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SB 534 · 2026 · Senate · Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee

Political contribution compliance rules

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to compliance with certain political expenditures and contribution statutes.

Prohibits certain foreign nationals from making political contributions during state election cycles and requires political committees to affirm compliance with contribution and expenditure statutes or pay penalties for willful violations.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 15, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill strengthens enforcement against foreign funding and foreign direction of campaigns for constitutional amendments and local ballot questions.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Kevin AvardRPrimeDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRChair· Election Law and Internal Affairs
  • Sen. Sharon CarsonRPresident of the Senate
  • Rep. Shane SiroisRClerk· Legislative Administration
  • Rep. Diane PauerRChair· Municipal and County Government

Also: Rep. Jim KofaltR, Rep. Diane KelleyR

Public testimony

52 signed in online · 6 wrote testimony

12% support88% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I'm in favor of the idea, but we should probably allocate funding to audit and find people who do not obey the rules. There are many ways that intermediaries have been used to help elect people in the USA who are favorable to other governments.…”
— james sullivan, bedfordsupports
“I oppose this bill relative to foreign funding and influence in constitutional amendment and local ballot question campaigns.”
— Rozlyn Levine, Hopkintonopposes
“How many of your bills this year will actually help more people participate in our democracy? Not many. This will not only help people be involved but will take cost/effort out of government, saving us money.”
— Steven Borne, Ryeopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-279:00 amSenate Election Law and Municipal AffairsSH 122-123Public hearing
  • 2026-03-3110:00 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-04-0710:00 amHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-04-091:00 pmHouse Election LawGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-05-0410:00 amHouse Finance - Division IGP 230Public hearing
  • 2026-05-0510:30 amHouse FinanceGP 230Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 1
  2. Jan 27, 2026SenHearing: 01/27/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:15 am; SC 3
  3. Feb 19, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0645s, 02/19/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 6
  4. Feb 19, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0645s, AA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  5. Feb 19, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0645s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Election Law HJ 5 P. 124
  7. Mar 31, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/31/2026 11:00 am GP 158
  8. Apr 7, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 04/07/2026 10:00 am GP 158
  9. Apr 9, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 04/09/2026 01:00 pm GP 158
  10. Apr 9, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/09/2026 01:30 pm GP 158
  11. Apr 9, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1406h (NT) 04/09/2026 (Vote 18-0; RC)
  12. Apr 23, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1406h: AA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 54
  13. Apr 23, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1406h: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 54
  14. Apr 23, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 54
  15. May 4, 2026HouseDivision I Work Session: 05/04/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  16. May 5, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 05/05/2026 10:30 am GP 230
  17. May 5, 2026House: Ought to Pass 05/05/2026 (Vote 24-0; CC) HC 19 P. 14
  18. May 14, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 24
  19. May 14, 2026SenSen. Gray Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C, MA, VV; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  20. May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Perkins Kwoka; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  21. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Rep. Berry): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 10
  22. May 21, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Berry, Qualey, Wood, Burnham 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 10
  23. May 22, 2026SenCommittee of Conference Meeting: 05/22/2026, 02:00 pm, Room 159, GP
  24. May 21, 2026SenConferee Change; Senator Rosenwald Replaces Senator Perkins Kwoka; SJ 14
  25. May 22, 2026HouseConferee Change: Rep. Lane Replaces Rep.Burnham 05/22/2026 HJ 14 P. 34
  26. May 22, 2026SenConferee Change; Senator Birdsell Replaces Senator Rosenwald; SJ 14
  27. May 28, 2026HouseConference Committee Report # 2026-2030c Filed 05/28/2026; As Amended by the House HC 22
  28. Jun 4, 2026HouseConference Committee Report 2026-2030c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  29. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-2030c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
  30. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
  31. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  32. Jul 10, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 07/10/2026; Chapter 314; Effective 01/01/2027

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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