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HB 158 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

Biennial review of absentee ballot data

AI-generated

(New Title) requiring the secretary of state to review absentee ballot data biennially, forward certain requests to the election law unit for review, and make a report to the general court.

Requires the secretary of state to review absentee ballot data biennially, forward certain requests to the election law unit for review, and report to the general court.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 16, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill requires that town and city clerks shall make absentee ballot voter lists available for public inspection, and requires the secretary of state to report on absentee ballots information.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Gregory HillRPrimeChair· Legislative Administration
  • Rep. JD BernardyRClerk· Science, Technology and Energy
  • Rep. Joe SweeneyRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law
  • Rep. Thomas WalshRChair· Transportation
  • Rep. Vanessa SheehanRVice Chair· Legislative Administration
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Mark McConkeyRChair· Capital Budget

Also: Rep. Kevin VervilleR, Rep. Stephen BoydR

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Hearings

  • 2025-02-0410:20 amHouse Election LawLOB 306-308Public hearing
  • 2025-02-1110:10 amHouse Election LawLOB 306-308Public hearing
  • 2025-02-1810:10 amHouse Election LawLOB 306-308Public hearing
  • 2025-03-041:00 pmHouse Election LawLOB 306-308Public hearing
  • 2025-03-119:00 amHouse Election LawLOB 306-308Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-09-1610:15 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-02-179:00 amSenate Election Law and Municipal AffairsSH 122-123Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 2 P. 8
  2. Feb 4, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2025 11:00 am LOB 306-308
  3. Feb 11, 2025House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 02/11/2025 10:10 am LOB 306-308
  4. Feb 18, 2025House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 02/18/2025 10:10 am LOB 306-308
  5. Mar 4, 2025House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 03/04/2025 01:00 pm LOB 306-308
  6. Mar 11, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/11/2025 09:00 am LOB 306-308
  7. Mar 12, 2025HouseRetained in Committee
  8. Sep 16, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 09/16/2025 10:15 am GP 158
  9. Sep 16, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 09/16/2025 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 51 P. 30
  10. Nov 14, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  11. Jan 7, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 179-157 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 157
  12. Jan 29, 2026SenIntroduced 01/29/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 3
  13. Feb 17, 2026SenHearing: 02/17/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:15 am; SC 6
  14. Mar 26, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1214s, 03/26/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
  15. Mar 26, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1214s, AA, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  16. Mar 26, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1214s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  17. Apr 23, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1214s and Requests CofC (Rep. Berry): MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 83
  18. Apr 23, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Berry, Qualey, Burnham, Wood 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 83
  19. May 7, 2026SenSen. Gray Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12
  20. May 7, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Long; (In Recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12
  21. May 27, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/27/2026 09:00 am GP 228
  22. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2100c; 06/04/2026
  23. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-2100c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
  24. Jun 4, 2026HouseConference Committee Report 2026-2100c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  25. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  26. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
  27. Jul 10, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 281; eff. 7/10/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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