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Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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CACR23 • 2026

relative to legislative oversight of the judicial branch. establishing legislative oversight of the judicial branch.

relative to legislative oversight of the judicial branch. establishing legislative oversight of the judicial branch.

Elections
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Susan DeRoy (R), Diane Kelley (R), Shane Sirois (R), Rich Nalevanko (R), Kelley Potenza (R), JD Bernardy (R), Glenn Bailey (R), Matt Sabourin dit Choinière (R), John Sellers (R), Claudine Burnham (R)
Last action
2026-03-04
Official status
HOUSE
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about how the oversight powers will be implemented or what procedures will govern them, leaving room for interpretation.

Legislative Oversight of the Judicial Branch

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that allows the state legislature to oversee and recommend discipline for members of the judicial branch.

What This Bill Does

  • Adds a new article to the New Hampshire Constitution, allowing the general court (state legislature) to establish a commission for overseeing the judicial branch.
  • Gives this commission the authority to investigate complaints against judges, conduct hearings, gather evidence, and recommend disciplinary actions like censure, suspension, or removal of judges.
  • Requires the commission to publish annual reports on judge performance and conduct.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Members of the judicial branch who could face investigations or disciplinary actions from the new oversight commission.
  • The general court (state legislature) which will have the power to establish and oversee the new commission.
  • Voters in New Hampshire who will decide whether to approve this constitutional amendment.

Terms To Know

Constitutional Amendment
A change or addition to a country's constitution that requires special procedures for approval, such as voter referendum.
General Court
The state legislature of New Hampshire.

Limits and Unknowns

  • It is unclear how the new oversight powers will be implemented or what specific procedures will govern them.
  • Voters must approve this amendment in November 2026 for it to become law.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-04 H

    Majority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/13/2026 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 10 P. 97

  2. 2026-03-04 H

    Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass

  3. 2026-02-05 H

    Executive Session: 02/13/2026 10:00 am GP 158

  4. 2026-01-29 H

    Public Hearing: 02/04/2026 10:00 am GP 230

  5. 2025-12-01 H

    Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Judiciary HJ 1 P. 41

Official Summary Text

relative to legislative oversight of the judicial branch.
establishing legislative oversight of the judicial branch.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
CACR 23 - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION
26-2475
09/08

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
23

RELATING TO:
legislative oversight of the judicial branch.

PROVIDING THAT:
there should be legislative oversight of the judicial branch.

SPONSORS: Rep. DeRoy, Straf. 3; Rep. Nalevanko, Ches. 9; Rep. Bailey, Straf. 2; Rep. Burnham, Straf. 2; Rep. D. Kelley, Hills. 32; Rep. Potenza, Straf. 19; Rep. Sabourin dit Choiniere, Rock. 30; Rep. Sirois, Hills. 32; Rep. Bernardy, Rock. 36; Rep. Sellers, Graf. 10

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

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ANALYSIS

This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution gives the general court the power to oversee and recommend discipline for members of the judicial branch.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in
bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [
in brackets and struckthrough.
]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type

26-2475
09/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

RELATING TO:
legislative oversight of the judicial branch.

PROVIDING THAT:
there should be legislative oversight of the judicial branch.

Be it Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring, that the
Constitution of New Hampshire be amended as follows:

I. That the second part of the constitution be amended by inserting after article 4 the following new article:
[Art.] 4-a. [Oversight of the Judicial Branch.] The general court shall have the power to establish a commission to be principally comprised of members of the general court. The commission shall have the power to investigate complaints against members of the judicial branch, to conduct hearings and gather evidence, to recommend disciplinary actions including censure, suspension, or removal of judges, and to publish annual reports on the conduct and performance of judges. The general court shall have the power to establish the membership of the commission and to establish the procedures for the filing and investigation of complaints.
II. That the above amendment proposed to the constitution be submitted to the qualified voters of the state at the state general election to be held in November, 2026.
III. That the selectmen of all towns, cities, wards and places in the state are directed to insert in their warrants for the said 2026 election an article to the following effect: To decide whether the amendments of the constitution proposed by the 2026 session of the general court shall be approved.
IV. That the wording of the question put to the qualified voters shall be:
“Are you in favor of amending the second part of the constitution by inserting after article 4 the following new article:
[Art.] 4-a. [Oversight of the Judicial Branch.] The general court shall have the power to establish a commission to be principally comprised of members of the general court. The commission shall have the power to investigate complaints against members of the judicial branch, to conduct hearings and gather evidence, to recommend disciplinary actions including censure, suspension, or removal of judges, and to publish annual reports on the conduct and performance of judges. The general court shall have the power to establish the membership of the commission and to establish the procedures for the filing and investigation of complaints.
V. That the secretary of state shall print the question to be submitted on a separate ballot with other constitutional questions or on the official ballot. The ballot containing the question shall include 2 ovals next to the question allowing the voter to vote “Yes” or “No.” If no oval is marked, the ballot shall not be counted on the question. The outside of the ballot shall be the same as the regular official ballot except that the words “Questions Relating to Constitutional Amendments proposed by the 2026 General Court” shall be printed in bold type at the top of the ballot.
VI. That if the proposed amendment is approved by 2/3 of those voting on the amendment, it becomes effective when the governor proclaims its adoption.
VII. Voters' Guide.
AT THE PRESENT TIME, judicial oversight is conducted by the judiciary, subject to the power of the general court to impeach.
IF THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED, the general court would be empowered to conduct oversight of the judicial branch.