HB 1031 (2026): enabling candidates for state office to use campaign funds to pay for security measures.

HB 1031 (2026)

enabling candidates for state office to use campaign funds to pay for security measures.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Election Law
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: Elections
• Chapter law: 208

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Election Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 20, 2026, with 68 people signed in online: 66 in support and 2 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on January 27, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 16–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0293h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0293h) was adopted on a voice vote on February 5, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On February 5, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on February 5, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 17, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1266s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1266s) was adopted on a voice vote on April 9, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On April 9, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 7, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1266s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Ross Berry. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2026-2127e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 208 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Wendy Thomas (D - Hills 12) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Connie Lane (D - Merr 16)
• Rep. Alissandra Murray (D - Hills 20)
• Rep. Thomas Oppel (D - Graf 9)
• Sen. Tara Reardon (D - SD15)
• Rep. Laura Telerski (D - Hills 11)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 20, 2026, 1:40 PM: public hearing, House Election Law, GP 158
• January 27, 2026, 10:10 AM: executive session, House Election Law, GP 158
• February 5, 2026: consent calendar, House
• March 17, 2026, 10:00 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, SH 122-123
• April 9, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• February 5, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0293h — voice vote, passed
• April 9, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1266s — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1266s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 664

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 3
• HC 5, page 5
• HJ 3, page 9
• SJ 4
• SC 10
• SC 13
• SJ 8
• HJ 12, page 4
• SJ 14
• HJ 14, page 38
• HJ 15, page 45