HB 1097 (2026): requiring legislative approval of the amendment or permanent removal of historical markers.

HB 1097 (2026)

requiring legislative approval of the amendment or permanent removal of historical markers.

• Status: Vetoed, override failed
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Legislative Administration
• Senate committee: Executive Departments and Administration
• Subject: Memorials

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Legislative Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 22, 2026, with 7 people signed in online: 5 in support, 1 in opposition and 1 as neutral. The committee met in executive session on January 29, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee held a work session on February 25, 2026. The committee met in executive session on February 25, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 10–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0503h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0503h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 11, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 11, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Executive Departments and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 25, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On May 7, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor vetoed it on June 19, 2026. The legislature can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. On August 19, 2026 the House voted 193–125 on overriding the governor's veto on a roll call, and the veto was sustained, failing to meet the two thirds threshold.

Sponsors

• Rep. Gregory Hill (R - Merr 2) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 22, 2026, 1:45 PM: public hearing, House Legislative Administration, GP 234
• January 29, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Legislative Administration, GP 234
• February 25, 2026, 9:00 AM: full committee work session, House Legislative Administration, GP 234
• February 25, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Legislative Administration, GP 234
• March 11, 2026: consent calendar, House
• March 25, 2026, 9:40 AM: hearing, Senate Executive Departments and Administration, SH 103
• May 7, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• August 19, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 11, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0503h — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• August 19, 2026, House: Veto Override — yeas 193, nays 125, failed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 236:41

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 6
• HC 10, page 27
• HJ 7, page 55
• SJ 7
• SC 11
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 43
• HJ 16, page 19