1 New Section; Single Ballot Primary Study Commission. Amend RSA 659 by inserting after section 39 the following new section:

659:39-a Single Primary Study Commission Established.

I. There is established a commission to study the implementation of single ballot primary elections.

II. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, the members of the commission shall be as follows:

(a) Two members of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be from the republican party and one of whom shall be from the democratic party, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b) Two members of the senate, one of whom shall be from the republican party and one of whom shall be from the democratic party, appointed by the president of the senate.

(c) The secretary of state, or designee.

(d) One member from a non-partisan civics education organization, appointed by the governor.

(e) One member from the New Hampshire Town and City Clerks Association, appointed by the president of that organization.

(f) One member from the New Hampshire Municipal Association, appointed by the executive director of that organization.

(g) One member who is a local election official, such as town moderator, city clerk, or town clerk, appointed by the governor.

III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

IV. The commission shall research a single ballot primary, evaluate the potential for implementation in New Hampshire, and deliver recommendations.

V. The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 90 days of the effective date of this section. Five members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

VI. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2027.

2 Repeal. RSA 659:39-a relative to the single primary study commission, is repealed.

3 Effective Date.

I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect on November 1, 2027.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.

1 New Section; Single Ballot Primary Study Commission. Amend RSA 659 by inserting after section 39 the following new section:

659:39-a Single Primary Study Commission Established.

I. There is established a commission to study the implementation of single ballot primary elections.

II. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, the members of the commission shall be as follows:

(a) Two members of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be from the republican party and one of whom shall be from the democratic party, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b) Two members of the senate, one of whom shall be from the republican party and one of whom shall be from the democratic party, appointed by the president of the senate.

(c) The secretary of state, or designee.

(d) One member from a non-partisan civics education organization, appointed by the governor.

(e) One member from the New Hampshire Town and City Clerks Association, appointed by the president of that organization.

(f) One member from the New Hampshire Municipal Association, appointed by the executive director of that organization.

(g) One member who is a local election official, such as town moderator, city clerk, or town clerk, appointed by the governor.

III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

IV. The commission shall research a single ballot primary, evaluate the potential for implementation in New Hampshire, and deliver recommendations.

V. The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 90 days of the effective date of this section. Five members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

VI. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2027.

2 Repeal. RSA 659:39-a relative to the single primary study commission, is repealed.

3 Effective Date.

I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect on November 1, 2027.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.