HB 1418 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee
Minimum vote for town spending
AI-generatedsetting a minimum affirmative vote for new or expanded spending for SB 2 towns.
Sets a minimum affirmative vote threshold for new or expanded spending in SB 2 towns.AI-generated
Status
Died on the table in the House · March 11, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill sets a minimum affirmative vote for new or expanded spending in SB 2 towns.
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
“In any town that has adopted the official ballot referendum form of meeting pursuant to RSA 40:13, no warrant article proposing the adoption of the town’s operating budget or of any other appropriation shall pass unless at least 15 percent of the registered voters of the town cast ballots on the question and a majority of those voting vote “Yes.””
“In any school district that has adopted the official ballot referendum form of meeting pursuant to RSA 40:13, no warrant article proposing the adoption of the school district’s operating budget or of any other appropriation shall pass unless at least 15 percent of the registered voters of the school district cast ballots on the question and a majority of those voting vote “Yes.””
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
Public testimony
79 signed in online · 10 wrote testimony
4% support96% oppose0% neutral
In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“This bill ensures that spending increases are supported by a wide swath of the voters.”
“NHSBA is opposed to this bill. Given the number of hearings and executive sessions scheduled at this time, we will be submitting further testimony after the hearing, as appropriate. Thank you.”
“HB 1418 bill is an *undemocratic attempt* to stifle providing resources for our schools. It is based on *arbitrary participation thresholds* at town and school district meetings.…”
“Stop undermining local elections! We are a state that prides itself on local control, where have those ideals gone?? Enough with the attempts to make local governments adhere to your ideals, leave our town elections alone!!”
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 HB1418 on Table (Rep. Berry)adopted
Hearings and debates
- Feb 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law1:56:16–2:03:417m 25slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
- Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law1:11:48–1:18:106m 22slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0971h — roll call; Executive Session
- Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor6:41:05–6:42:231m 18slocated in the stream transcriptLay HB1418 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. 19
- Feb 17, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/17/2026 11:40 am GP 158
- Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 158
- Mar 3, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0971h 03/03/2026 (Vote 9-8; RC) HC 10 P. 43
- Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
- Mar 11, 2026HouseLay HB1418 on Table (Rep. Berry): MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 161
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Background reading
Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.
- Warrant Article 101: The Basics of Warrant Article Origin, Content, Legality and AmendmentNH context — explainer
New Hampshire Municipal Association — The state municipal association explains how town meeting warrant articles are created, worded, and placed on the warrant.AI-generated
New Hampshire Municipal Association — A legal Q&A on town officials' duties to notify and inform voters ahead of annual town meeting.AI-generated
- Public Notice Resource CenterSupporters — print notice
Public Notice Resource Center — A nonprofit that argues published newspaper notices keep government transparency independent and verifiable.AI-generated
- Safety Isn't an Issue in Going PaperlessModernization
R Street Institute — A think-tank commentary making the case that moving official notices online can be reliable and lower-cost.AI-generated
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.