Committee Summary for Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (04/15/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB288 00:05:00.720 - 8:19:21 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) limiting how far in advance of an election an absentee ballot may be requested.	Wherry, Robert(R)[A]2024
HB340 00:19:21.480 - 8:33:42 AM	Public Hearing	relative to electioneering by public employees.	Berry, Ross(R)[A-]2024
HB464 00:57:51.559 - 9:12:12 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) prohibiting certain candidates for political office from participating in counting ballots.	de Vries, Erica(D)
HB474 01:04:21.200 - 9:18:42 AM	Public Hearing	requiring a second witness at the counting of write-in votes.	Burnham, Claudine(R)[A]2024
HB569 01:09:07.839 - 9:23:28 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the establishment of county-wide communication districts.	Howard, Heath(D)[F]2024
HB569 01:12:19.840 - 9:26:40 AM	Executive Session	relative to the establishment of county-wide communication districts.	Howard, Heath(D)[F]2024
HB230 01:13:21.400 - 9:27:42 AM	Executive Session	relative to the adoption of public health ordinances by municipalities.	Harvey-Bolia, Juliet(R)[A]2024
HB421 01:16:19.600 - 9:30:40 AM	Executive Session	relative to notice of tax exempt-status filing procedures by town officials or offices.	Pearson, Mark(R)[B-]2024
HB288 01:36:25.800 - 9:50:46 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) limiting how far in advance of an election an absentee ballot may be requested.	Wherry, Robert(R)[A]2024
HB464 01:41:53.159 - 9:56:14 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) prohibiting certain candidates for political office from participating in counting ballots.	de Vries, Erica(D)
HB474 01:45:11.880 - 9:59:32 AM	Executive Session	requiring a second witness at the counting of write-in votes.	Burnham, Claudine(R)[A]2024

HB288: Bob Wary, Representative from Hudson, Hillsboro District 13 Support00:05:00.720 - 8:19:21 AM; Representative Bob Wary introduced House Bill 288, which aims to limit how far in advance an absentee ballot may be requested. He highlighted that prior to the November 2024 election, absentee ballots were requested as early as August 2023, up to 15 months before the election. He argued that requesting ballots so far in advance is neither prudent nor pragmatic. The bill specifies timing for UOCAVA voters and limits other absentee ballot requests to no more than six months before an election. The bill was approved in a bipartisan vote in the House Election Law Committee.
HB288: Olivia Zinc, Executive Director of Open Democracy, Voter from Franklin Oppose00:08:53.200 - 8:23:14 AM; Olivia Zinc opposed the bill, arguing that it would negatively impact various groups of voters, such as military personnel, overseas voters, and those traveling within the U.S. She provided examples of individuals who might be affected by the six-month limit, such as a naval officer on deployment, a retired couple on an RV trip, and State Department employees. She argued that the bill could punish voters who responsibly apply early and noted that clerks do not process requests until ballots are ready, suggesting no harm in early requests.
HB288: Ross Barry, Representative from Hillsboro 44, Gtown Support00:12:56.000 - 8:27:17 AM; Representative Ross Barry supported the bill, emphasizing the lack of a current requirement for how far in advance an absentee ballot can be requested. He mentioned a study showing that many early requests came from a retirement home, questioning the appropriateness of such requests. He argued that a six-month limit is reasonable and that voters should be able to arrange their ballots within that period, regardless of their location. The bill passed the House Election Law Committee and the House floor with bipartisan support.
HB288: Ross Barry, Representative from Hillsboro 44, Goffstown Support00:12:56.000 - 8:27:17 AM; Rep. Ross Barry supports the amendment to HB288, stating it accomplishes the sponsor's goal and strikes a balance regarding ad placements. He mentioned communication with Representative Katab, who was satisfied with the amendment. The amendment was passed by the committee.
HB340: Ross Barry, Representative from Hillsboro 44, Goffstown and Weare Support00:19:21.480 - 8:33:42 AM; Rep. Ross Barry introduced HB340, which aims to tighten the electioneering statute by expanding the definition of what constitutes election interference by public employees. He emphasized that public employees should remain neutral during their official duties and highlighted examples of alleged electioneering abuses in Amherst, Hooksett, and Goffstown. The bill changes the language from 'specifically designed' to 'designed or having the effect of' to broaden the scope and includes safe harbors for certain election-related activities by public employees. He addressed concerns about the subjectivity of the language, asserting that it should be broad to prevent electioneering by public employees using taxpayer resources.
HB340: Lisa Maer, Representative from Hillsboro District 44, Goffstown and Weare Support00:40:14.480 - 8:54:35 AM; Rep. Lisa Maer supported HB340, emphasizing the importance of public employees remaining neutral during elections. She cited a recent case in Goffstown where public employees created a politically biased questionnaire for candidates, which she argued could lead to unequal access to resources and undermine public trust in government institutions.
HB340: Brian Hawkins, representing NEA New Hampshire Oppose00:42:16.359 - 8:56:37 AM; Brian Hawkins opposed HB340, arguing that the current law already prohibits electioneering by public employees during their duties and using government property. He stated that the bill's language is too broad and subjective, potentially leading to misdemeanor charges for actions that might influence votes unintentionally.
HB340: Sarah Bert Cohen, representing New Hampshire Municipal Association Oppose00:45:19.359 - 8:59:40 AM; Sarah Bert Cohen opposed HB340, arguing that its language is too broad and subjective, potentially chilling public employees' speech. She expressed concerns about the bill's impact on distributing campaign materials, making public statements, and organizing candidate forums, which are common practices in municipalities.
HB340: Henry Gas, Representative from Hillsboro 29th District, Goffstown Support00:51:33.760 - 9:05:54 AM; Rep. Henry Gas supported HB340 by discussing three questions from a survey in Goffstown, which he argued were partisan and designed to influence voters. He highlighted the need for stronger guidelines to prevent electioneering by public employees using taxpayer resources.
HB340: Alan Rap, representing New Hampshire AFL-CIO Oppose00:55:28.880 - 9:09:49 AM; Alan Rap opposed HB340, citing its vagueness and the potential difficulty for the average person to understand and abide by the law. He argued that the current definition of electioneering already covers the issues raised in Goffstown, making the bill unnecessary.
HB464: Ross Barry, Representative from Hillsboro 44, Goffstown and Weare Support00:57:51.559 - 9:12:12 AM; Rep. Ross Barry introduced HB464, which prohibits candidates on the ballot from participating in the pre-election inventory count of ballots. He clarified that the bill does not imply fraud but aims to prevent the appearance of impropriety. The committee amended the bill to exempt constitutionally protected officers such as moderators and clerks.
HB464: Erikica Dere, Representative from Rockingham 29 Support01:00:38.400 - 9:14:59 AM; Erikica Dere, the prime sponsor of HB464, emphasized the bill's intent to address perception issues and enhance trust in elections. She clarified that the bill aims to prevent any perception of fraud by restricting certain election officials from handling ballots pre-election, while exempting moderators, assistant moderators, clerks, select persons, inspectors of elections, and supervisors of the checklist. She noted that the bill received an 18-0 ought to pass recommendation from the House election law committee and was passed on consent in the House.
HB474: Ross Barry, Representative from Hillsborough 44, Goffstown and Weare Support01:04:21.200 - 9:18:42 AM; Ross Barry introduced HB474, which requires a second witness during the counting of write-in votes. He explained that this requirement is already in the election law handbook but seeks to codify it into law. The bill addresses the increasing use of write-in votes and aims to ensure transparency and integrity in the voting process. He mentioned that the bill passed out of committee with a 10-7 vote, and he speculated that those who opposed it may have felt it was unnecessary.
HB569: Heath Howard, Representative from Strafford and Barrington in Strafford District 4 Support01:09:07.839 - 9:23:28 AM; Heath Howard introduced HB569, which enables the establishment of countywide communications districts to help small or low population density areas secure better contracts with internet service providers. The bill streamlines the process for forming these districts and allows county governments to initiate study committees to assess the feasibility of such contracts.
HB569: Kate Han, New Hampshire Association of Counties Support01:11:15.000 - 9:25:36 AM; Kate Han, representing the New Hampshire Association of Counties, expressed support for HB569. She highlighted that the bill offers an option for counties and municipalities to explore the potential benefits of a communications district without mandating any action.
HB569: Committee Vote01:12:19.840 - 9:26:40 AM; The committee moved to pass HB569 with no opposition and placed it on consent.
HB230: Committee Vote01:13:21.400 - 9:27:42 AM; The committee discussed HB230, which concerns the public health officer. A motion to pass the bill as presented was made, but due to a lack of clear consensus and the absence of a senator who wanted to propose an amendment, the vote was inconclusive, and the decision was held pending further discussion.
HB421: Committee Information Only01:16:19.600 - 9:30:40 AM; The committee discussed HB421, which addresses procedures for tax-exempt status. There was a debate on whether it was appropriate for towns to send out forms for this purpose, with a suggestion to post the information on a website instead. The committee decided to delay further discussion until the committee attorney could provide an opinion.
HB421: Committee Information Only01:16:19.600 - 9:30:40 AM; The Committee was finishing its discussion on HB421 in the executive session.
HB421: Robert Support01:18:29.760 - 9:32:50 AM; Robert supports HB421 and believes that a vulnerability disclosure program is crucial for the state. He mentioned that the National Association of Secretaries of State and CISA recommend such programs. He also noted that the bill was slightly amended by the committee to address concerns raised by Secretary Scanland, and he is supportive of the amended language.
HB421: David Scanland, Secretary of State Support01:20:37.360 - 9:34:58 AM; Secretary Scanland supports the concept of the vulnerability disclosure program as proposed in HB421. He has researched the issue further since the House hearing and noted that Iowa, Ohio, and Minnesota have implemented similar programs. However, these programs do not apply to their voter registration databases due to sensitivity concerns. Scanland suggested that New Hampshire should also exclude the voter registration database from the program initially due to its ongoing development. He provided materials on other states' programs and expressed concerns about the involvement of the cybersecurity oversight committee in election-related decisions, preferring to have sole responsibility as the constitutional officer.
HB421: Representative McFallen Support01:27:55.679 - 9:42:16 AM; Representative McFallen supports the amendment to HB421 but expressed disappointment that it excludes the voter registration database. He is willing to discuss the history and details of vulnerability disclosure and bug bounty programs.
HB421: Representative Ross Bers, Gothtown, Hillsboro Support01:28:56.520 - 9:43:17 AM; Representative Ross Bers from Gothtown (corrected to Goffstown), Hillsboro, mentioned that the House Election Law Committee passed HB421 with a bipartisan vote. He had not seen the Senate's amendment but discussed the House's amendment, which added section three to address some of Secretary Scanland's concerns. The amendment aimed to give the Secretary a timeline to fix vulnerabilities before public disclosure. Bers suggested that the Senate should work with the Secretary to find a more agreeable solution.
HB288: Committee Member Information Only01:36:25.800 - 9:50:46 AM; The committee member discussed the challenges of providing ballots to military personnel on submarines, noting the difficulty in communication and the appropriateness of a six-month period for processing. They expressed support for the bill but highlighted the need for entering information into the election system promptly.
HB288: Committee Member Support01:37:18.719 - 9:51:39 AM; The committee member supported HB288, noting the provision for absentee ballots and the requirement for proof of citizenship and domicile. They mentioned that notaries can perform their duties remotely via Zoom, which could help alleviate concerns about accessibility. They also discussed the use of Real ID to verify citizenship, suggesting it meets the 'more likely than not' standard for voting records.
HB288: Committee Member Support01:39:28.960 - 9:53:49 AM; The committee member expressed support for the bill, emphasizing the importance of enabling voter participation. They acknowledged that the bill might not significantly impact many people but supported it nonetheless.
HB464: Committee Member Information Only01:41:53.159 - 9:56:14 AM; The committee member suggested removing 'inspectors of election' from the list of individuals who could count ballots due to their political party affiliations. They discussed the existing procedures for counting ballots and questioned the necessity of the proposed changes, indicating a need for further discussion on the amendment.
HB464: Committee Member Support01:44:08.400 - 9:58:29 AM; The committee member agreed with removing inspectors of election from the bill but found the rest of the proposed changes acceptable. They supported the amendment with the suggested modification.
HB474: Committee Member Information Only01:45:11.880 - 9:59:32 AM; The committee member discussed the requirement for a second witness when counting write-in votes. They noted that this is standard procedure and does not pose an issue in larger cities like Manchester, but questioned the availability of sworn election officials in smaller towns.
HB474: Committee Member Vote01:46:40.320 - 10:01:01 AM; The committee member moved to pass HB474. The motion was seconded, and after a brief discussion, the vote was taken with all in favor, resulting in a unanimous decision to pass the bill. Subsequently, a motion for consent was made and seconded, and it also passed unanimously.
HB474: Committee Member Vote01:47:27.239 - 10:01:48 AM; The committee member confirmed that bill 569 was already discussed and passed with a vote of four to nothing on consent. The session concluded with a motion to end the executive session, which was seconded and passed unanimously.

Gray, James(Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Lang, Timothy(V Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Perkins Kwoka, Rebecca(D)[D-]2024
Rochefort, David(R)	Long, Pat(D)