HB 1500 - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2463
09/08
HOUSE BILL 1500
SPONSORS: Rep. Telerski, Hills. 11; Rep. Simpson, Rock. 33; Rep. B. Sullivan, Sull. 1; Rep. Grote, Rock. 24; Rep. Ebel, Merr. 7; Rep. Wallner, Merr. 19; Rep. Rung, Hills. 12; Rep. Almy, Graf. 17; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a commission to study and propose procedures in the event of a state government shutdown.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2463
09/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Subdivision; Commission to Study Government Shutdown Procedures. Amend RSA 9 by inserting after section 28 the following new subdivision:
Commission to Study Government Shutdown Procedures
9:29 Commission to Study Government Shutdown Procedures.
A commission is established to study and propose procedures in the event of a state government shutdown. The purpose of the commission is to identify legal, operational, fiscal, and personnel issues related to a government shutdown and to recommend protocols to ensure continuity of essential services, employee protections, and responsible fiscal management for the judicial branch administrative office and the departments, commissions, and agencies as outlined in RSA 21-G:6-b, II-IV.
I. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, the members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the house of representatives executive departments and administration committee, one appointed by the speaker of the house and one appointed by the house minority leader.
(b) Two members of the house of representatives finance committee, one appointed by the speaker of the house and one appointed by the house minority leader.
(c) Two members of the house of representatives ways and means committee, one appointed by the speaker of the house and one appointed by the house minority leader.
(d) Four members of the senate, two appointed by the president of the senate and 2 appointed by the senate minority leader.
(e) One representative from the office of the governor, appointed by the governor.
(f) The state treasurer, or designee.
(g) The secretary of state, or designee.
(h) The attorney general, or designee.
(i) One representative from the department of administrative services, appointed by the commissioner.
(j) One representative of SEA/SEIU Local 1984, appointed by the union.
(k) One representative of the Community Action Partnership of New Hampshire (CAPNH), appointed by CAPNH.
(l) One representative of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire (BIA). appointed by the association.
II. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
III. The commission shall:
(a) Identify essential government services and prioritize them in the event of a shutdown.
(b) Review statutory, contractual, and constitutional obligations regarding state employee compensation, benefits, and furloughs.
(c) Analyze fiscal controls, fund flows, and administrative mechanisms that would be affected.
(d) Propose legal and procedural frameworks to maintain public health, safety, and welfare services.
(e) Evaluate options for continuing appropriations or contingency planning mechanisms.
(f) Recommend legislative or administrative actions to ensure transparency, accountability, and continuity of operations during a shutdown.
IV. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the legislative members. The first meeting shall be called by the first-named house member and held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. A majority of the commission members shall constitute a quorum.
V. The commission shall submit an interim report with its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation on or before November 1, 2026, and a final report on or before November 1, 2027, to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, house minority leader, senate minority leader, the chairpersons of the house and senate executive departments and administration committees, the governor, the house clerk, the senate clerk, and the state library.
2 Repeal. RSA 9:29 and the subdivision heading preceding it, relative to the commission to study government shutdown procedures, is repealed.
I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect November 2, 2027.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 15, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Jan. 15, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| Jan. 28, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
Feb. 3, 2026: Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
Feb. 3, 2026: Majority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/28/2026 (Vote 7-6; RC)
Feb. 3, 2026: Executive Session: 01/15/2026 11:00 am GP 231
Jan. 8, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/15/2026 11:00 am GP 231
Dec. 10, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration