HB 686-FN (2026): prohibiting certain public entities from conducting or sponsoring political surveys, polls, or questionnaires in their official capacities.

HB 686-FN (2026)

prohibiting certain public entities from conducting or sponsoring political surveys, polls, or questionnaires in their official capacities.

• 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 9, 2025 and referred to the House Election Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 4, 2025, with 626 people signed in online: 61 in support, 563 in opposition and 2 as neutral. The committee met in executive session on February 11, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee held work sessions on February 14, 2025, February 21, 2025, March 7, 2025 and March 14, 2025. The committee met in executive session on March 18, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee held a work session on March 18, 2025. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee met in executive session on September 16, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee held a public hearing on September 16, 2025 on a proposed non-germane amendment (2025-2935h), with 21 people signed in online: 21 in opposition. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-2935h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 10–7. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On January 7, 2026 the House adopted “Recommit” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Ross Berry. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0972h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 9–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0972h) 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 division vote 178–152. 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 March 31, 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 April 16, 2026 the Senate adopted “Refer to Interim Study” on a voice vote.

Sponsors

• Rep. Kelley Potenza (R - Straf 19) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Aidan Ankarberg (I - Straf 7)
• Rep. Ross Berry (R - Hills 44)
• Rep. Claudine Burnham (R - Straf 2)
• Rep. Susan DeRoy (R - Straf 3)
• Rep. Katelyn Kuttab (R - Rock 17)
• Rep. Len Turcotte (R - Straf 4)
• Rep. Robert Wherry (R - Hills 13)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 4, 2025, 2:30 PM: public hearing, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• February 11, 2025, 10:10 AM: executive session, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• February 14, 2025, 9:30 AM: subcommittee work session, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• February 21, 2025, 9:30 AM: subcommittee work session, House Election Law, LOB 302-304
• March 7, 2025, 1:00 PM: subcommittee work session, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• March 14, 2025, 9:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• March 18, 2025, 9:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Election Law, LOB 307
• March 18, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Election Law, LOB 306-308
• September 16, 2025, 10:15 AM: executive session, House Election Law, GP 158
• January 7, 2026: floor debate, House
• March 11, 2026: floor debate, House
• March 31, 2026, 1:45 PM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, SH 122-123
• April 16, 2026: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• January 7, 2026, House: Recommit — voice vote, passed
• March 11, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0972h — yeas 178, nays 152, passed
• April 16, 2026, Senate: Refer to Interim Study — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 659:44-a

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 51, page 31
• HJ 1, page 163
• HC 10, page 40
• HJ 7, pages 143 and 144
• SJ 7
• SC 12
• SC 14
• SJ 9