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HB 1689 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Longer terms for county officers

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to the term of office for county officers in Belknap and Merrimack counties.

Extends the term of office for certain elected county officers in Belknap and Merrimack counties to four years and requires Merrimack county officer elections to coincide with the presidential election cycle.AI-generated

Status

Recommended for passage but never voted; died at adjournment · March 23, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill extends the term of office for certain elected county officers in Merrimack county to 4 years. The bill also requires that the elections for such Merrimack county officers coincides with the presidential election every 4 years.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Bryan MorseRPrime

Public testimony

2 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

0% support50% oppose50% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Officers should have the same terms as state representatives”
— Roy Schweiker, Concordopposes

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
  • 2026-03-179:00 amSenate Election Law and Municipal AffairsSH 122-123Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 1 P. 31
  2. Jan 13, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/13/2026 09:50 am GP 154
  3. Jan 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/13/2026 09:50 am GP 154
  4. Jan 16, 2026House: Ought to Pass 01/16/2026 (Vote 15-1; CC) HC 5 P. 14
  5. Feb 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 17
  6. Feb 5, 2026SenIntroduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 4
  7. Mar 17, 2026SenHearing: 03/17/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:15 am; SC 10
  8. Mar 26, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1204s, 03/26/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
  9. Mar 26, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1204s, AA, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  10. Mar 26, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1204s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  11. Apr 9, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1204s (Rep. Pauer): MF RC 65-287 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 8
  12. Apr 9, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1204s (Rep. Sweeney): MA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 10

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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