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HB1393 • 2026

relative to the definition of public servant and the offense of official oppression.

relative to the definition of public servant and the offense of official oppression.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Patrick Long (D)
Last action
2026-03-05
Official status
HOUSE
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 definition of public servant and the offense of official oppression.

relative to the definition of public servant and the offense of official oppression.

What This Bill Does

  • relative to the definition of public servant and the offense of official oppression.

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. 2026-03-05 H

    Lay HB1393 on Table (Rep. Roy): MA DV 191-156 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 50

  2. 2026-02-02 H

    Majority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/23/2026 (Vote 7-4; RC) HC 9 P. 32

  3. 2026-02-02 H

    Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass

  4. 2026-01-27 H

    Executive Session: 01/23/2026 12:00 pm GP 159

  5. 2026-01-08 H

    Public Hearing: 01/15/2026 02:00 pm GP 159

  6. 2025-12-04 H

    Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 18

Official Summary Text

relative to the definition of public servant and the offense of official oppression.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HB 1393 - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION
26-3206
08/09

HOUSE BILL
1393

AN ACT
relative to the definition of public servant and the offense of official oppression.

SPONSORS: Rep. Long, Hills. 26

COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety

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ANALYSIS

This bill adds federal officials to the definition of public servant and makes it a class B felony for a public servant to interfere in an election.

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-3206
08/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT
relative to the definition of public servant and the offense of official oppression.

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

1 Public Servant; Definition; Federal Officials Included. Amend RSA 640:2, II(a) to read as follows:
(a) "Public servant" means any
federal official acting in or taking action directly affecting the state of New Hampshire, or
officer or employee of the state or any political subdivision thereof, including judges, legislators, consultants, jurors, and persons otherwise performing a governmental function. A person is considered a public servant upon his election, appointment or other designation as such, although he may not yet officially occupy that position. A person is a candidate for electoral office upon his public announcement of his candidacy.

2 Official Oppression; Election Interference. Amend RSA 643:1 to read as follows:
643:1 Official Oppression.
A public servant, as defined in RSA 640:2, II, is guilty of a misdemeanor if, with a purpose to benefit himself or another or to harm another, he knowingly commits an unauthorized act which purports to be an act of his office; or knowingly refrains from performing a duty imposed on him by law or clearly inherent in the nature of his office.
A public servant is guilty of a class B felony if he or she acts with intent to interfere with the administration of an election.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.