SB 223-FN (2026): relative valid photo identification for purposes of obtaining a ballot and relative to the production of lists of certain schools of higher education.

SB 223-FN (2026)

relative valid photo identification for purposes of obtaining a ballot and relative to the production of lists of certain schools of higher education.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Election Law
• Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
• Subject: Elections
• Chapter law: 243

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 11, 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 March 6, 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 kill it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The bill was taken off the consent calendar on January 7, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate kill it. On January 29, 2026 the Senate rejected a motion to kill it on a voice vote. A floor amendment (2026-0189s), offered by Sen. Victoria Sullivan, was adopted on a voice vote on January 29, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On January 29, 2026 the Senate adopted “Waived Referral to Finance; Without Objection”, on a motion by Sen. James Gray. On January 29, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on February 19, 2026 and was referred to the House Election Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 31, 2026, with 210 people signed in online: 8 in support and 202 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on May 5, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1829h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 10–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1829h) was adopted on a voice vote on May 14, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 14, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 187–157. On May 21, 2026 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes, on a motion by Sen. James Gray. 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 243 of the session laws. It took effect on August 31, 2026.

Sponsors

• Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R - SD18) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16)
• Rep. Kimberly Rice (R - Hills 38)
• Rep. Jeanine Notter (R - Hills 12)
• Rep. Michael Moffett (R - Merr 4)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 11, 2025, 10:00 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs, LOB 103
• March 6, 2025: consent calendar, Senate
• January 29, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• March 31, 2026, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Election Law, GP 158
• May 5, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Election Law, GP 158
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, House
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• March 6, 2025, Senate: Rereferred to Committee — voice vote, passed
• January 29, 2026, Senate: Inexpedient to Legislate — voice vote, failed
• January 29, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0189s — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 187, nays 157, passed
• May 21, 2026, Senate: Concur — yeas 14, nays 8, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 659:13
• RSA 21-N:4

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 9
• SC 11
• SJ 1
• SC 3
• SJ 2
• HJ 5, page 124
• HC 19, page 22
• HJ 13, pages 69 and 70
• SJ 13
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 45