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SB 534-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES
02/19/2026 0645s
23Apr2026... 1406h
06/04/2026 2030CofC
2026 SESSION
26-2116
07/08
SENATE BILL
534-FN
AN ACT
relative to compliance with certain political expenditures and contribution statutes.
SPONSORS: Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Rep. Sirois, Hills. 32; Rep. Kofalt, Hills. 32; Rep. D. Kelley, Hills. 32; Rep. Pauer, Hills. 36
COMMITTEE: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill:
I. Prevents certain foreign nationals from making political contributions during state election cycles.
II. Requires that political committee that file reports with the secretary of state include an affirmation of compliance with RSA 664:4, VI and RSA 664:5, III.
III. Requires a political committee that willfully violates RSA 664:4, VI or RSA 664:5, III to pay to the secretary of state the amount of the relevant contribution or expenditure, plus interest.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
02/19/2026 0645s
23Apr2026... 1406h
06/04/2026 2030CofC 26-2116
07/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT
relative to compliance with certain political expenditures and contribution statutes.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Political Expenditures and Contributions; General Provisions; Applicability of Chapter. Amend RSA 664:1 to read as follows:
664:1 Applicability of Chapter. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all state primary, general, and special elections, but shall only apply to presidential preference primaries as provided in this section.
The provisions of RSA 664:2, 664:4, VII, 664:5, III, and 664:14-22 shall apply to city, town, school district, and village district elections or meetings.
The provisions relating to political advertising, push polling, and enforcement, RSA 664:14 through RSA [
664:22
]
664:21
, shall additionally apply to presidential primary[
, city, town, school district, and village district
] elections.
2 Political Expenditures and Contributions; General Provisions; Definitions. Amend RSA 664:2, X to read as follows:
X. "Measure" shall mean any constitutional amendment or question that is submitted or intended to be submitted to a popular vote [
at an election
].
3 New Paragraph; Political Expenditures and Contributions; Contributions; Prohibited Political Contributions. Amend RSA 664:4 by inserting after paragraph VI the following new paragraph:
VII. By any foreign national, as defined in 52 U.S.C. Section 30121(b) and 11 C.F.R. Section 110.20 (a)(3).
4 Political Expenditures and Contributions; Expenditures; Prohibited Political Expenditures. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 664:5 to read as follows:
664:5 Prohibited Political Expenditures. No expenditure or use of a contribution,
whether
tangible or intangible, shall be made for the purpose of promoting the success or defeat of any political party, measure, or candidate:
5 New Paragraph; Political Expenditures and Contributions; Enforcement; Penalty. Amend RSA 664:21 by inserting after paragraph IX the following new paragraph:
X. If a political committee, or any foreign national, as defined in 52 U.S.C. Section 30121(b) and 11 C.F.R. Section 110.20(a)(3), willfully violates RSA 664:4, VI or RSA 664:5, III, then the political committee or foreign national shall pay to the secretary of state the amount of such contribution or expenditure, plus interest accrued from the date of the contribution or expenditure, as applicable, at the current prime rate of interest as published in the Wall Street Journal on the date of payment. If funds of the political committee or foreign national are insufficient, the political committee or foreign national shall pay all of its available funds to the secretary of state, and the directors, officers, or members responsible for the financial decisions of the political committee or foreign national shall be jointly and severally liable for the amount due, in addition to any other penalties that may apply from this statute.
6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
LBA
26-2116
04/29/2026
SB 534-FN-
FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2026-1406h)
AN ACT
relative to compliance with certain political expenditures and contribution statutes.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Office of Legislative Budget Assistant states this bill has no fiscal impact on state, county
and local expenditures or revenue.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of State