HB 1298 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

Disposal of ballot counter memory devices

relative to the disposal of electronic ballot counting device external memory devices.

Requires external memory devices from certain electronic ballot counting devices to be destroyed in the same manner as ballots.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 24, 2026

✓Introduced
✓House
✓Senate
✓Governor
✓Law

Analysis

This bill requires the external memory devices from certain electronic ballot counting devices to be destroyed in the same way as ballots.

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

“The external storage devices of electronic ballot counting devices, including those that capture digital images, shall be disposed of in the same manner as ballots, absentee ballot applications, affidavit envelopes, and lists.”

Section 162:1

“Disposal may be achieved by either physically destroying the storage device or by secure erasure that permanently destroys all election-related data on the storage device, including election programming, vote tallies, and digital images.”

Section 162:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Public testimony

4 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

50% support50% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay

Starting text: Bill as introduced

Feb 17, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendarCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0603h16–0
Overall
100% yea
Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0603hadopted
Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0603hadopted
Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
Apr 23, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1507s5–0
Overall
100% yea
Apr 23, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-1507sadopted
Apr 23, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1507sadopted
Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
May 7, 2026HouseVoice voteHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1507s (Rep. Berry)adopted
Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law6:22:37–6:36:0213m 25slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0603h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0603h — adopted, voice vote
Apr 1, 2026Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs32:02–34:082m 6slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
Apr 23, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1507s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1507s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1507s — adopted, voice vote
May 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floor20:15–21:361m 21slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1507s (Rep. Berry) — adopted, voice vote
Jun 4, 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

Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law HJ 1 P. 14
Feb 3, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/03/2026 03:00 pm GP 158
Feb 10, 2026House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 02/10/2026 11:00 am GP 158
Feb 17, 2026House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 02/17/2026 01:40 pm GP 158
Feb 17, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0603h 02/17/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 10 P. 14
Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0603h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 22
Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0603h: MA VV [&] HJ 7 P. 22
Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7
Apr 1, 2026SenHearing: 04/01/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 12
Apr 23, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1507s, 04/23/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 15
Apr 23, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1507s, AA, VV; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
Apr 23, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1507s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
May 7, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1507s (Rep. Berry): MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 4
Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
Jun 19, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 06/19/2026; Chapter 162; eff. 08/18/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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