HB 1418 - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-3193
08/09
HOUSE BILL 1418
AN ACT setting a minimum affirmative vote for new or expanded spending for SB 2 towns.
SPONSORS: Rep. Berry, Hills. 44
COMMITTEE: Election Law
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ANALYSIS
This bill sets a minimum affirmative vote for new or expanded spending in SB 2 towns.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-3193
08/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT setting a minimum affirmative vote for new or expanded spending for SB 2 towns.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Town Elections; Official Ballot Budget Threshold. Amend RSA 669 by inserting after section 25 the following new section:
669:25-a Official Ballot Warrant Articles; Minimum Voter Participation.
In any town that has adopted the official ballot referendum form of meeting pursuant to RSA 40:13, no warrant article proposing the adoption of the town’s operating budget or of any other appropriation shall pass unless at least 15 percent of the registered voters of the town cast ballots on the question and a majority of those voting vote “Yes.”
2 New Section; School District Elections; Official Ballot Budget Threshold. Amend RSA 671 by inserting after section 33 the following new section:
671:34 Official Ballot Warrant Articles; Minimum Voter Participation.
In any school district that has adopted the official ballot referendum form of meeting pursuant to RSA 40:13, no warrant article proposing the adoption of the school district’s operating budget or of any other appropriation shall pass unless at least 15 percent of the registered voters of the school district cast ballots on the question and a majority of those voting vote “Yes.”
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| March 4, 2026 | 2026-0971h |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 17, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| March 3, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| March 3, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
March 11, 2026: Lay HB1418 on Table (Rep. Berry): MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7
March 4, 2026: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
March 4, 2026: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0971h 03/03/2026 (Vote 9-8; RC) HC 10 P. 43
Feb. 18, 2026: Executive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 158
Feb. 12, 2026: Public Hearing: 02/17/2026 11:40 am GP 158
Dec. 4, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law HJ 1 P. 19