HB 1214 - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2706
09/08
HOUSE BILL 1214
AN ACT relative to public libraries.
SPONSORS: Rep. Perez, Rock. 16; Rep. Andrus, Merr. 5; Rep. Alexander Jr., Hills. 29; Rep. Berry, Hills. 44; Rep. DeVito, Rock. 8; Rep. Giasson, Hills. 29; Rep. Reinfurt, Hills. 29; Rep. Sellers, Graf. 10
COMMITTEE: Municipal and County Government
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ANALYSIS
This bill allows a municipality's governing body to assume governance of a public library.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2706
09/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to public libraries.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Public Libraries; Definitions. Amend RSA 202-A:2, II to read as follows:
II. "Library trustees" shall mean the governing board of a public library, except where the municipality adopts the provisions of RSA 202-A:26.
2 New Section; Public Libraries. Amend RSA 202-A by inserting after section 25 the following new section:
202-A:26 Adoption by Municipality.
A municipality may, according to the provisions of RSA 39:3, elect to have the municipality's governing body assume control of the governance of the library. If a municipality's governing body assumes control of the public library, the library trustees shall serve in an advisory role to the governing body.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 10, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Feb. 10, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| Feb. 10, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
Feb. 18, 2026: Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/10/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC)
Feb. 18, 2026: Executive Session: 02/10/2026 02:10 pm GP 154
Feb. 5, 2026: Public Hearing: 02/10/2026 02:10 pm GP 154
Dec. 1, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Municipal and County Government