HB 228-LOCAL (2025): relative to petitioned articles at annual or special town meetings.

HB 228-LOCAL (2025)

relative to petitioned articles at annual or special town meetings.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Municipal and County Government
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: Municipalities
• Chapter law: 173

The Story

It was introduced on January 8, 2025 and referred to the House Municipal and County Government committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 27, 2025, with 21 people signed in online: 18 in support and 3 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 10, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 18–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 26, 2025 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 27, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on May 13, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-2165s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-2165s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 22, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On May 22, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On June 12, 2025 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2165s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Diane Pauer. The bill was enrolled on June 26, 2025 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 15, 2025, making it Chapter 173 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Diane Pauer (R - Hills 36) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Wayne MacDonald (R - Rock 16)
• Rep. James Creighton (R - Hills 30)
• Rep. Anita Burroughs (D - Carr 2)
• Rep. John Sellers (R - Graf 10)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Rep. Riché Colcombe (R - Hills 30)
• Rep. Daniel Veilleux (D - Hills 34)
• Sen. Tim McGough (R - SD11)
• Rep. Juliet Harvey-Bolia (R - Belk 3)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 27, 2025, 2:30 PM: public hearing, House Municipal and County Government, LOB 301-303
• March 10, 2025, 9:30 AM: executive session, House Municipal and County Government, LOB 301-303
• March 26, 2025: consent calendar, House
• May 13, 2025, 9:15 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, LOB 103
• May 22, 2025: floor debate, Senate
• June 12, 2025: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 26, 2025, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 22, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-2165s — voice vote, passed
• June 12, 2025, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2165s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 39:3
• RSA 197:2
• RSA 197:6
• RSA 40:7

Related Bills

• HB 1142 (2010): relative to signatures required to petition a warrant article.
• HB 271 (2005): relative to petitions submitted to town meetings.
• HB 1309 (2020): relative to the effect of warrant articles.
• HB 1255 (2004): relative to the procedure for calling for a special town or school district meeting.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 17, page 23
• SC 21
• SC 22