HB 1689 (2026): relative to the term of office for county officers in Belknap and Merrimack counties.

HB 1689 (2026)

relative to the term of office for county officers in Belknap and Merrimack counties.

• Status: Died: the chambers did not agree on a version
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Municipal and County Government
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: Elections

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 13, 2026, with 2 people signed in online: 1 in opposition and 1 as neutral. The committee met in executive session on January 13, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted 15–1 to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On February 5, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on February 5, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 17, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1204s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1204s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 26, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 26, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On April 9, 2026 the House failed “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1204s” on a roll call 65–287, on a motion by Rep. Diane Pauer. On April 9, 2026 the House adopted “House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1204s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Joe Sweeney.

Sponsors

• Rep. Bryan Morse (R - Merr 3) (prime sponsor)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 13, 2026, 9:50 AM: public hearing, House Municipal and County Government, GP 154
• January 13, 2026, 9:50 AM: executive session, House Municipal and County Government, GP 154
• February 5, 2026: consent calendar, House
• March 17, 2026, 9:15 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, SH 122-123
• March 26, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• April 9, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• February 5, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• March 26, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1204s — voice vote, passed
• April 9, 2026, House: Concur — yeas 65, nays 287, failed
• April 9, 2026, House: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1204s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 653:1
• RSA 7:33

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 31
• HC 5, page 14
• HJ 3, page 17
• SJ 4
• SC 10
• SC 11
• SJ 7
• HJ 10, pages 8 and 10