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SB 488 · 2026 · Senate · Finance Committee

Governor's emergency power over budget impasse

AI-generated

enabling the governor to declare a state of emergency due to the failure of the legislature to pass a budget or continuing resolution to fund the New Hampshire state government by July 1 of the first year of a biennium.

Authorizes the governor to declare a state of emergency if the legislature fails to pass a budget or continuing resolution to fund state government by July 1 of the first year of a biennium.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · May 14, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill enables the governor to declare a state of emergency due to the failure of the legislature to pass a budget or continuing resolution to fund the New Hampshire state government by July 1 of the first year of a biennium.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Sharon CarsonRPrimePresident of the Senate

Public testimony

9 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

56% support44% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This is a common sense bill that would ensure the state government continues to function.”
— Russell Hodgkins, Amherstsupports

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-271:15 pmSenate FinanceSH 103Public hearing
  • 2026-04-0110:00 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearing
  • 2026-04-0810:00 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearing
  • 2026-04-2910:00 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearing
  • 2026-05-0611:00 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Finance; SJ 1
  2. Jan 27, 2026SenHearing: 01/27/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:35 pm; SC 3
  3. Feb 19, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 02/19/2026, Vote 5-2; SC 6
  4. Feb 19, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 5 P. 124
  6. Apr 1, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/01/2026 11:00 am GP 231
  7. Apr 8, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 04/08/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  8. Apr 29, 2026House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 04/29/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  9. May 6, 2026House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 05/06/2026 11:00 am GP 231
  10. May 6, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 05/06/2026 (Vote 16-0; RC) HC 19 P. 23
  11. May 14, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 77

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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