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HB 1322 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Reestablishing judicial conduct commission

AI-generated

reestablishing the judicial conduct commission.

Reestablishes the judicial conduct commission to investigate complaints against judges and clerks and make recommendations to the legislature, operating concurrently with the New Hampshire supreme court's disciplinary authority.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · February 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill reestablishes the judicial conduct commission to investigate complaints against judges and clerks and make recommendations to the legislature regarding the exercise of the legislature's constitutional powers. The commission is designed to operate concurrently with the New Hampshire supreme court's disciplinary authority.

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

“A judicial conduct commission is hereby established as an investigative and advisory body to assist the legislature in fulfilling its constitutional duties under part II, articles 17 and 73 of the New Hampshire constitution.”
RSA 494-A:1
““Clerk” means a clerk of court or a deputy clerk, a register of probate or deputy register, a court stenographer or reporter, and any person performing the duties of a clerk, register, or reporter.”
RSA 494-A:2
“The commission shall select and appoint an executive director as the administrator of the commission.”
RSA 494-A:3
“The initial terms of office for the 11 commission members shall be determined by lot at the commission's first meeting as follows:”
RSA 494-A:5

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreRPrime
  • Rep. Claudine BurnhamRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Rep. Shane SiroisRClerk· Legislative Administration

Also: Rep. Glenn BaileyR, Rep. Susan DeRoyR, Rep. Diane KelleyR, Rep. Rich NalevankoR, Rep. Kelley PotenzaR, Rep. Paul TerryR

Public testimony

87 signed in online · 8 wrote testimony

5% support95% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“We have a convicted criminal currently serving on the state's supreme court. That's really all that needs to be said, but it is not a good look for the state regardless of whether she is hearing cases.…”
— Simon Berrio, Daltonsupports
“This Bill unnecessarily reestablishes the judicial conduct commission.”
— Richard DeMark, Meredithopposes
“There should be no statute of limitations when it comes to seeking just and equitable execution of law. I don't understand why we need a new committee on top of the committee that already exists.”
— Alyssa Goss, Hennikeropposes
“This attack on the independence of our state's judiciary and the rule of law has no place in our legislature. We need to trust and respect our judicial system, not undermine it. I strongly urge an ITL vote on this bill.”
— Martha Jane Rich, Enfieldopposes

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 4, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate15–1
    Overall
    94% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseDivisionLay HB1322 on Table (Rep. Lynn)Adopted250–91
    Overall
    73% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary5:25:56–5:37:3011m 34slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:42:07–4:47:215m 14slocated in the stream transcriptLay HB1322 on Table (Rep. Lynn) — adopted, division 250-91

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 Judiciary HJ 1 P. 15
  2. Feb 4, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2026 02:30 pm GP 230
  3. Feb 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/04/2026 02:30 pm GP 230
  4. Feb 4, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/04/2026 (Vote 15-1; RC) HC 7 P. 35
  5. Feb 10, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseLay HB1322 on Table (Rep. Lynn): MA DV 250-91 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 92

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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