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HB 1518 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Remote participation at county meetings

AI-generated

permitting remote participation at county delegation meetings.

Requires county commission or delegation meetings open to the public to allow members to participate remotely when in-person attendance is not reasonably practical.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill requires that county commission or delegation meetings open to the public allow members of the commission or delegation to participate remotely where attendance in person is not reasonably practical.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Hope DamonDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Education Funding
  • Rep. Brian SullivanDSenior Democratic Advisor
  • Rep. Dale GirardRVice Chair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
  • Rep. John CloutierDRanking Member· Public Works and Highways
  • Rep. Lucy WeberDDemocratic Floor Leader

Also: Rep. Janet LucasD, Rep. Terri O'RorkeD, Rep. Thomas OppelD

Public testimony

17 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

76% support18% oppose6% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Thank you for this opportunity to submit my testimony on this bill remotely. My name is Lucy Weber and I represent Cheshire 05, the towns of Surry and Walpole.…”
— Lucy Weber, Walpole · Cheshire 05--Surry and Walpolesupports
“People with barriers that prevent them from attending civic meetings should have the opportunity to engage in civic life. In 2026, we need to expand our idea of what attendance means, as our population ages and still wants to have a voice in their community.”
— Vanessa BLAIS, Manchestersupports
“Luckily, here in Cheshire County, we have this choice for any member who is unable to attend in person. And yes, some have had the need to utilize this tool. This is 2026, we should all be able to take advantage of the technology out there. I urge a "yes" vote on this bill.…”
— Terri O'Rorke, Keenesupports
“The Members of the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities believe this will could have a positive effect on the NH disability community.”
— Chase Eagleson, Concord · Members of the NH Council on Developmental Disabilitiesopposes
“The meetings are so seldom and the commissioners so few that each meeting is important enough to attend in-person regardless of excuse in order to get business done.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-139:30 amHouse Municipal and County GovernmentGP 154Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 1 P. 24
  2. Jan 13, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/13/2026 11:30 am GP 154
  3. Jan 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/13/2026 11:30 am GP 154
  4. Jan 13, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/13/2026 (Vote 12-2; CC) HC 5 P. 13
  5. Feb 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 17

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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