HB 1331 (2026): enabling the Derry town council to incorporate the Derry Cooperative School District as a department of the town through a charter amendment.

HB 1331 (2026)

enabling the Derry town council to incorporate the Derry Cooperative School District as a department of the town through a charter amendment.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Education Policy and Administration
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: Municipalities
• Chapter law: 165

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Education Policy and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 9, 2026, with 152 people signed in online: 3 in support and 149 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on February 18, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0581h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 9–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0581h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 5, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 5, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 193–157. It crossed to the Senate on March 5, 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, 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 signed it on June 19, 2026, making it Chapter 165 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Erica Layon (R - Rock 13) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. David Love (R - Rock 13)
• Rep. John Potucek (R - Rock 13)
• Rep. Richard Tripp (R - Rock 13)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 9, 2026, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Education Policy and Administration, GP 232
• February 18, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Education Policy and Administration, GP 232
• March 5, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 28, 2026, 10:00 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, SH 122-123
• May 7, 2026: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• March 5, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 193, nays 157, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 49-B

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 15
• HC 9, page 37
• HJ 6, page 74
• SJ 6
• SC 16
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 43