HB 1355 (2026): relative to eliminating the default budget from the official ballot referenda.

HB 1355 (2026)

relative to eliminating the default budget from the official ballot referenda.

• Status: Referred for interim study
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Municipal and County Government
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: Municipalities

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 23, 2026, with 144 people signed in online: 1 in support and 143 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on February 17, 2026 and March 3, 2026. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0695h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 10–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0695h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 12, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 12, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 176–160. 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 study it after the session ends, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On May 7, 2026 the Senate adopted “Refer to Interim Study” on a voice vote.

Sponsors

• Rep. Kristin Noble (R - Hills 2) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Keith Ammon (R - Hills 42)
• Rep. Cyril Aures (R - Merr 13)
• Rep. Ross Berry (R - Hills 44)
• Rep. Mike Drago (R - Rock 4)
• Rep. Brian Labrie (R - Hills 2)
• Rep. Erica Layon (R - Rock 13)
• Rep. Tom Mannion (R - Hills 1)
• Rep. Diane Pauer (R - Hills 36)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 23, 2026, 11:15 AM: public hearing, House Municipal and County Government, GP 154
• February 17, 2026, 9:00 AM: executive session, House Municipal and County Government, GP 154
• March 3, 2026, 10:30 AM: executive session, House Municipal and County Government, GP 154
• March 12, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 28, 2026, 10:15 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, SH 122-123
• May 7, 2026: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• March 12, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0695h — yeas 176, nays 160, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Refer to Interim Study — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 40:13
• RSA 32:7-a
• RSA 32:16
• RSA 32:5
• RSA 40:14-b

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 16
• HC 10, page 68
• HJ 8, page 42
• SJ 7
• SC 16
• SC 17
• SJ 11