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HB 1639 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

County-run investigatory grand juries

AI-generated

establishing investigatory grand juries housed under the county sheriffs' offices.

Establishes a framework for petition-initiated special grand juries with investigative authority over public institutions, financial entities, and election and tax administration, requiring counties to support their operations.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · February 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a framework for petition-initiated special grand juries with broad investigative authority over public institutions, detention and care facilities, financial entities, election and tax administration, corporate and professional misconduct, and federal overreach, while requiring counties to support their operations.

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

“Upon the filing of a petition signed by not fewer than 500 qualified electors residing in a county, the superior court shall order the convening of a special grand jury to investigate the subject matter set forth in the petition.”
RSA 600-C:1
“Each term the regular county grand jury shall inquire into the condition, management, and operation of:”
RSA 600-C:2
“The grand jury shall investigate and report on the operations, accounts, and records of any county department, agency, or function, including any public entity that receives county or municipal taxpayer funds.”
RSA 600-C:3
“All grand juries in this state shall have the authority and responsibility to issue presentments, reports, and findings concerning any matter within its jurisdiction, including but not limited to misuse or mismanagement of public funds, inefficiencies or failures in public administration, and conditions requiring corrective legislation or policy reform.”
RSA 600-C:4

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Diane KelleyRPrime
  • Rep. Shane SiroisRClerk· Legislative Administration

Also: Rep. Glen AldrichR, Rep. Glenn BaileyR, Rep. Kelley PotenzaR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR, Rep. Paul TerryR, Rep. Len TurcotteR, Rep. Susan DeRoyR

Public testimony

8 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

88% support13% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I feel that our justice system is currently being tested and a citizen initiated independent investigation can bring justice and peace of mind to the people of New Hampshire”
— Lisa Ayer, Manchestersupports
“This is a great bill, but how can it be amended to have a check-and-balance against NH county sheriffs' offices who only follow what attorneys tell them and do not think for themselves regarding legal and lawful matters?”
— James Gardner, Keenesupports
“The Grand Jury already has the power to investigate government but the powers that ought not be have hidden this knowledge from them. This bill will give them the support they need to take on the corruption that has nearly destroyed this state.…”
— Jason Gerhard, Northfieldsupports
“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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 9, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Refer for Interim Study14–2
    Overall
    88% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseDivisionRefer for Interim StudyAdopted257–86
    Overall
    75% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary3:08:56–3:10:401m 44slocated in the stream transcript==RESCHEDULED== Public Hearing; Public Hearing
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:21:14–4:27:125m 58slocated in the stream transcriptRefer for Interim Study — adopted, division 257-86

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 Judiciary HJ 1 P. 29
  2. Jan 28, 2026House==RESCHEDULED== Public Hearing: 01/28/2026 01:30 pm GP 230
  3. Jan 28, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/28/2026 01:00 pm GP 230
  4. Feb 9, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/09/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  5. Feb 9, 2026HouseMajority : Refer for Interim Study 02/09/2026 (Vote 14-2; RC) HC 7 P. 36
  6. Feb 11, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0542h (NT)
  7. Feb 19, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA DV 257-86 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 89

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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