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HB 1547 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Circuit court appeal election rules

AI-generated

relative to appeals from convictions in circuit court for certain offenses.

Requires defendants charged with certain offenses to elect between proceeding in circuit court with a jury trial waiver or immediately appealing to superior court for a jury trial.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · February 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires a defendant charged with certain offenses to elect whether to proceed in circuit court and waive his or her right to a jury trial or to immediately appeal to superior court for a jury trial.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Erik JohnsonDPrime
  • Rep. Claudine BurnhamRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Rep. Katelyn KuttabRClerk· Judiciary
  • Rep. Marie Louise BjelobrkRClerk· Municipal and County Government
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education

Also: Rep. Kelley PotenzaR, Rep. Alicia GreggD, Rep. Loren SeligD, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR, Rep. Zoe ManosD

Public testimony

7 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

29% support71% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I oppose this bill because it reduces transparency or public accountability and does not meaningfully improve outcomes for New Hampshire residents.”
— Tiffany Gladu, Goffstownopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-289:00 amHouse JudiciaryGP 230Public hearingrescheduled

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Judiciary HJ 1 P. 25
  2. Jan 28, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/28/2026 11:30 am GP 230
  3. Jan 28, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/28/2026 11:30 am GP 230
  4. Jan 28, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study 01/28/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 6 P. 7
  5. Feb 12, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 8

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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