SB 213-FN (2025): relative to electioneering by public employees and relative to absentee voting.

SB 213-FN (2025)

relative to electioneering by public employees and relative to absentee voting.

• Status: Vetoed, override failed
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Election Law
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: Elections

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 4, 2025. The committee voted 3–2 to recommend that the Senate pass it. On March 13, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 27, 2025 and was referred to the House Election Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 22, 2025, with 387 people signed in online: 5 in support and 382 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on May 27, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-2461h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 10–7. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-2461h) was adopted on a division vote 181–141 on June 5, 2025, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2025-2688h), offered by Rep. Ross Berry, was adopted on a voice vote on June 5, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On June 5, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 189–148. On June 5, 2025 the Senate voted to reject the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. James Gray. On June 5, 2025 the House adopted “House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Jim Kofalt. On June 26, 2025 the House adopted the conference report (2025-2827c) on a division vote 197–170. On June 26, 2025 the Senate adopted the conference report (2025-2827c) 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 (2025-2925e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor vetoed it on August 1, 2025. The legislature can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. On October 23, 2025 the Senate voted 0–24 on overriding the governor's veto on a roll call, and the veto was sustained, failing to meet the two thirds threshold.

Sponsors

• Sen. James Gray (R - SD6) (prime sponsor)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 4, 2025, 10:00 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, LOB 103
• March 13, 2025: floor debate, Senate
• April 22, 2025, 2:00 PM: public hearing, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• May 27, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• June 5, 2025: floor debate, House
• June 16, 2025, 9:11 AM: committee of conference, SH 103
• June 18, 2025, 9:01 AM: committee of conference, SH 103
• October 23, 2025: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• March 13, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• June 5, 2025, House: Adopt Committee Amendment — yeas 181, nays 141, passed
• June 5, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-2461h and 2025-2688h — yeas 189, nays 148, passed
• June 5, 2025, Senate: Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C — voice vote, passed
• June 5, 2025, House: House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC — voice vote, passed
• June 26, 2025, House: Adopt Conference Committee Report — yeas 197, nays 170, passed
• June 26, 2025, Senate: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
• October 23, 2025, Senate: Veto Override — yeas 0, nays 24, failed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 657:4
• RSA 654:17
• RSA 659:44-a

Related Bills

• HB 340-FN (2026): relative to electioneering by public employees.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 8
• SC 12
• HC 27, page 18