HB 464 (2025): prohibiting certain candidates for political office from participating in counting ballots.

HB 464 (2025)

prohibiting certain candidates for political office from participating in counting ballots.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Election Law
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: Elections
• Chapter law: 277

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the House Election Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 4, 2025, with 38 people signed in online: 25 in support and 13 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on February 11, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 18–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0196h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-0196h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 6, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 6, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 6, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 15, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-2184s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The bill was taken off the consent calendar on May 22, 2025. The committee's amendment (2025-2184s) 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 5, 2025 the Senate adopted “Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. James Gray. On June 5, 2025 the House adopted “House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2184s and Requests CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Jim Kofalt. A committee of conference met on June 16, 2025 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. On June 26, 2025 the Senate adopted the conference report (2025-2851c) on a voice vote. On June 26, 2025 the House adopted the conference report (2025-2851c) on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on June 26, 2025 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2025-2918e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on August 1, 2025, making it Chapter 277 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Erica de Vries (D - Rock 29) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Heath Howard (D - Straf 4)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 4, 2025, 11:40 AM: public hearing, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• February 11, 2025, 10:10 AM: executive session, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• March 6, 2025: consent calendar, House
• April 15, 2025, 9:45 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, LOB 103
• May 6, 2025, 9:15 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, LOB 103
• May 22, 2025: floor debate, Senate
• June 5, 2025: floor debate, Senate
• June 16, 2025, 10:40 AM: committee of conference, LOB 306-308

Votes

• March 6, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0196h — voice vote, passed
• May 22, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-2184s — voice vote, passed
• June 5, 2025, Senate: Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed
• June 5, 2025, House: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2184s and Requests CofC — voice vote, passed
• June 26, 2025, Senate: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
• June 26, 2025, House: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 658:31
• RSA 654:45
• RSA 654:12
• RSA 664:6
• RSA 500-A:2
• RSA 263:40-a
• RSA 5-C:9
• RSA 664:3

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 14, page 7
• SC 17
• SC 20
• SC 22