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HB 1213 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Town highway agent selection rules

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to the number, selection, and terms of town highway agents and relative to the appointment of an expert highway agent.

Modifies how towns determine the number, selection method, and terms of highway agents, allows a town to rescind authorization for an expert highway agent, and adds requirements governing that appointment process.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · May 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill modifies the methods for determining the number of town highway agents, their method of selection, and the length of their terms. This bill further allows a town to rescind authorization for the appointment of an expert highway agent and provides additional requirements to govern the appointment and authorization processes.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“The town shall have one elected highway agent for a one year term, unless the town decides by majority vote to change that arrangement, pursuant to RSA 231:62-a, or unless the town decides to adopt the provisions of RSA 231:64 for an expert agent.”
RSA 231:62
“At any annual town meeting under an article in the warrant placed there by petition or by the selectmen, the voters may vote to determine if they are in favor of changing the number of town highway agents.”
RSA 231:62-a
“The town may vote at the annual meeting to instruct its selectmen to appoint an expert highway agent, who, under the direction of the selectmen, shall have the same power and perform the same duties as a highway agent elected by the town, or may vote to rescind such authorization.”
RSA 231:64
“The terms of highway agents shall be 1, 2, or 3 years, which may be changed pursuant to RSA 231:62-a.”
RSA 231:62

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Robert WherryRPrimeChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
  • Rep. Diane PauerRChair· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Juliet Harvey-BoliaRDeputy Majority Floor Leader
  • Rep. Tom MannionRAssistant Majority Whip

Also: Rep. Cyril AuresR, Rep. John SellersR, Rep. Richard BrownR

Public testimony

1 signed in online

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 17, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0408h (NT)10–7
    Overall
    59% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseDivisionLay HB1213 on Table (Rep. Stavis)Failed163–179
    Overall
    48% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseDivisionAmendment 2026-0408hAdopted190–158
    Overall
    55% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseDivisionOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0408hAdopted183–165
    Overall
    53% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 30, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government7:01:50–7:08:196m 29slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government5:30:33–5:35:044m 31slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0408h (NT) — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor2:05:30–2:15:189m 48slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0408h — adopted, division 183-165; Amendment # 2026-0408h (NT) — adopted, division 190-158; Lay HB1213 on Table (Rep. Stavis) — failed, division 163-179
  • Apr 21, 2026Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs1:36:54–1:38:021m 8slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; Inexpedient to Legislate — 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. 10
  2. Jan 30, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/30/2026 11:10 am GP 154
  3. Feb 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/17/2026 09:00 am GP 154
  4. Feb 17, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0408h (NT) 02/17/2026 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 10 P. 66
  5. Feb 27, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseLay HB1213 on Table (Rep. Stavis): MF DV 163-179 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 37
  7. Mar 12, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0408h (NT): AA DV 190-158 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 37
  8. Mar 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0408h: MA DV 183-165 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 37
  9. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7
  10. Apr 21, 2026SenHearing: 04/21/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 10:00 am; SC 15
  11. May 7, 2026Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; 05/07/2026; SC 17
  12. May 7, 2026SenInexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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