HB74 • 2026

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.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Jess Edwards (R), Bob Lynn (R)
Last action: 2026-01-07
Official status: HOUSE
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary does not provide specific details on enforcement mechanisms or penalties, leaving these aspects uncertain.

Defining Citizen and Requiring Disclosure of Drafts

This bill changes the definition of 'citizen' to include press organizations that inform New Hampshire citizens, and it requires public bodies to disclose preliminary drafts circulated to a quorum or majority.

What This Bill Does

Defines 'citizen' as someone legally residing in New Hampshire or acting primarily as the press informing NH residents.
Requires public bodies to make available preliminary drafts circulated to a quorum or majority, along with other meeting materials.

Who It Names or Affects

Citizens and press organizations in New Hampshire
Public bodies that hold meetings

Terms To Know

citizen: A person legally residing in New Hampshire or a press organization acting to inform NH residents.
quorum: The minimum number of members required for a public body to conduct official business.

Limits and Unknowns

This bill was marked as 'Inexpedient to Legislate' and did not become law.
It is unclear how this bill would be enforced or what penalties might apply if it were enacted.

Bill History

2026-01-07 H
Inexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 74
2025-11-04 H
Executive Session: 09/10/2025 10:00 am GP 230
2025-10-02 H
Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 09/10/2025 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 51 P. 13
2025-08-25 H
Full Committee Work Session: 09/10/2025 10:00 am GP 230
2025-03-14 H
Retained in Committee
2025-01-22 H
Executive Session: 01/30/2025 10:00 am LOB 206-208
2025-01-15 H
Public Hearing: 01/22/2025 10:30 am LOB 206-208
2024-12-23 H
Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Judiciary HJ 2 P. 4

Official Summary Text

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.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB 74 - AS INTRODUCED

2025 SESSION
25-0082
11/06

HOUSE BILL
74

AN ACT
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.

SPONSORS: Rep. Edwards, Rock. 31; Rep. Lynn, Rock. 17

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

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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.

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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.
25-0082
11/06

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five

AN ACT
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.

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

1 Findings and Purpose. 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.

2 New Paragraph; Definition Of Citizen. Amend RSA 91-A:1-a by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph:
I-a. “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.

3 Preliminary Draft Disclosure. Amend RSA 91-A:4, II to read as follows:
II. After the completion of a meeting of a public body, every citizen, during the regular or business hours of such public body, and on the regular business premises of such public body, has the right to inspect all notes,
preliminary drafts circulated to a quorum or a majority of the public body,
materials, tapes, or other sources used for compiling the minutes of such meetings, and to make memoranda or abstracts or to copy such notes, materials, tapes, or sources inspected, except as otherwise prohibited by statute or RSA 91-A:5.

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