HB 481 (2026): relative to the state primary date.

HB 481 (2026)

relative to the state primary date.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Election Law
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: Elections
• Chapter law: 44

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the House Election Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 25, 2025, with 26 people signed in online: 10 in support, 13 in opposition and 3 as neutral. The committee met in executive session on March 4, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it, and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 13–5. The report was placed on the regular calendar. A floor amendment (2025-1360h), offered by Rep. Ross Berry, was adopted on a division vote 337–1 on March 26, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 26, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 27, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 29, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate send it back to committee, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On May 15, 2025 the Senate voted to send it back to committee on a voice vote. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-3068s). The committee's amendment (2025-3068s) was adopted on a voice vote on January 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On January 7, 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 adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-3068s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Ross Berry. The bill was enrolled on April 23, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on May 8, 2026, making it Chapter 44 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Kris Schultz (D - Merr 29) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Ross Berry (R - Hills 44)
• Rep. Alicia Gregg (D - Hills 7)
• Rep. Michael Moffett (R - Merr 4)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 25, 2025, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• March 4, 2025, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• March 26, 2025: floor debate, House
• April 29, 2025, 10:30 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, LOB 103
• May 15, 2025: consent calendar, Senate
• January 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• April 9, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 26, 2025, House: Adopt Floor Amendment — yeas 337, nays 1, passed
• March 26, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-1360h — voice vote, passed
• May 15, 2025, Senate: Rereferred to Committee — voice vote, passed
• January 7, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-3068s — voice vote, passed
• April 9, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-3068s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 653:8
• RSA 654:32
• RSA 654:34
• RSA 655:14
• RSA 655:16
• RSA 655:21
• RSA 655:26
• RSA 655:31
• RSA 655:32
• RSA 655:41
• RSA 655:43
• RSA 665:5
• RSA 658:2

Related Bills

• HB 115 (2024): relative to changing the date of the state primary election.
• SB 380 (2024): relative to moving the state primary date.
• HB 643 (2020): relative to the date of the state primary election.
• HB 115 (2024): relative to changing the date of the state primary election.
• SB 157 (2020): making undeclared voters eligible to be inspectors.
• HB 406 (2015): relative to the date of the state primary election.
• HB 1538 (2010): relative to the date of the state primary election.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 17, page 29
• SC 19
• SC 21
• SJ 1
• HJ 10, page 8
• SJ 11
• HJ 11, page 82