Revision: Feb. 3, 2026, 11:03 a.m.
Rep. Nagel, Belk. 6
January 20, 2026
2026-0174h
07/08
Amendment to HB 1664-FN
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT establishing a Hannah Duston memorial site advisory council.
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
1 Statement of Findings. There general court hereby finds that:
I. Both the story of Hannah Duston and the creation of the Hannah Duston memorial have been controversial and divisive from their beginnings.
II. While Duston is a largely forgotten historical figure regionally and nationally, her story, and the events surrounding both her abduction in 1697, and her historical resurrection in the mid to late 1800’s, are important historically. The site provides an important opportunity to relate the history of relations between European colonists, the Native population, and ramifications for what became known as Manifest Destiny and its own ramifications for Native populations throughout the Americas.
III. It is desirable to relate the story from a broad perspective so that viewers can be given an opportunity to learn from history so that we can avoid mistakes previously made, and find a way to celebrate the cultures involved.
IV. The site of the memorial is geographically complicated, with multiple land overseers including the town of Boscawen, the New Hampshire department of transportation, and the New Hampshire legislature as the overseer of the Duston family trust.
2 New Section; Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; Hannah Duston Memorial Site Advisory Council. Amend RSA 12-A by inserting after section 14-a the following new section:
12-A:14-b Hannah Duston Memorial Site Advisory Council.
I. There is established a Hannah Duston memorial site advisory council. The council shall represent the state in the restoration of the Hannah Duston memorial site.
II.(a) The members of the council shall be as follows:
(a) One member of the majority party of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, who serves on the committee on recreation and development.
(b) One member of the minority party of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, who serves on the committee on recreation and development.
(c) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(d) One member representing the local Native population appointed by the commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources.
(e) One member of the Duston-Dustin Family Association, appointed by that organization.
(f) One local historian with expertise in local Native history, appointed by the commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources.
(g) One local historian with expertise in local colonial history, appointed by the commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources.
(h) One national historian with knowledge of the national implications of the Hannah Duston story, appointed by the commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources.
(i) The commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources, or designee.
(j) The commissioner of the department of transportation, or designee.
(k) A representative of the northern rail trail, appointed by the governor.
III. Legislative members of the council shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the council.
IV. The council shall:
(a) Advise the Hannah Duston memorial work group on issues relating to the state that are pertinent to the state.
(b) Advise on any legislative or other changes that may need to be made in the process.
(c) Solicit information from any person or entity the advisory council deems relevant to its quest.
V. The members of the council shall annually elect a chairperson from among the members, and such other officers as they deem necessary. The first meeting of the council shall be called by the commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources, or their designee. The first meeting of the council shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Six members of the council shall constitute a quorum.
VI. The council shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation annually to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, the commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources, and the state library on or before November 1.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
2026-0174h
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a Hannah Duston memorial site advisory council.