HB 243 (2024): requiring the tabulation of votes in elections to be done in public.

HB 243 (2024)

requiring the tabulation of votes in elections to be done in public.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2023-2024
• House committee: Election Law
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: Elections
• Chapter law: 178

The Story

It was introduced on January 5, 2023 and referred to the House Election Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 21, 2023. The committee met in executive session on February 28, 2023 and March 15, 2023. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee met in executive session on October 31, 2023 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted 19–1 to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2023-2394h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2023-2394h) was adopted on a voice vote on January 3, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On January 3, 2024 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on February 15, 2024 and was referred to the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 12, 2024. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2024-1522s). The committee's amendment (2024-1522s) was adopted on a voice vote on April 18, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On April 18, 2024 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 30, 2024 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2024-1522s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Steven Smith. The bill was enrolled on June 13, 2024 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 12, 2024, making it Chapter 178 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Katelyn Kuttab (R - Rock 17) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Kristine Perez (R - Rock 16)
• Rep. Joe Sweeney (R - Rock 25)
• Rep. Daniel Popovici-Muller (R - Rock 17)
• Rep. Ellen Read (D - Rock 10)
• Rep. Bob Lynn (R - Rock 17)
• Rep. Katherine Prudhomme-O'Brien (R - Rock 13)
• Rep. Julius Soti (R - Rock 35)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 21, 2023, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• February 28, 2023, 2:30 PM: executive session, House Election Law, LOB 206-208
• March 15, 2023, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Election Law, LOB 206-208
• October 31, 2023, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• March 12, 2024, 9:50 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, LOB 103

Votes

• January 3, 2024, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2023-2394h — voice vote, passed
• April 18, 2024, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-1522s — voice vote, passed
• May 30, 2024, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2024-1522s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 659:63

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 42
• HC 49, page 10
• SC 10
• SC 15A