Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 1759 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Land use board member disqualification

AI-generated

relative to the disqualification of a member of a local land use board.

Makes a local land use board's vote on a member's disqualification binding rather than advisory, requiring recusal when a majority finds disqualification warranted.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · April 17, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill makes a land use board’s vote on whether a member should be disqualified binding rather than advisory, requiring recusal if a majority finds disqualification is warranted.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the House. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“When uncertainty arises as to the application of paragraph I to a board member in particular circumstances, the board shall, upon the request of that member or another member of the board, vote on the question of whether that member should be disqualified.”
Section 1
“Where the member seeks clarification as to whether recusal is required, he or she shall clearly state the circumstances causing uncertainty.”
Section 1
“Where the member or alternate member believes that another member should recuse himself or herself, that member shall clearly state the facts and present evidence upon which such belief is based.”
Section 1
“The subject member or alternate member shall have an opportunity for rebuttal and to present evidence.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. David FrachtDPrime
  • Rep. Diane PauerRChair· Municipal and County Government

Also: Rep. Deborah AylwardR

Public testimony

1 signed in online

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0240h18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0240hadopted
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0240hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Apr 23, 2026SenateCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 23, 2026SenateVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government1:42:36–1:47:124m 36slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0240h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0240h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 7, 2026Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs1:02:53–1:04:141m 21slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; Inexpedient 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. 34
  2. Jan 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/20/2026 10:40 am GP 154
  3. Feb 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/03/2026 11:15 am GP 153
  4. Feb 3, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0240h 02/03/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 7 P. 19
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0240h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 30
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0240h: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 30
  7. Feb 19, 2026SenIntroduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 5
  8. Apr 7, 2026SenHearing: 04/07/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 10:15 am; SC 13
  9. Apr 23, 2026Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; 04/23/2026; SC 15
  10. Apr 23, 2026SenInexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 04/23/2026; SJ 10

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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