HB 1266 (2026): allowing election moderators access to the area designated for counting votes during the performance of their duties.

HB 1266 (2026)

allowing election moderators access to the area designated for counting votes during the performance of their duties.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Election Law
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: Elections
• Chapter law: 161

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 3, 2026, with 5 people signed in online: 4 in support and 1 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, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 11, 2026 the House voted to pass it 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 1, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1324s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1324s) was adopted on a voice vote on April 16, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On April 16, 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 2026-1324s” 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. The governor signed it on June 19, 2026, making it Chapter 161 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Robert Harb (R - Rock 20) (prime sponsor)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 3, 2026, 2:00 PM: 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 1, 2026, 1:00 PM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, SH 103
• April 16, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 11, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• April 16, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1324s — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1324s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 659:58

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 13
• HC 10, page 14
• HJ 7, page 22
• SJ 7
• SC 12
• SC 14
• SJ 9
• HJ 12, page 4
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 43