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HB 1695 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

No ballot explanations for amendments

AI-generated

(New Title) preventing any guide or explanation regarding the effect of a proposed constitutional amendment from appearing on the ballot.

Prevents any guide or explanation regarding the effect of a proposed constitutional amendment from appearing on the ballot.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill prevents any guide or explanation regarding the effect of a proposed constitutional amendment from appearing on the ballot.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the House. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“The following words shall be printed above the constitutional amendment questions on all ballots containing such questions:”
RSA 663:3
“If the general court or constitutional convention proposes a constitutional amendment, no explanation or voter's guide to the text of the amendment shall be included on any ballot in which a vote on the adoption of the constitutional amendment takes place.”
RSA 663:3-a
“A constitutional question shall include, in the text of the question, the text of the article of the constitution as it is proposed to be amended, and the results of the vote taken on ordering the proposed amendment to third reading in both the senate and the house of representatives or at the constitutional convention, whichever is appropriate.”
RSA 663:3
“In instances where the general court or constitutional convention proposes a constitutional amendment in which the constitution would be amended, the proposed amendment shall be displayed on the ballot by way of bracketing and striking text that would be removed and bolding and italicizing text that would be added.”
RSA 663:3

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Connie LaneDPrimeRanking Member· Election Law
  • Rep. Russell MuirheadDDeputy Ranking Member· Election Law
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader

Also: Rep. Luz BayD, Rep. Gerald WardD, Sen. Tara ReardonD

Public testimony

159 signed in online · 31 wrote testimony

96% support4% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“It would be very useful to have a voter's guide to any proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot. I have lived & voted in several other New England states and such guides were helpful in my decision making.”
— Albert Saul, Holdernesssupports
“This bill is an important service for NH voters - making it easier for NH citizens to make informed votes. Please Support!”
— Abby evankow, Gorhamsupports
“I support this bill which would require a complete explanation (a voter's guide) on the ballot of the ramifications of any proposed NH constitutional amendment.…”
— Patricia Goodlin, New Londonsupports
“This bill does not protect against a trivial and meaningless information in guide being of no enlightenment to voter.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

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
  • Mar 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0476h16–1
    Overall
    94% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0476hadopted
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0476hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law5:05:41–5:06:3453slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Election Law2:59:08–3:00:171m 9slocated in the stream transcript==RECESSED== Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0476h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0476h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 21, 2026Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs2:18–3:431m 25slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — 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 Election Law HJ 1 P. 31
  2. Jan 27, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/27/2026 02:40 pm GP 158
  3. Feb 3, 2026House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 02/03/2026 10:10 am GP 158
  4. Mar 3, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0476h 03/03/2026 (Vote 16-1; CC) HC 10 P. 15
  5. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0476h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 24
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0476h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 24
  7. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7
  8. Apr 21, 2026SenHearing: 04/21/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:15 am; SC 15
  9. May 7, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  10. May 7, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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