HB 1131 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee
Ballot referendum question placement rules
AI-generatedrelative to the official ballot referendum form of town meetings.
Requires that a question proposing to adopt the official ballot referendum form of town meeting be placed first on the annual meeting warrant, and adjusts related bond-article voting procedures.AI-generated
Status
Recommended for passage but never voted; died at adjournment · May 5, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✓House
- ✕Senate
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill amends the method of adopting official ballot referendum form of meeting.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Rep. JD BernardyRClerk· Science, Technology and Energy
- Rep. Juliet Harvey-BoliaRDeputy Majority Floor Leader
- Rep. James QualeyRVice Chair· Election Law
- Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
- Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
- Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
Also: Rep. Deborah AylwardR, Rep. Richard BrownR, Rep. Jose CambrilsR, Rep. Jim KofaltR, Rep. Paul TerryR, Rep. John SellersR, Sen. Tim McGoughR
Public testimony
120 signed in online · 67 wrote testimony
97% support3% oppose0% neutral
ForBallot voting is more accessible than in-person meetings
AgainstBallot voting removes local debate and should be town-initiated
AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.
Read the argumentsIn their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“Please support HB1131 so voters can have their wishes heard via the SB2 system which greatly increases participation in town and school meetings by having all warrant articles voted on by ballot any time on town election day or by absentee ballot.”
“Moving SB2 to a ballot restores the intent of the original legislation. SB2 has become a political football issue that erodes good governance and decision making, thanks in part to the 2019 change to move it to a warrant article decision.…”
“Please adopt this bill. It will allow a broader representation to vote for those of us who may not be able to attend an evening vote. Thank you for your consideration.”
“SB2 effectively eliminates debate and discussion. I am not in favor of the option being brought to the ballot without local input. Let each town bring it forward if the voters decide to call the question not the state.”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Hearings
- 2026-01-239:00 amHouse Municipal and County GovernmentGP 154Public hearing
- 2026-02-179:00 amHouse Municipal and County GovernmentGP 154Public hearingrescheduled
- 2026-03-319:00 amSenate Election Law and Municipal AffairsSH 122-123Public hearing
Legislative history
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 1 P. 7
- Jan 23, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/23/2026 02:00 pm GP 154
- Feb 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/17/2026 09:00 am GP 154
- Feb 17, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 02/17/2026 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 10 P. 63
- Feb 27, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
- Mar 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 181-159 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 29
- Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7
- Mar 31, 2026SenHearing: 03/31/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 12
- May 7, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1595s, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
- May 7, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1595s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
- May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1595s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
- May 21, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1595s (Rep. Pauer): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 21
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.