Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
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HB 1396 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

Unfilled house vacancy rule

AI-generated

relative to vacancies in state offices.

Requires a vacancy in the state house of representatives to remain unfilled should one occur.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires leaving a vacancy in the state house of representatives unfilled should one occur.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Joe SweeneyRPrimeDeputy Majority Leader
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law

Public testimony

88 signed in online · 12 wrote testimony

2% support98% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Streamlined procedures for filling vacancies improve government continuity; procedural rather than policy-critical.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Machestersupports
“This bill will be a burden to families with children or people with limited income. It would mean a family of four would have to pay $200.00 just to register most likely making it difficult to purchase bicycles on top of this fee.”
— Kathleen Swaine, Exeteropposes
“This bill deprives voters of NH of representation in the legislature if the person representing them quits, dies, or moves away. The only reason I can see for suggesting this is partisan politics - Democrats have been winning special elections disproportionately!…”
— Christine Bachrach, Granthamopposes
“Please do not make it hard for people to vote. There is no problem here that needs to be solved. Students who are attending college in NH should be able to vote in NH, if they are residents on campus.…”
— Deborah McCarter, Goffstownopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-2710:20 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-03-0310:00 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law HJ 1 P. 18
  2. Jan 27, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/27/2026 01:00 pm GP 158
  3. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 158
  4. Mar 3, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0984h 03/03/2026 (Vote 9-8; RC) HC 10 P. 43
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseLay HB1396 on Table (Rep. Berry): MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 161

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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