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HB1187 • 2026

relative to the time in which candidates for state representative may file their candidacy for a special election.

relative to the time in which candidates for state representative may file their candidacy for a special election.

Elections
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Ross Berry (R), James Qualey (R)
Last action
2026-07-01
Official status
PASSED
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

relative to the time in which candidates for state representative may file their candidacy for a special election.

relative to the time in which candidates for state representative may file their candidacy for a special election.

What This Bill Does

  • relative to the time in which candidates for state representative may file their candidacy for a special election.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-07-01 H

    Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026

  2. 2026-06-30 S

    Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15

  3. 2026-06-04 H

    Conference Committee Report 2026-2096c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15

  4. 2026-05-29 S

    Conference Committee Report #2026-2096c , Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14

  5. 2026-05-28 S

    Conference Committee Report Filed, #2026-2096c ; 06/04/2026

  6. 2026-05-27 H

    Conference Committee Meeting: 05/27/2026 09:50 am GP 228

  7. 2026-05-27 H

    Conferee Change: Rep. Newsom Replaces Rep. Muirhead 05/27/2026 HJ 14

  8. 2026-05-20 S

    Sen. Gray Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13

  9. 2026-05-20 S

    President Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Perkins Kwoka; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13

  10. 2026-05-19 H

    House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1596s and Requests CofC (Rep. Berry): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13

  11. 2026-05-19 H

    Speaker Appoints: Reps. Berry, Qualey, Lane, Muirhead 05/14/2026 HJ 13

  12. 2026-05-05 S

    Committee Amendment #2026-1596s , AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

  13. 2026-05-05 S

    Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1596s , MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

  14. 2026-04-22 S

    Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1596s , 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17

  15. 2026-03-25 S

    Hearing: 03/31/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 01:15 pm; SC 12

  16. 2026-03-06 S

    Introduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 6

  17. 2026-03-05 H

    Ought to Pass : MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 14

  18. 2026-02-26 H

    Committee Report: Ought to Pass 02/03/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 9 P. 13

  19. 2026-02-17 H

    ==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 02/17/2026 01:40 pm GP 158

  20. 2026-02-11 H

    ==RECESSED== Executive Session: 02/10/2026 11:00 am GP 158

  21. 2026-01-29 H

    Public Hearing: 02/03/2026 01:20 pm GP 158

  22. 2025-12-01 H

    Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law HJ 1 P. 9

Official Summary Text

relative to the time in which candidates for state representative may file their candidacy for a special election.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HB 1187-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES

05/07/2026 1596s
4Jun2026... 2096CofC
2026 SESSION
26-2556
08/07

HOUSE BILL
1187-FN

AN ACT
relative to the time in which candidates for state representative may file their candidacy for a special election.

SPONSORS: Rep. Berry, Hills. 44; Rep. Qualey, Ches. 18

COMMITTEE: Election Law

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ANALYSIS

This bill allows candidates for state representative in a special election to file for 3 days with their town or city clerk.

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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.
05/07/2026 1596s
4Jun2026... 2096CofC 26-2556
08/07

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT
relative to the time in which candidates for state representative may file their candidacy for a special election.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Nomination of Candidates to the General Court; House of Representatives; Special Election. RSA 655:81, III is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
III. Under RSA 655:15, state representative candidates may file with the secretary of state, except that a state representative candidate may file with his or her appropriate town or city clerk under RSA 655:15, in which case the town or city clerk shall forward each declaration of candidate to the secretary of state on the same day on which the declaration is filed. During the week of filing, if the town or city clerk's office shall not be open for at least 3 days and for at least 2 hours on those days, the clerk shall post contact information for the clerk, deputy clerk, or another election official who the clerk has authorized to accept the declaration of candidacy. The clerk, deputy clerk, or other election official whose contact information is posted shall, in response to being contacted, arrange a time either on that day or within the next business day, during regular business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., to accept the declaration of candidacy. The dates and times town and city clerks' offices are open for filing during the filing period and any additional contact information shall be listed on the secretary of state's website; and

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

LBA
26-2556
5/8/26

HB 1187-FN-
FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT #2026-1596s)

AN ACT
relative to the time in which candidates for state representative may file their candidacy for a special election.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Legislative Budget Assistant has determined that this legislation has a total fiscal impact of less than $10,000 in each of the fiscal years 2026 through 2029.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of State and New Hampshire Municipal Association