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SB 570 · 2026 · Senate · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Legislative ethics and recusal rules

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to legislative ethics.

Adds definitions used to determine legislator conflicts of interest and expands recusal exceptions to include additional budget-related bills, subject to certain limitations.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · May 14, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill adds definitions related to determining conflicts of interests for legislators and adds additional budget-related bills, subject to certain limitations, to the list of exceptions to the recusal requirements.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“This exception from recusal shall not apply to participation in any official legislative activity regarding amendments to the trailer bill when the amendment concerns solely subject matters as to which the legislator has a conflict of interest.”
RSA 14-C:4-b

Official record

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Sharon CarsonRPrimePresident of the Senate
  • Sen. Ruth WardRDeputy Majority Leader

Public testimony

5 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

60% support40% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The key word is "compensation", which could come in many forms without being "employed"”
— Cory Stone, DOVERsupports

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
  • Mar 26, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1228s5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 26, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-1228sadopted
  • Mar 26, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1228sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 6, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Refer for Interim Study12–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteRefer for Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration19:20–20:531m 33slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 26, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1228s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1228s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1228s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 15, 2026Public hearingHouse Legislative Administration3:04–5:252m 21slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • May 6, 2026Public hearingHouse Legislative Administration12:58–20:317m 33slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study; Executive Session
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamRefer for Interim Study — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 1
  2. Jan 28, 2026SenHearing: 01/28/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:10 am; SC 3
  3. Mar 26, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1228s, 03/26/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
  4. Mar 26, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1228s, AA, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  5. Mar 26, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1228s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  6. Mar 26, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/26/2026 and referred to Legislative Administration HJ 5 P. 54
  7. Apr 15, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/15/2026 10:00 am GP 234
  8. May 6, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 05/06/2026 01:00 pm GP 232
  9. May 6, 2026House: Refer for Interim Study 05/06/2026 (Vote 12-0; CC) HC 19 P. 15
  10. May 14, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 25

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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