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CACR 22 · 2026 · House · Legislative Administration Committee

Abolishing legislator compensation

AI-generated

relating to the compensation of the legislature. Providing that the present compensation per elected term for legislators is hereby abolished.

Amends the state constitution to delete the specified amount of compensation per elected term for the presiding officers and all other members of the general court.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · March 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. On the ballot

Analysis

This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution amends the constitution to delete the legislative compensation amount per elected term for presiding officers and all other members of the general court.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jonah WheelerDPrime
  • Rep. Debra DeSimoneRChair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. John PotucekRVice Chair· Commerce and Consumer Affairs
  • Rep. John SytekRClerk· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Peter PetrignoDRanking Member· Children and Family Law

Also: Rep. Peter LeishmanD, Rep. Diane KelleyR, Rep. Kelley PotenzaR

Public testimony

14 signed in online · 6 wrote testimony

57% support43% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am writing to you today in support of CACR22. I would like to serve my town of Newmarket as a State Representative. However, due to the limited financial compensation, I am unable to do so.…”
— Jonathan Kiper, Newmarketsupports
“It is IMPERATIVE we pay our state reps more so that working-class people can run for these positions. These positions are a big a commitment and for the working-class, it could mean choosing between being a rep and financial stability.…”
— Jane Pellegrini, Fremontsupports
“The N.H. legislature is basically a volunteer position. Volunteers don’t get paid. The state should keep the money and put it to better use.…”
— Peter Petrigno, Milfordsupports
“Eliminating compensation makes it harder for working-class people to serve therefore reducing representation for those communities”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchesteropposes
“No. We know the ASK for higher pay comes next. You volunteered as a citizen to do the job with as-is deal. We don't want to start paying you like professional bureaucrats in MA. That would be the end of NH freedom and beginning of oligarchic politician class.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes
“No! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot-in-the-door_technique Hold the line and keep it as it is and has been all this time.”
— Julie Smith, Epsomopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-221:15 pmHouse Legislative AdministrationGP 234Public hearing
  • 2026-01-2910:00 amHouse Legislative AdministrationGP 234Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Legislative Administration HJ 1 P. 41
  2. Jan 22, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2026 02:15 pm GP 234
  3. Jan 29, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/29/2026 10:00 am GP 234
  4. Jan 29, 2026HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 01/29/2026 (Vote 7-4; RC) HC 9 P. 42
  5. Feb 2, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
  6. Mar 5, 2026HouseLay CACR22 on Table (Rep. Hill): MA RC 175-153 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 120
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseRemove from Table (Rep. H. Howard): MF DV 100-230 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 78

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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