HB 1234 (2026): identifying certain school district offices as incompatible for purposes of school district elections.

HB 1234 (2026)

identifying certain school district offices as incompatible for purposes of school district elections.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Election Law
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: Elections
• Chapter law: 295

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Election Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 17, 2026, with 20 people signed in online: 18 in support and 2 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 3, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 17–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0744h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0744h) 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 Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 28, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1732s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1732s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 7, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 14, 2026 the House adopted “House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1732s and Requests CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Ross Berry. On May 14, 2026 the Senate adopted “Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. James Gray. A committee of conference met on May 27, 2026 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. The Senate adopted the conference report (2026-2097c) on a voice vote. On June 4, 2026 the House adopted the conference report (2026-2097c) on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 10, 2026, making it Chapter 295 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Nancy Murphy (D - Hills 12) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10)
• Rep. Katelyn Kuttab (R - Rock 17)
• Rep. Maureen Mooney (R - Hills 12)
• Rep. Kathleen Paquette (R - Hills 25)
• Rep. Diane Pauer (R - Hills 36)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Rep. Peter Petrigno (D - Hills 43)
• Sen. Denise Ricciardi (R - SD9)
• Rep. Rosemarie Rung (D - Hills 12)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 17, 2026, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Election Law, GP 158
• March 3, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Election Law, GP 158
• March 11, 2026: consent calendar, House
• April 28, 2026, 9:15 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, SH 122-123
• May 7, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, House
• May 27, 2026, 10:00 AM: committee of conference, GP 228

Votes

• March 11, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0744h — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1732s — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1732s and Requests CofC — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed
• May 29, 2026, Senate: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
• June 4, 2026, House: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 671:18

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 11
• HC 10, page 14
• HJ 7, page 21
• SJ 7
• SC 16
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• HJ 13, page 150
• SJ 13
• HJ 14, page 35
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, pages 12 and 56
• SJ 15