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HB 1388 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

One amendment per constitutional ballot question

AI-generated

relative to the form of ballot for amendments to the constitution.

Limits the ballot form for proposed constitutional amendments to one amendment per question.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill limits the form of ballot for amendments to the constitution to one amendment per question.

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 following words shall be printed above the constitutional amendment questions on all ballots containing such questions:”
RSA 663:3
“A constitutional question shall include, in the text of the question, the text of the article of the constitution as it is proposed to be amended, and the results of the vote taken on ordering the proposed amendment to third reading in both the senate and the house of representatives or at the constitutional convention, whichever is appropriate.”
RSA 663:3
“In all circumstances, each constitutional amendment question shall be presented in a manner that the voter is making a single choice on a single constitutional amendment question.”
RSA 663:3
“Under no circumstance shall a voter be asked to make a single vote on multiple constitutional amendment questions. 121:2 Effective Date.”
RSA 663:3

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. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR, Rep. Clayton WoodR

Public testimony

7 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

43% support57% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support HB 1388 because each constitutional amendment deserves a clear, separate question on the ballot.…”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchestersupports
“It shows a hearing on HB1742 but it is not in the draw down menu so I am voting against 1742 here.”
— Karen Burnett-Kurie, Wolfeboroopposes
“I appreciate the goal of clarity in this bill. However, I oppose it as written because it does not include requirements for plain language or accessibility.…”
— CARA CABRAL, MADBURYopposes

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
  • Feb 17, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendarCommittee report: Ought to Pass16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 10, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law1:41:05–1:44:143m 9slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • 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 AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHearing
  • Apr 16, 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. 18
  2. Feb 10, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/10/2026 11:20 am GP 158
  3. Feb 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/17/2026 01:40 pm GP 158
  4. Feb 17, 2026House: Ought to Pass 02/17/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 10 P. 15
  5. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 23
  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, 02:15 pm; SC 12
  8. Apr 16, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/16/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 14
  9. Apr 16, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  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. 154
  12. Jun 5, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 06/05/2026; Chapter 121; eff.06/05/20256

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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