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HB 1693 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

More Grafton county commissioners

AI-generated

expanding the number of Grafton county commissioners.

Expands the number of Grafton county commissioners to five, assigns each commissioner a district, and establishes provisions for their election and terms.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 expands the number of Grafton county commissioners to 5 commissioners, assigns each commissioner a district, and provides for the election and terms therefor.

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

“At each subsequent state general election, [2] 5 commissioners shall be chosen in the county by the voters of the districts [in which a commissioner's term is expiring; and, of the commissioners so chosen, one shall serve a 4-year term and one shall serve a 2-year term and both shall hold their offices until their successors are chosen and qualified.”
Section 2
“Following the 2022 state general election, the 4-year term shall be rotated in sequence starting with district 2] and shall be elected to 2-year terms. 3 ?Application;”
Section 2

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Joseph BartonRPrime
  • Rep. Marie Louise BjelobrkRClerk· Municipal and County Government

Also: Rep. Calvin BeaulierR, Rep. Linda FranzR, Rep. Donald McFarlaneR, Rep. John SellersR

Public testimony

31 signed in online · 14 wrote testimony

39% support61% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Dearr live Free or Die, I am in support of this bill expanding to more commissioners. My Commissioner, Martha McLeod, does not work for me and I never voted for her. She runs on one side Democrat only and she doesn't listen to all of her constituents.…”
— Kimberli Carpenter, Bentonsupports
“Grafton County is expansive. Three representatives are NOT enough. We need better representation.”
— Kelley Wile, N Haverhillsupports
“I support this bill. Grafton is a very large county in area. I believe the needs of the highly populated areas are very different from the more rural areas and everyone’s voice should be heard.”
— Leslie Creamer, North Haverhillsupports
“There is no clear reason to increase the number of County Commissioners in Grafton County. County Government has always functioned as a non partisan entity with collaboration across the parties involved.…”
— Martha McLeod, Franconiaopposes
“My name is Karen Bemis and I live and vote in Bristol. I OPPOSE this bill because this is not the usual time for redistricting. Also, this will cost taxpayers more money for additional salaries and travel expenses.…”
— Karen Bemis, Bristolopposes
“I am concerned about the financial impact of adding the cost of two additional salaries and travel expenses. The major issue is redistricting outside of the usual time for redistricting. I believe things are fine as is that we need to be fiscally aware.”
— Andrea Powers, Bristolopposes

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
  • Jan 13, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate12–2
    Overall
    86% yea
  • Feb 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government1:41:38–1:45:484m 10slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

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 Municipal and County Government HJ 1 P. 31
  2. Jan 13, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/13/2026 10:15 am GP 154
  3. Jan 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/13/2026 10:15 am GP 154
  4. Jan 13, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/13/2026 (Vote 12-2; CC) HC 5 P. 14
  5. Feb 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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