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CACR 25 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Constitutional right to marry

AI-generated

relative to the right to marry. Providing that the right to marry is a fundamental civil right and that the state shall protect the right of every individual, regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or race, to marry and to have their marriage legally recognized.

Proposes a state constitutional amendment establishing marriage as a fundamental civil right and requiring the state to recognize and protect every individual's right to marry and have their marriage legally recognized regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or race, subject to voter approval in November 2026.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 13, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. On the ballot

Analysis

This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution would establish marriage as a fundamental civil right and that the state shall protect the right of every individual, regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or race, to marry and to have their marriage legally recognized.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“The state of New Hampshire recognizes and shall protect the right of every individual, regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or race, to marry and to have their marriage legally recognized.”
From the bill
“No law, ordinance, policy, or governmental action in this state shall deny or abridge the right to marry, or refuse to recognize a lawful marriage, on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or race.”
From the bill
“All marriages and all spouses shall be afforded equal treatment under the laws of New Hampshire.”
From the bill
“No law, ordinance, policy, or governmental action shall assign differing rights, obligations, protections, or benefits to marriages or spouses on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or race.”
From the bill

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Alice WadeDPrime
  • Rep. Alissandra MurrayDClerk· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Christal LloydDDeputy Ranking Member· State, Federal, and Veterans Affairs

Also: Rep. Billie ButlerD, Rep. Dylan GermanaD, Sen. David WattersD, Sen. Donovan FentonD

Public testimony

638 signed in online · 226 wrote testimony

99% support1% oppose0% neutral

ForMarriage is a fundamental civil right

AgainstGovernment should not license marriage at all

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“We need to enshrine marriage equality into law in New Hampshire. I support this proposed amendment which will do that.”
— Haley Demers, Portsmouthsupports
“Enshrining marriage equality in our NH constitution will firm up the right for all NH citizens to marry who they love rather than treating some people as second class citizens and is consistent with our Live Free or Die motto and ethos in the 603!”
— Stephanie Cawley, Center Conwaysupports
“Testimony in Support of CACR 25 Relating to the right to marry.…”
— Lindsey Whipps, Concordsupports
“I don't want government intrusion in marriage at all. Get rid of marriage licenses altogether”
— Megan Schmitt, CONCORDopposes
“I am aganist this Bill. Getting rid of gay marriage and interracial marriage directly opposes basic human rights to freedom of expression. Interracial marriage and gay marriage does not hurt anyone.”
— Hazel Lichtenwalner, nottinghamopposes

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
  • Jan 28, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate11–7
    Overall
    61% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseVoice voteSpecial Order to the next order of business (Rep. Weber)adopted
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseRoll callInexpedient to LegislateAdopted176–162How they voted
    Overall
    52% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    176–697% yea
    Democrats
    0–1560% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 21, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary2:07:34–2:18:4911m 15slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing; Executive Session
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor7:16:00–7:21:385m 38slocated in the stream transcriptInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, roll call 176-162; Special Order to the next order of business (Rep. Weber) — 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 Judiciary HJ 1 P. 41
  2. Jan 21, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2026 11:30 am GP 230
  3. Jan 21, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/21/2026 11:30 am GP 230
  4. Jan 28, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/28/2026 (Vote 11-7; RC) HC 10 P. 98
  5. Feb 2, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseSpecial Order to the next order of business (Rep. Weber): MA VV 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 104
  7. Mar 12, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 176-162 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 105

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

Documents (PDF)

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