HB 1044 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
5Feb2026... 0069h
2026 SESSION
26-2403
08/06
HOUSE BILL 1044
AN ACT relative to the filling of vacancies in the office of a county commissioner.
SPONSORS: Rep. Turcotte, Straf. 4; Rep. Burnham, Straf. 2; Rep. Bailey, Straf. 2; Rep. Walker, Straf. 19; Rep. DeRoy, Straf. 3; Rep. Harrington, Straf. 18; Rep. Ankarberg, Straf. 7; Rep. Farrington, Straf. 8; Rep. Potenza, Straf. 19; Rep. Granger, Straf. 2; Sen. Gray, Dist 6
COMMITTEE: Municipal and County Government
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires a vacancy in the office of county commissioner to be filled by the members of the county convention.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
5Feb2026... 0069h 26-2403
08/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to the filling of vacancies in the office of a county commissioner.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 County Officers; Vacancies. Amend RSA 661:9, II(a) to read as follows:
(a) If a vacancy occurs in the office of a county commissioner, [the members of the county convention, or, if the vacancy occurs in Hillsborough county,] the members of the county convention representing the cities and towns in the commissioner's district, shall fill the vacancy by a majority of the ballots cast until the next biennial election of county officers. If the term of office filled by the procedure in this subparagraph extends beyond the date of the next biennial election [is less than the unexpired term], then notwithstanding any provisions of RSA 653:1, VI, the office of a county commissioner [district filled pursuant to this paragraph] shall be added to the next biennial election ballot to be [chosen] elected by the voters of the county [for a 2-year term] commissioner's district to serve the remainder of the unexpired term associated with that office.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Jan. 29, 2026 | 2026-0069h |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 13, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Jan. 13, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| Jan. 20, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
Feb. 9, 2026: Introduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 4
Feb. 5, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0069h: MA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3
Feb. 5, 2026: Amendment # 2026-0069h: AA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3
Jan. 29, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0069h 01/20/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 5 P. 10
Jan. 22, 2026: Executive Session: 01/13/2026 10:00 am GP 154
Jan. 8, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/13/2026 10:00 am GP 154
Nov. 7, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 1