SB 222 (2025): relative to moving the state primary date.

SB 222 (2025)

relative to moving the state primary date.

• Status: Died on the table
• 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 March 11, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-1119s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The bill was taken off the consent calendar on March 27, 2025. The committee's amendment (2025-1119s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 27, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 27, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it with changes 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 25 people signed in online: 18 in support, 6 in opposition and 1 as neutral. The committee held a public hearing on April 22, 2025 on a proposed non-germane amendment (2025-1621h). The committee met in executive session on May 27, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it, and the minority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-2406h), by a vote of 10–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee minority's amendment (2025-2406h) was rejected on a division vote 153–185 on June 5, 2025. On June 5, 2025 the House rejected a motion to pass it on a division vote 168–170. On June 5, 2025 the House adopted “Lay SB222 on Table” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Ross Berry. On June 5, 2025 the House failed “Remove from Table” on a roll call 151–168, on a motion by Rep. Robert Wherry. The bill died on the table when the session ended on December 17, 2025, having been set aside and never taken back up.

Sponsors

• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. Tim McGough (R - SD11)
• Sen. Denise Ricciardi (R - SD9)
• Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R - SD18)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)

Hearings and Sessions

• March 11, 2025, 9:45 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, LOB 103
• March 27, 2025: floor debate, Senate
• April 22, 2025, 11:00 AM: 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

Votes

• March 27, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1119s — voice vote, passed
• June 5, 2025, House: Adopt Amendment — yeas 153, nays 185, failed
• June 5, 2025, House: Ought to Pass — yeas 168, nays 170, failed
• June 5, 2025, House: Lay SB222 on Table — voice vote, passed
• June 5, 2025, House: Remove From Table — yeas 151, nays 168, failed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 653:8
• RSA 654:32
• RSA 654:34
• RSA 655:14
• RSA 655:21
• RSA 655:26
• RSA 665:5
• RSA 655:41
• RSA 655:43
• RSA 655:44
• RSA 654:27

Related Bills

• SB 380 (2024): relative to moving the state primary date.
• HB 643 (2020): relative to the date of the state primary election.
• HB 115 (2024): relative to changing the date of the state primary election.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 12
• SC 14
• HC 27, page 20