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HB 1113 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Three-year town moderator terms

AI-generated

enabling towns to establish a 3-year term for town moderators.

Enables towns to establish a three-year term for town moderators.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill enables towns to establish a 3-year term for town moderators.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“Every 2 years or 3 years, as provided under RSA 41:1-a, [commencing in 1978 or 1979, as applicable,] a moderator shall be chosen by ballot, by plurality vote.”
RSA 40:1
“At any annual town meeting under an article in the warrant, the voters may vote to determine if they are in favor of having 2-year or 3-year terms for the moderator.”
RSA 41:1-a
“The moderator so chosen shall assume office upon the adjournment of the regular town business meeting held in that year in accordance with RSA 39:1 or 39:2-a and upon qualification for office, whichever is later.”
RSA 40:1
“The moderator shall serve through the adjournment of the regular town business meeting 2 years or 3 years following the moderator's election and until the qualification of a successor, whichever is later.”
RSA 40:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Denis MurphyRPrime

Public testimony

3 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

67% support33% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Allowing the Town Moderator to be elected for 3 years would match up with the town clerk. Would work well as long as the Town Clerk and the Moderator's terms were alternating.…”
— Joan Dargie, Milford · Town of Milfordsupports

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 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0806h12–6
    Overall
    67% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0806hadopted
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseDivisionOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0806hAdopted196–144
    Overall
    58% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Apr 9, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 9, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government44:04–52:478m 43slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County GovernmentWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full stream==RECESSED== Executive Session
  • Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government1:42:25–1:46:193m 54slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0806h — roll call; ==CONTINUED== Executive Session
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:38:45–1:41:132m 28slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0806h — adopted, division 196-144; Amendment # 2026-0806h — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 24, 2026Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs1:18:09–1:21:493m 40slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled 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 Municipal and County Government HJ 1 P. 6
  2. Feb 3, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/03/2026 10:05 am GP 154
  3. Feb 17, 2026House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 02/17/2026 09:00 am GP 154
  4. Mar 3, 2026House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 03/03/2026 10:30 am GP 154
  5. Mar 3, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0806h 03/03/2026 (Vote 12-6; RC) HC 10 P. 63
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0806h: AA VV 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 28
  7. Mar 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0806h: MA DV 196-144 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 28
  8. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7
  9. Mar 24, 2026SenHearing: 03/24/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:45 am; SC 11
  10. Apr 9, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/09/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 13
  11. Apr 9, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
  12. May 7, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12
  13. May 7, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 39
  14. May 18, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/18/2026; Chapter 70; eff.07/17/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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