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HB 1247 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

Notice of proposed constitutional amendments

AI-generated

requiring the secretary of state to create, post on the secretary of state's website, and otherwise distribute notice of proposed constitutional amendments.

Requires the secretary of state to create, post on the secretary of state's website, and distribute notice of proposed constitutional amendments.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill requires the secretary of state to create, post on the secretary of state's website, and otherwise distribute notice of proposed constitutional amendments.

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 town and city clerk shall prominently display a notice prepared by the secretary of state explaining the constitutional amendment for voters and directing voters to the department of state's website for additional information.”
RSA 663:3-b
“The notice shall contain the scheduled date of the vote and other information about the constitutional amendment as described in RSA 663:3.”
RSA 663:3-b
“The secretary of state shall maintain a webpage on the department of state's website providing the same information as the prepared notice.”
RSA 663:3-b
“Such notice shall be displayed for at least 60 days prior to the state-wide vote on the constitutional amendment. 91:2 Effective Date.”
RSA 663:3-b

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Robert WherryRPrimeChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
  • Rep. Claudine BurnhamRClerk· Election Law

Also: Rep. Donald McFarlaneR, Rep. Linda McGrathR, Rep. Mary MurphyR, Rep. Clayton WoodR

Public testimony

131 signed in online · 26 wrote testimony

97% support3% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The Fish & Game department needs to be able to draw from a broad spectrum of science-based methods for managing and controlling wildlife in New Hampshire, not just relying on public hunting and fishing to do the job.”
— Bonnie Hill, South Suttonsupports
“Constitutional amendments can be complicated and sometimes hard to understand; therefore, the Secretary of State's office posting such amendments would allow voters to study and understand them prior to actually enter the voting booth. Please vote in favor of this bill.”
— Patricia Goodlin, New Londonsupports
“Please support HB 1247: to require the Secretary of State to create, post on the SOS website, and distribute notice of proposed constitutional amendments. These are often important bills but poorly understood.…”
— Abby evankow, Gorhamsupports
“HB 1247 is not about informing voters — it is about establishing authority over how constitutional amendments are framed.…”
— Bonnie Bruno, Hollisopposes

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· consent calendar: Ought to Pass17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 9, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 9, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law6:09:04–6:13:304m 26slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law2:07:13–2:09:031m 50slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 1, 2026Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs17:52–19:191m 27slocated 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 14, 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 Election Law HJ 1 P. 12
  2. Feb 3, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/03/2026 02:20 pm GP 158
  3. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 158
  4. Mar 3, 2026House: Ought to Pass 03/03/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 10 P. 14
  5. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 21
  6. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7
  7. Apr 1, 2026SenHearing: 04/01/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:15 pm; SC 12
  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 14, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  11. May 14, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
  12. May 28, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/28/2026; Chapter 91; eff. 07/27/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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