HB 1396 (2026): relative to vacancies in state offices.
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- “HB 1396 (2026): relative to vacancies in state offices.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/hb1396. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
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- Granite Record. (n.d.). HB 1396 (2026): relative to vacancies in state offices. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/hb1396
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@misc{bill-2026-hb1396, title = {HB 1396 (2026): relative to vacancies in state offices.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/hb1396}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }
HB 1396 (2026)
relative to vacancies in state offices.
- Status: Died on the table
- Term: 2025-2026
- House committee: Election Law
- Subject: Elections
The Story
It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Election Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 27, 2026, with 88 people signed in online: 2 in support and 86 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 3, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0984h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 9–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On March 11, 2026 the House adopted “Lay HB1396 on Table” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Ross Berry. The bill died on the table when the session ended on August 19, 2026, having been set aside and never taken back up.
Sponsors
- Rep. Joe Sweeney (R - Rock 25) (prime sponsor)
- Rep. Ross Berry (R - Hills 44)
Hearings and Sessions
- January 27, 2026, 1:00 PM: public hearing, House Election Law, GP 158
- March 3, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Election Law, GP 158
- March 11, 2026: floor debate, House
Votes
- March 11, 2026, House: Lay HB1396 on Table — voice vote, passed
The Docket
- January 7, 2026: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law
- January 27, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/27/2026 01:00 pm GP 158
- March 3, 2026: Executive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 158
- March 3, 2026: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0984h 03/03/2026 (Vote 9-8; RC)
- March 4, 2026: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
- March 11, 2026: Lay HB1396 on Table (Rep. Berry): MA VV 03/11/2026
- August 19, 2026: Died on Table, Session ended 08/19/2026