HB 1031
enabling candidates for state office to use campaign funds to pay for security measures.
Official record at gencourt.state.nh.us ↗Open this bill in the searchable view → · Follow this bill by RSS
On the record
Quoted from the General Court bill status page, not worked out from the docket.
| Status | SIGNED BY GOVERNOR |
|---|---|
| In the House | CONCURRED |
| In the Senate | PASSED/ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENT |
| Introduced | 1/7/2026 |
| Floor date | 5/7/2026 |
| LSR number | 2557 |
| Chapter | 0208 |
| Local government impact | no |
| Committee code | H36 |
Where it stands
House: CONCURRED · Senate: PASSED/ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENT
Every floor vote on this bill was a voice or division vote, so there is no record of how individual legislators voted.
A bill goes on the consent calendar when the committee vote was unanimous or nearly so, and any members who dissented did not object to placing it there. It then passes without floor debate. Ten members may file a petition to pull a bill off the consent calendar and have it debated and voted on separately.
Sponsors
Thomas, Wendy(D) Hills 12, Lane, Connie(D) Merr 16, Murray, Alissandra(D) Hills 20, Reardon, Tara(D) Merr 15, Telerski, Laura(D) Hills 11
Prime sponsor in bold. From the General Court sponsor file.
What happened
Every action recorded in the official docket, in order. Each line ends with the journal or calendar that recorded it; where we have the document, that citation links to it.
- January 7, 2026Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law
- January 20, 2026Public Hearing: 01/20/2026 01:40 pm GP 158
- January 27, 2026Executive Session: 01/27/2026 10:10 am GP 158
- January 28, 2026Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0293h 01/27/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC)
- February 5, 2026Amendment # 2026-0293h: AA VV 02/05/2026
- February 5, 2026Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0293h: MA VV 02/05/2026
- February 5, 2026Introduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs
- March 17, 2026Hearing: 03/17/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 10:00 am
- March 25, 2026Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1266s, 04/09/2026; Vote 4-0; CC
- April 9, 2026Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1266s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/09/2026
- April 9, 2026Committee Amendment # 2026-1266s, AA, VV; 04/09/2026
- May 7, 2026House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1266s (Rep. Berry): MA VV 05/07/2026
- May 21, 2026Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2127e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 05/21/2026)
- May 21, 2026Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2127e: AA VV (in recess of) 05/21/2026
- June 4, 2026Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026)
- June 4, 2026Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
- July 9, 2026Signed by Governor Ayotte 07/02/2026; Chapter 208; eff. 8/31/2026
Votes
Roll call tallies and individual votes from the General Court roll call files. Presiding, excused and absent are shown separately: one member presides over each House roll call and does not vote except to break a tie.
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0293h
Decided on a voice vote. Only the outcome was recorded — there is no count of how any member voted.
Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1266s
Decided on a voice vote. Only the outcome was recorded — there is no count of how any member voted.
House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1266s (Rep. Berry)
Decided on a voice vote. Only the outcome was recorded — there is no count of how any member voted.
Committee reports
Reproduced from the House Calendar in the committee’s own words.
Committee — OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT
As amended, this bill allows candidates for office to use campaign funds for personal security measures such as home video cameras, bodyguards, exterior lighting, and alarm systems. Rather than narrowly defining security expenses, the bill intentionally provides a non-exhaustive list to allow flexibility as security needs evolve and vary by circumstance. It was noted during the hearing that, while not specifically enumerated, this flexibility would include the purchase of firearms for personal security and protection. This approach ensures candidates can take reasonable and appropriate steps to protect themselves and their families in an environment of increasing threats, while avoiding overly rigid statutory limitations. The amendment removed the $3,000 expenditure cap which was noted during the hearing would be exhausted very quickly for statewide campaigns. Vote 16-0.
Hearings and recordings
Recordings are the General Court’s own, on YouTube. Start times are estimates unless stated otherwise, and the player opens early.
- January 20, 2026 at 13:40Election Law public hearing recording 4:41:27–4:47:26, about 6 min (estimated)
- January 27, 2026 at 10:10Election Law executive session recording 0:31:00–0:31:30, about 0 min (estimated)
- February 5, 2026House floor debate recording (start time not identified)
- March 17, 2026 at 10:00Election Law and Municipal Affairs hearing recording (start time not identified)
- April 9, 2026Senate floor debate recording (start time not identified)
- May 7, 2026House floor debate recording (start time not identified)
Page generated 2026-09-03 from data published by the New Hampshire General Court. Granite Record is an independent project, not affiliated with the General Court. The official record always takes precedence. Corrections: [email protected]