Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 74 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Right-to-know citizen definition, draft disclosure

AI-generated

defining the term citizen for the purposes of the right to know law and including preliminary drafts circulated to a quorum of a majority of a public body as disclosable documents.

Defines the term 'citizen' for purposes of the right-to-know law to include the press and provides for disclosure of preliminary drafts circulated to a quorum or majority of a public body.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · January 7, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill defines the term citizen as a citizen of New Hampshire, includes the press in the definition of citizen, and provides for disclosure of preliminary drafts circulated to a quorum or majority of a public body.

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 general court finds that free speech and liberty of the press are essential to the security of freedom in a state and therefore organizations and individuals acting primarily in the role of the press shall be considered citizens under the provisions of this chapter.”
Section 1
““Citizen” means any person having a legal status in and relation to New Hampshire by virtue of domicile or any press acting on informing NH citizens, regardless of domicile.”
Section 2

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jess EdwardsRPrime
  • Rep. Bob LynnRChair· Judiciary

Public testimony

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Sep 10, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendarCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 22, 2025Public hearingHouse Judiciary1:53:35–1:57:293m 54slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 30, 2025Public hearingHouse Judiciary47:50–48:1323slocated in the stream transcriptExecutive Session
  • Sep 10, 2025Public hearingHouse Judiciary11:28–16:094m 41slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Jan 7, 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 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Judiciary HJ 2 P. 4
  2. Jan 22, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2025 10:30 am LOB 206-208
  3. Jan 30, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/30/2025 10:00 am LOB 206-208
  4. Mar 14, 2025HouseRetained in Committee
  5. Sep 10, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 09/10/2025 10:00 am GP 230
  6. Sep 10, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 09/10/2025 10:00 am GP 230
  7. Sep 10, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 09/10/2025 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 51 P. 13
  8. Jan 7, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 74

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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