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HB 1161 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Optional development district advisory boards

AI-generated

removing the requirement for municipalities to have an advisory board for development districts.

Removes the requirement that municipal legislative bodies establish an advisory board for each development district, instead permitting the creation of such boards.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 28, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill removes the requirement that legislative bodies of municipalities establish an advisory board for each development district and instead permits the creation of such boards.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Matthew HicksDPrime
  • Rep. Dale GirardRVice Chair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy

Also: Rep. Eleana ColbyD, Rep. David FrachtD

Public testimony

4 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

50% support50% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Advisory boards provide important oversight for development projects; removing them risks reduced accountability and community voice.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Machesteropposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-279:30 amHouse Municipal and County GovernmentGP 154Public hearing
  • 2026-03-249:15 amSenate Election Law and Municipal AffairsSH 122-123Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 1 P. 8
  2. Jan 27, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/27/2026 09:40 am GP 154
  3. Feb 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/03/2026 11:15 am GP 153
  4. Feb 3, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 02/03/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 7 P. 17
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 28
  6. Feb 19, 2026SenIntroduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 5
  7. Mar 24, 2026SenHearing: 03/24/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:15 am; SC 11
  8. Apr 9, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/09/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 13
  9. Apr 9, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
  10. May 7, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12
  11. May 7, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 40
  12. May 22, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/22/2026; Chapter 83; eff. 07/21/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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