Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 1369 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Posting requirements for town meeting warrants

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to the manner of posting the warrant for town meetings.

Amends the requirements for posting warrants for town meetings, including special town meetings.AI-generated

Status

Passed over the governor’s veto (override succeeded) · August 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Governor's veto message

“Town meetings are where some of the most important decisions that affect Granite Staters' daily lives are made and play a critical role in ensuring local community voices are heard. The public posting of town meetings notices in print is an important part of notice to ensure participation in the decision-making process. Allowing municipalities to only post these notices online or at the place of the meeting but otherwise not in a printed publication can limit public participation. That is a step in the wrong direction for New Hampshire. For these reasons, I have vetoed HB 1369.”
— Gov. Kelly Ayotte · Jun 19, 2026 · excerpt
Governor's press release

The House voted 305–12 on the override (Aug 19, 2026); the Senate voted 24–0 on the override (Aug 19, 2026) — clearing the two-thirds required, so the veto was overridden. See the roll calls.

A passage from the Governor's veto message, quoted verbatim. The full message enters the record on veto day.

Analysis

This bill amends the requirements for the posting of warrants for town meetings, including special meetings.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted.

“The selectmen shall post the warrant for a special meeting using at least 2 of the 3 following methods:”
RSA 39:4, I

It sets a new minimum of two of three posting methods for special town meeting warrants.AI-generated

“Posted on the town's Internet website, if such exists, at least 14 days before the meeting.”
RSA 39:4, I(c)

It adds online posting as an authorized method of warning a special meeting.AI-generated

“If the warrant for a special meeting is posted on the town’s Internet website, it shall appear prominently on the website's home page, or a link directly to the notice shall appear prominently on the home page.”
RSA 39:4, II

When posted online, the warrant or a link to it must appear prominently on the town website's home page.AI-generated

“The 14 days shall not include the day of posting nor the day of the meeting, but shall include any Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays within the said period.”
RSA 39:5, I

It specifies how the 14-day posting period is counted, including weekends and holidays.AI-generated

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Calvin BeaulierRPrime
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law

Also: Rep. Joseph BartonR

Public testimony

9 signed in online · 4 wrote testimony

67% support33% oppose0% neutral

ForProper posting keeps residents informed

AgainstOpposition to charging fees for bicycle use

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Proper posting ensures residents are informed and can participate fully in local governance.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Machestersupports
“I fully support this bill and believe it will be strengthened by adding language about for how long something must be posted on the website.…”
— Stephanie Vazzano, Concordsupports
“My name is Sherly Harianto, and I am submitting this testimony in strong support of the House bill that would allow the public to access important town documents—such as warrants, notices, and other municipal records—electronically.…”
— Sherly Harianto, Manchestersupports
“A lot of people use bikes for recreational and joy and to teach their children how to ride. I dont think it would be fair to charge to have them on trails, ect.…”
— Shavon Farley, Lebanonopposes

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

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government4:15:02–4:24:559m 53s
  • Feb 17, 2026Executive sessionHouse Municipal and County Government1:23:17–1:29:266m 9s
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0321h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0321h — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 18, 2026Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs1:04:35–1:18:4014m 5s
  • Apr 16, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1323s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1323s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1323s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floor33:08–34:351m 27s
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Aug 19, 2026Floor debateSenate floor1:20:54–1:23:573m 3slocated in the stream transcriptNotwithstanding the Governor's Veto, Shall HB 1369 Become Law — roll call 24-0
  • Aug 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:51:38–1:56:124m 34slocated in the stream transcriptVeto Overridden — roll call 305-12

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. 17
  2. Jan 27, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/27/2026 11:30 am GP 154
  3. Feb 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/17/2026 09:00 am GP 154
  4. Feb 17, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0321h 02/17/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 9 P. 22
  5. Mar 5, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0321h: AA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 28
  6. Mar 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0321h: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 28
  7. Mar 5, 2026SenIntroduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 6
  8. Mar 18, 2026SenHearing: 03/18/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 10
  9. Apr 16, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1323s, 04/16/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 14
  10. Apr 16, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1323s, AA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  11. Apr 16, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1323s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  12. May 7, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1323s (Rep. Pauer): MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 5
  13. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  14. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  15. Jun 19, 2026HouseVetoed by Governor Ayotte 06/19/2026
  16. Aug 19, 2026HouseVeto Overridden 08/19/2026: RC 305-12 by Required Two-Thirds Vote HJ 16
  17. Aug 19, 2026SenNotwithstanding the Governor's Veto, Shall HB 1369 Become Law: RC 24Y-0N, Veto Overridden by necessary two-thirds vote; 08/19/2026; SJ 15
  18. Oct 18, 2026HouseEnacted in accordance with Article 44 PartII of the N.H. Constitution without the signature of the governor. Chapter 341;eff. 10/18/2026

Coverage

  • HB 1369 (2026) | NH LegislationCitizens Count

    HB 1369 would let towns satisfy warrant-posting requirements by posting on the town website in addition to newspaper publication.AI-generated

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

Documents (PDF)

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