynn marker weeks after it was installed.AI-generated
NBC Boston — Coverage of the lawsuit by marker sponsors arguing the state ignored its own procedures for retiring markers.AI-generated
- Judge tosses suit over New Hampshire removing historical marker dedicated to Communist Party leaderCritics
Fox News — Report on the court dismissing the challenge to the marker's removal, reflecting objections raised to the marker.AI-generated
WBUR — Regional public-radio account of the removal decision and the reaction from historians and officials.AI-generated
Documents (PDF)
- Introducedversion
- As Amended by the Houseversion
- Adopted by both chambersversion
- Chaptered (final law)version
- Amendment 2026-0503hamendment
- Governor's veto statementveto
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.