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HB 1097 · 2026 · House · Legislative Administration Committee

Legislative approval for historical markers

AI-generated

requiring legislative approval of the amendment or permanent removal of historical markers.

Requires legislative approval for the amendment or permanent removal of historical markers.AI-generated

Status

Vetoed; the override vote failed, so the veto stands · August 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✕Governor
  5. Law

Governor's veto message

“I have tremendous respect for the principle of separation of powers outlined in the New Hampshire Constitution, and I find no compelling reason that the Legislature should be given responsibility over the process of removing historical markers. Governor Sununu vetoed similar legislation to this in 2024 on the same grounds. For these reasons, I have decided to veto HB 1097.”
— Gov. Kelly Ayotte · Jun 19, 2026 · excerpt
Governor's press release

The House voted 193–125 on the override (Aug 19, 2026) — short of the two-thirds required, so the veto was sustained. See the roll call.

A passage from the Governor's veto message, quoted verbatim. The full message enters the record on veto day.

Analysis

This bill requires legislative approval of the amendment or permanent removal of historical markers.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as passed by both chambers.

“Before amending or permanently removing any matter, the commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources shall secure the approval of the joint legislative historical committee.”
RSA 236:41

Adds a legislative-committee approval requirement before any historical marker is amended or permanently removed.AI-generated

“Before placing any marker, the commissioner shall secure the state historic preservation office's approval of the marker, its location and its wording.”
RSA 236:41

Retains the existing requirement that the historic preservation office approve a marker's placement, location, and wording.AI-generated

“The state historic preservation office shall make any investigation needed to obtain information on the event to be commemorated and on the appropriate location for the marker, including consulting historians and holding public hearings.”
RSA 236:41

Describes the research and public-input process behind marker decisions.AI-generated

“The state historic preservation office established under RSA 227-C shall consult with the commissioner of transportation on the marker program.”
RSA 236:41

Establishes the consulting relationship between the historic preservation office and the transportation commissioner on markers.AI-generated

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Gregory HillRPrimeChair· Legislative Administration
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration

Public testimony

7 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

71% support14% oppose14% neutral

AgainstCentralizes control away from local communities

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This bill centralizes legislative control rather than local communities”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchesteropposes
“Isn't there a more appropriate review group than the legislative fiscal committee?”
— Roy Schweiker, Concordneutral

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
  • Feb 25, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0503h10–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0503hadopted
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0503hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted
  • Aug 19, 2026HouseRoll callOverride the veto — shall the bill become law notwithstanding the objectionsFailed193–125How they voted
    Overall
    61% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    170–697% yea
    Democrats
    23–11916% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 22, 2026Public hearingHouse Legislative Administration4:47:02–5:22:4735m 45s
  • Jan 29, 2026Executive sessionHouse Legislative Administration1:44:19–2:00:5816m 39s
  • Feb 25, 2026Full committee work sessionHouse Legislative Administration37:02–46:209m 18s
  • Feb 25, 2026Executive sessionHouse Legislative Administration1:33:23–1:39:055m 42s
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0503h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0503h — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2026Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration1:36:28–1:44:448m 16s
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Aug 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:18:06–1:19:251m 19slocated in the stream transcriptVeto Sustained — roll call 193-125

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 Legislative Administration HJ 1 P. 6
  2. Jan 22, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2026 01:45 pm GP 234
  3. Jan 29, 2026House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 01/29/2026 10:00 am GP 234
  4. Feb 25, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/25/2026 09:00 am GP 234
  5. Feb 25, 2026House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 02/25/2026 10:00 am GP 234
  6. Feb 25, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0503h 02/25/2026 (Vote 10-0; CC) HC 10 P. 27
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0503h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 55
  8. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0503h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 55
  9. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 7
  10. Mar 25, 2026SenHearing: 03/25/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:40 am; SC 11
  11. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  12. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  13. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  14. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  15. Jun 19, 2026HouseVetoed by Governor Ayotte 06/19/2026
  16. Aug 19, 2026HouseVeto Sustained 08/19/2026: RC 193-125 Lacking Necessary Two-Thirds Vote HJ 16

Coverage

  • Ayotte's veto hand strong on bills passed by fellow RepublicansKeene Sentinel · Jun 25, 2026

    Lists HB 1097, requiring legislative approval of the amendment or permanent removal of historical markers, among the Republican-passed bills Ayotte vetoed.AI-generated

  • HB 1097 (2026) | NH Legislation | Citizens CountCitizens Count

    Bill-tracking page explaining HB 1097 would require the commissioner of natural and cultural resources to obtain Joint Legislative Historical Committee approval before amending or removing historical markers, and notes the governor's veto.AI-generated

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.