HB 1044 (2026): relative to the filling of vacancies in the office of a county commissioner.

HB 1044 (2026)

relative to the filling of vacancies in the office of a county commissioner.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Municipal and County Government
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: Elections
• Chapter law: 48

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Municipal and County Government committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 13, 2026, with 22 people signed in online: 6 in support and 16 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on January 13, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 18–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0069h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0069h) 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 10, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1205s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1205s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 26, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 26, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On April 9, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1205s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Diane Pauer. The bill was enrolled on April 23, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on May 8, 2026, making it Chapter 48 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Len Turcotte (R - Straf 4) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Aidan Ankarberg (I - Straf 7)
• Rep. Glenn Bailey (R - Straf 2)
• Rep. Claudine Burnham (R - Straf 2)
• Rep. Susan DeRoy (R - Straf 3)
• Rep. Samuel Farrington (R - Straf 8)
• Rep. Michael Granger (R - Straf 2)
• Sen. James Gray (R - SD6)
• Rep. Michael Harrington (R - Straf 18)
• Rep. Kelley Potenza (R - Straf 19)
• Rep. David Walker (R - Straf 19)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 13, 2026, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Municipal and County Government, GP 154
• January 13, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Municipal and County Government, GP 154
• February 5, 2026: consent calendar, House
• March 10, 2026, 10:00 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, SH 122-123
• March 26, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• April 9, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• February 5, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0069h — voice vote, passed
• March 26, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1205s — voice vote, passed
• April 9, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1205s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 661:9

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 3
• HC 5, page 10
• HJ 3, page 13
• SJ 4
• SC 9
• SC 11
• SJ 7
• HJ 10, page 8
• SJ 11
• HJ 11, page 82