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HB 463 · 2026 · House · Election Law Committee

Election recount board eligibility rules

AI-generated

relative to the composition of the board of recount in elections for the select board and for the school board.

Prohibits select board and school board candidates from serving on a board of recount in an election in which they appear on the ballot.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 6, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits candidates for the select board and the school board from sitting on a board of recount in an election where such candidate is on the ballot.

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 recount applicant, and their assistants shall have the right to observe the ballot inspections and participate in the recount under such suitable rules as the moderator may adopt.”
RSA 671:32-a
“At the time and place so appointed and notified, the clerk shall publicly break the seal of and open the package in which the ballots of said election are kept; and, thereupon, said ballots shall be recounted by the board of recount.”
RSA 669:32
“Each recount applicant, or his or her designee shall have the right to protest the counting of or failure to count any ballot.”
RSA 669:32-a
“The moderator shall thereupon rule on said ballot and shall attach thereto a memorandum stating such ruling and the name of the applicant making the protest.”
RSA 671:32-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Riché ColcombeRPrime
  • Rep. Robert WherryRChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference

Also: Rep. Jim FedolfiR, Rep. Mary MurphyR

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Sep 16, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendarCommittee report: Ought to Pass10–7
    Overall
    59% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026HouseDivisionOught to PassAdopted185–150
    Overall
    55% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026SenateCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026SenateVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Mar 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law2:20–9:487m 28slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 11, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law20:11–24:224m 11slocated in the stream transcriptExecutive Session
  • Sep 16, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law1:13:25–1:17:384m 13slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Executive Session
  • Jan 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floor7:03:23–7:11:288m 5slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, division 185-150
  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs48:50–52:413m 51slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Inexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 3 P. 11
  2. Mar 4, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 03/04/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308
  3. Mar 11, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/11/2025 09:00 am LOB 306-308
  4. Mar 17, 2025HouseRetained in Committee
  5. Sep 16, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 09/16/2025 10:15 am GP 158
  6. Sep 16, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 09/16/2025 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 51 P. 31
  7. Nov 18, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  8. Jan 7, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 185-150 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 162
  9. Jan 29, 2026SenIntroduced 01/29/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 3
  10. Feb 17, 2026SenHearing: 02/17/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:45 am; SC 6
  11. Mar 12, 2026Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate, 03/12/2026, Vote 4-0, CC; SC 9
  12. Mar 12, 2026SenInexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 03/12/2026; SJ 6

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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