HB 164-FN (2026): relative to local records retention.

HB 164-FN (2026)

relative to local records retention.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Judiciary
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: Municipalities
• Chapter law: 206

The Story

It was introduced on January 8, 2025 and referred to the House Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 22, 2025, with 4 people signed in online: 4 in support. The committee voted unanimously, 13–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee met in executive session on January 30, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. On February 6, 2025 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. On February 6, 2025 the bill was referred to the Finance committee. The committee held a work session on March 5, 2025. The committee met in executive session on March 17, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee held work sessions on September 18, 2025 and October 2, 2025. The committee met in executive session on October 30, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 25–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-2979h), and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-2979h) was adopted on a voice vote on January 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On January 7, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on January 29, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 3, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 26, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 7–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1627s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1627s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 7, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 21, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1627s (Reps. Lynn, Weyler)” on a voice vote. 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 July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 206 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Joe Alexander (R - Hills 29) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Bob Lynn (R - Rock 17)
• Rep. Katelyn Kuttab (R - Rock 17)
• Rep. Paul Berch (D - Ches 6)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 22, 2025, 11:30 AM: public hearing, House Judiciary, LOB 206-208
• January 30, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Judiciary, LOB 206-208
• February 6, 2025: floor debate, House
• March 5, 2025, 1:00 PM: work session, House Finance, LOB 212
• March 17, 2025, 1:15 PM: executive session, House Finance, LOB 210-211
• September 18, 2025, 10:00 AM: work session, House Finance, GP 230
• October 2, 2025, 1:00 PM: work session, House Finance, GP 230
• October 30, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Finance, GP 230
• January 7, 2026: floor debate, House
• March 3, 2026, 9:15 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, SH 122-123
• March 26, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• May 7, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• February 6, 2025, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• January 7, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-2979h — voice vote, passed
• March 26, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1627s — voice vote, passed
• May 21, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1627s (Reps. Lynn, Weyler) — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 5:35
• RSA 5:49
• RSA 33-A:5-a
• RSA 91-A:4

Related Bills

• HB 1696 (2024): relative to local records retention.
• HB 1696 (2024): relative to local records retention.
• HB 1708-FN (2024): relative to local records retention.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 10, page 10
• HC 51, page 34
• HJ 1, page 178
• SC 7
• SC 11
• SJ 7
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• HJ 14, page 16
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 52