HB 1396 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee
Unfilled house vacancy rule
AI-generatedrelative to vacancies in state offices.
Requires a vacancy in the state house of representatives to remain unfilled should one occur.AI-generated
Status
Died on the table in the House · March 11, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill requires leaving a vacancy in the state house of representatives unfilled should one occur.
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
“If a vacancy occurs in the office of executive councilor or state senator, it shall be filled as provided in part II, articles 34 and 62 of the state constitution.”
“If a vacancy occurs in the office of state representative or delegate to a state party convention, the vacancy shall not be filled.”
“Within 21 days after proof of a vacancy or a request that a vacancy be filled, the governor, in the case of an executive council vacancy, or the governor and council, in the case of any other vacancy, shall declare that there shall be a special election, which shall be held as provided in RSA 655:81 and 82 or as provided in RSA 661:8, III.”
“No special election shall be held after March 15 of the second year of the biennium, as determined by RSA 655:81, I.”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law
Public testimony
88 signed in online · 12 wrote testimony
2% support98% oppose0% neutral
In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“Streamlined procedures for filling vacancies improve government continuity; procedural rather than policy-critical.”
“This bill will be a burden to families with children or people with limited income. It would mean a family of four would have to pay $200.00 just to register most likely making it difficult to purchase bicycles on top of this fee.”
“This bill deprives voters of NH of representation in the legislature if the person representing them quits, dies, or moves away. The only reason I can see for suggesting this is partisan politics - Democrats have been winning special elections disproportionately!…”
“Please do not make it hard for people to vote. There is no problem here that needs to be solved. Students who are attending college in NH should be able to vote in NH, if they are residents on campus.…”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Votes
yeanay- Overall53% yea
- Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteLay HB1396 on Table (Rep. Berry)adopted
Hearings and debates
- Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law3:01:38–3:43:4242m 4slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
- Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law1:17:47–1:25:337m 46slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0984h — roll call; Executive Session
- Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor6:39:48–6:41:251m 37slocated in the stream transcriptLay HB1396 on Table (Rep. Berry) — 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. 18
- Jan 27, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/27/2026 01:00 pm GP 158
- Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 158
- Mar 3, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0984h 03/03/2026 (Vote 9-8; RC) HC 10 P. 43
- Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
- Mar 11, 2026HouseLay HB1396 on Table (Rep. Berry): MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 161
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.