HB 1601-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-3189
08/06
HOUSE BILL 1601-FN
SPONSORS: Rep. Wilhelm, Hills. 21; Rep. Berry, Hills. 44
COMMITTEE: Election Law
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires the secretary of state to create a voter education program that includes information on recent changes to voting laws.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-3189
08/06
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 Voter Education Program. The secretary of state is directed to create a voter education program in order to inform voters about recent changes to voting laws. The secretary of state shall use $50,000 in funds made available through the Help America Vote Act 2002, 52 U.S.C. section 20901 et seq. in order to create the program, develop materials, and make them available to voters in the state.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
26-3189
12/4/25
HB 1601-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT:
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | $50,000 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Funds | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill directs the Secretary of State to establish a voter education program to inform the public about recent changes to voting laws. To support this initiative, the Secretary shall allocate $50,000 from Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds.
The Department of State notes that the Secretary already operates a comprehensive voter education program. It further indicates that restricting the initiative to $50,000 may limit the program’s outreach.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of State
Dec. 10, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law