HB 1246 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee
Planning board members on multiple boards
AI-generatedrelative to planning board members serving on other local boards.
Limits a planning board member who also serves on a zoning board to voting on only one of the boards when an application or development project is heard by both.AI-generated
Status
Signed into law · April 22, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✓House
- ✓Senate
- ✓Governor
- ✓Law
Analysis
This bill mandates that a member of a planning board, who also serves on a zoning board, may only participate and vote on one board when an application or development project is heard by both boards.
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
“Any 2 appointed or elected members of the planning board in a city or town may also serve together on any other municipal board or commission, except that no more than one appointed or elected member of the planning board shall serve on the conservation commission, the local governing body, or a local land use board as defined in RSA 672:7.”
“A member who also serves on a zoning board of adjustment shall recuse from voting on any matter previously decided by that board in a quasi-judicial capacity in which the member participated as a voting member.”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Rep. Laurel StavisDRanking Member· Municipal and County Government
- Rep. Diane PauerRChair· Municipal and County Government
Also: Rep. Deborah AylwardR
Public testimony
Votes
yeanay- Jan 20, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass18–0Overall100% yea
- Feb 5, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
- Mar 26, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0Overall100% yea
- Mar 26, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
- Mar 26, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted
Hearings and debates
- Jan 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government5:53:32–5:57:193m 47slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Public Hearing; Executive Session
- Feb 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
- Mar 10, 2026Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs18:13–22:063m 53slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
- Mar 26, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote
Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.
Legislative history
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 1 P. 12
- Jan 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/20/2026 11:05 am GP 154
- Jan 20, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/20/2026 11:05 am GP 154
- Jan 20, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 01/20/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 5 P. 11
- Feb 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 14
- Feb 5, 2026SenIntroduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 4
- Mar 10, 2026SenHearing: 03/10/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:15 am; SC 9
- Mar 26, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/26/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
- Mar 26, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
- Mar 26, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 03/26/2026); SJ 8
- Mar 26, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 56
- Apr 22, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 04/22/2026; Chapter 33; eff. 06/21/2026
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.