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HB 1394 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Ballot vote on charter government changes

AI-generated

enabling the municipal officers to place a proposed charter amendment on the ballot that changes the form of government of the municipality.

Enables municipal officers to place a proposed charter amendment changing the municipality's form of government on the ballot.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill enables the municipal officers to place a proposed charter amendment on the ballot that changes the form of government of the municipality.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Any such amendment shall be adopted upon receiving a majority of those voting on the question.”
Section 1
“Each amendment shall be limited to a single subject, but more than one section of the charter may be amended as long as it is germane to that subject.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Joe SweeneyRPrimeDeputy Majority Leader

Public testimony

8 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

25% support75% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Giving residents the ability to change government forms strengthens democracy, but safeguards must ensure transparency and community input.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Machestersupports
“I beleave it would lose the state money ,bikes are not a car they should not be registered at.…”
— Shirley Paradis, Derry · Mysmyself elfopposes

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 calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government4:52:25–4:55:393m 14slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government1:32:32–1:39:136m 41slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — 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 Municipal and County Government HJ 1 P. 18
  2. Jan 27, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/27/2026 11:55 am GP 154
  3. Feb 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/17/2026 09:00 am GP 154
  4. Feb 17, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/17/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 9 P. 23
  5. Mar 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 29

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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