HB 1604-FN (2026): requiring suitable public facilities such as schools and town halls be made available as polling places upon request by local election officials.

HB 1604-FN (2026)

requiring suitable public facilities such as schools and town halls be made available as polling places upon request by local election officials.

• Status: Referred for interim study
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Election Law
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• 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 February 3, 2026, with 5 people signed in online: 4 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on February 10, 2026 and February 17, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 15–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0676h), and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0676h) 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 14, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, 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. James Guzofski (R - Rock 1) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Ross Berry (R - Hills 44)
• Rep. Claudine Burnham (R - Straf 2)
• Rep. Russell Muirhead (D - Graf 12)
• Rep. James Qualey (R - Ches 18)
• Rep. Alvin See (R - Merr 26)
• Rep. Robert Wherry (R - Hills 13)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 3, 2026, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Election Law, GP 158
• February 10, 2026, 11:00 AM: executive session, House Election Law, GP 158
• February 17, 2026, 1:40 PM: executive session, House Election Law, GP 158
• March 11, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 14, 2026, 9:15 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, SH 122-123
• May 7, 2026: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• March 11, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0676h — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Refer to Interim Study — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 658

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 27
• HC 10, page 44
• HJ 7, page 162
• SJ 7
• SC 14
• SC 17
• SJ 11