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HB 1497 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Removing local land use board members

AI-generated

relative to replacing members of local land use boards for certain conduct.

Establishes procedures and standards for removing and replacing members of local land use boards for certain conduct.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill establishes procedures and standards for the removal and replacement of members from local land use boards.

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

“The governing body may, by resolution, remove an appointed, appointed alternate, or elected member of a local land use board from office for malfeasance, misfeasance, inefficiency, or neglect of duty directly related to the performance of official duties, or if dismissed from office pursuant to RSA 42:1, or convicted of a violation of RSA 95:1.”
RSA 673:13
“The city council, select board, county commissioners with approval of the county delegation, or district commissioners may, for any cause enumerated in paragraph I, remove members appointed by them by resolution.”
RSA 673:13
“"Malfeasance" means a willful or corrupt action, including misuse of resources or authority, or illegal acts in office or failure to act in the discharge of official duties, and requires an intentional act or omission relating to the duties of a public office.”
RSA 673:13
“It shall not include acts that, although in violation of criminal law, have no connection with official duties.”
RSA 673:13

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Deborah AylwardRPrime

Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR

Public testimony

3 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

0% support67% oppose33% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This seems overly prescriptive and litigious. Has existing statute failed? How?”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaneutral

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
  • Jan 20, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government5:49:16–5:53:524m 36slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 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. 23
  2. Jan 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/20/2026 10:50 am GP 154
  3. Jan 20, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/20/2026 10:50 am GP 154
  4. Jan 20, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/20/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 5 P. 13
  5. Feb 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 16

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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