Committee Summary for Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (05/06/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB370 25-507s 00:04:02.840 - 8:17:48 AM	Public Hearing	relative to voter qualifications and access to voter data	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
HB367 00:34:58.560 - 8:48:44 AM	Public Hearing	changing the method for adopting partisan town elections to be the same as rescinding partisan town elections.	Wherry, Robert(R)[A]2024
Unclear 00:42:25.839 - 8:56:11 AM	Public Hearing	Unclear
HB67 1641 00:50:45.280 - 9:04:31 AM	Public Hearing	relative to agreements with the secretary of state for the use of accessible voting systems.	Paige, Mark(D)[CT]2024
HB67 1641 01:03:13.920 - 9:16:59 AM	Executive Session	relative to agreements with the secretary of state for the use of accessible voting systems.	Paige, Mark(D)[CT]2024
HB546 01:08:22.198 - 9:22:08 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to financial disclosures and the public reporting of those disclosures by the secretary of state.	Ohm, Bill(R)[B]2018
HB546 01:14:42.640 - 9:28:28 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) relative to financial disclosures and the public reporting of those disclosures by the secretary of state.	Ohm, Bill(R)[B]2018
HB464 01:15:35.480 - 9:29:21 AM	General Working Session	(New Title) prohibiting certain candidates for political office from participating in counting ballots.	de Vries, Erica(D)

SB370 25-507s: James Gray, Senate District 6 (Alton, Rochester, Strafford) Support00:04:02.840 - 8:17:48 AM; Senator Gray introduced amendment 25-507s to SB370, emphasizing that the amendment does not aim to take over the responsibility of providing proof of voter qualifications but seeks to utilize existing records for verification. The amendment would allow the use of DMV data, vital records, and the voter database to confirm citizenship, domicile, identity, and age when registering at town or city halls or on election day. The Secretary of State would determine the method of access to these records, whether through phone, internet, or tablet. Additionally, Gray mentioned a request from the Secretary of State to modify the language from 'currently registered' to 'previously or currently registered' and to delay the implementation of sections 9 and 10 to December to support spring town elections.
SB370 25-507s: Liz Tentterelli, President of the Nonpartisan League of Women Voters of New Hampshire Oppose00:08:44.440 - 8:22:30 AM; Liz Tentterelli expressed concerns about the amendment's impact on fall city elections, where many register on election day and move frequently. She worried that if voters believe they do not need to bring all required documents and the databases cannot be accessed, it could lead to significant voter disenfranchisement. Additionally, she highlighted the amendment's lack of funding for the proposed changes and suggested retaining the bill for further development next year, as passing it now might undermine confidence in elections and not help all voters.
SB370 25-507s: Joan Dargy, President of New Hampshire City and Town Clerks Information Only00:11:20.399 - 8:25:06 AM; Joan Dargy conveyed the support of city and town clerks for additional ways to qualify voters but raised concerns about the amendment's impact on nursing home residents. She noted that marriage certificates before 1959 are not in the vital records database, requiring access to city or town records. Additionally, she mentioned potential issues with election day access to the database for checklist supervisors who are not online, suggesting a need for more accessible methods.
SB370 25-507s: Mackenzie Taylor, Director of New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights, America Votes New Hampshire Information Only00:12:46.079 - 8:26:32 AM; Mackenzie Taylor spoke about the New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights' efforts to ensure voters are not turned away due to lack of documentation. She mentioned that during town meeting observations, 114 voters were turned away, mostly due to lacking proof of citizenship. Taylor expressed support for connecting databases to help voters register but raised concerns about the implementation of SB370 as currently written. She suggested the committee take more time to refine the bill, ensuring it works for voters and election officials. Concerns included the need for details on how clerks and officials can access voter information, funding, and the impact of long lines on election day. Taylor advocated for the return of affidavits and emphasized the need for more details on how systems would integrate to facilitate voter registration.
SB370 25-507s: Bob Perry Information Only00:18:02.640 - 8:31:48 AM; Bob Perry spoke about the amendment to SB370, focusing on the reliance on the Federal Social Security Administration for voter eligibility. He highlighted the reduction of Social Security staff by 2,000 employees and an expected further reduction of 7,000, which he believes could negatively impact the agency's ability to assist with voter eligibility verification. Perry suggested that these changes could lead to mistakes and disenfranchise eligible voters, emphasizing the need for future legislative fixes.
SB370 25-507s: Olivia Zinc, Voter in Franklin, Executive Director of Open Democracy Oppose00:20:12.480 - 8:33:58 AM; Olivia Zinc testified in opposition to the amendment to SB370, expressing concerns about vague campaign finance laws and unclear voter changes. She supported the jury duty parts of the bill if staff were available to implement them. Zinc suggested that while the goal of connecting government databases to voter information was admirable, there were implementation concerns. She pointed out issues with the language of the amendment, such as unclear references to voter eligibility, election officials, and the voter database. She also raised questions about the effective date of the bill and the need for a phased implementation. Additionally, she discussed concerns about political committee reporting and the potential for creating unintended legal issues for small donations at fairs.
SB370 25-507s: Andrew Harmon, New Hampton Information Only00:31:58.000 - 8:45:44 AM; Andrew Harmon shared his personal experience with voter registration challenges, highlighting the difficulties he faced in proving his citizenship when his birth certificate was rejected due to its style and out-of-state origin. He stressed the need for the voter to show some proof of eligibility but warned that tightening restrictions could make it harder for people to meet these obligations. Harmon also mentioned issues with online access to information and urged the committee to consider potential system break points to ensure a smoother voter registration process.
HB367: Robert Wary, Representative from Hillsboro District 13, Hudson Support00:34:58.560 - 8:48:44 AM; Robert Wary introduced House Bill 367, which aims to clarify the process of transitioning from unofficial to official ballot systems, either partisan or nonpartisan, and to clean up outdated language regarding towns with a population of 4,500. He explained that the bill provides more detailed information on how to switch between ballot systems and addresses an archaic population standard. Wary mentioned that the bill received bipartisan support in crafting amendments and was passed unanimously out of committee after amendments.
HB367: Ross Berry, Representative from the towns of Weare and Goffstown, Chair of the House Committee Information Only00:40:42.800 - 8:54:28 AM; Ross Berry clarified the procedural issues surrounding House Bill 367, explaining that the bill initially passed on a party-line vote but was reconsidered, and an amendment passed unanimously. He noted that the bill came to the floor as a split vote due to a procedural mix-up but emphasized there was no actual minority report. Berry's testimony focused on clarifying the committee's handling of the bill.
Unclear: Diane Power, Representative from Hillsboro County District 36, Brookline, Mason, and Greenville Support00:42:25.839 - 8:56:11 AM; Diane Power introduced a bipartisan bill to clarify RSA 41:11-a regarding town property leases. She explained that the statute was being misinterpreted, leading to unnecessary renewals of long-term leases by voters every five years. Power provided examples from Brookline and Hampton to illustrate the issue. The bill proposes that leases under one year can be managed by selectmen, while leases over a year can be authorized by the legislative body for up to 99 years. She emphasized the need for legislative clarification to prevent misapplication and protect existing leases.
HB67 1641: Robert Wary, Representative from Hillsboro District 13, Hudson Support00:50:45.280 - 9:04:31 AM; Robert Wary introduced House Bill 67, which aims to make permanent a pilot program for assisting visually impaired voters. He mentioned the bill's unanimous support in the House committee and shared personal reasons for its importance due to his wife's experience teaching at Perkins School for the Blind. Wary expressed enthusiasm for the amendment to the bill and highlighted the need for respectful treatment of voters, particularly those with visual impairments.
HB67 1641: Aaron Hennessy, Deputy Secretary of State Information Only00:53:03.839 - 9:06:49 AM; Aaron Hennessy, the Deputy Secretary of State, provided background on HB67, which mandates the use of accessible voting systems in local elections that have adopted paper ballot systems. He explained that last year, the House passed bill 1264, which required a pilot program for the use of the state's current accessible voting equipment, known as the 'one-forall system'. He highlighted the system's complexity and the ongoing efforts to replace it through an RFP process, aiming for completion by the end of the calendar year. Hennessy also discussed the amendment 1641, clarifying its changes to the effective date and the role of town and city clerks as custodians of the equipment.
HB67 1641: Ross Barry, Representative from Goffstown and Chair of the House Election Law Committee Support01:00:08.640 - 9:13:54 AM; Representative Ross Barry expressed full support for HB67 but raised concerns about the unexpected costs faced by smaller towns due to programming fees for the accessible voting systems. He noted the feedback from towns about the high costs and suggested considering whether towns use ballot counting devices or paper foldouts and if they had prior requests or usage of the systems. Barry emphasized the importance of the systems despite the costs, warning that not having them could lead to significant legal expenses.
HB67 1641: Andrew Harmon, Resident of New Hampton Support01:05:25.960 - 9:19:11 AM; Andrew Harmon, a resident of New Hampton, thanked the committee for passing the bill and shared his experience as an independent contractor in accessibility testing. He pointed out potential reasons for low usage of the system, such as lack of awareness or past issues with reliability. Harmon emphasized the value of the system, sharing his positive experience using it and how it significantly reduced the time and increased the privacy of his voting process.
HB67 1641: Committee Members Vote01:03:13.920 - 9:16:59 AM; The committee moved into an executive session to vote on HB67 and amendment 1641. The amendment was passed first, followed by the bill as amended. The committee then voted to come out of the executive session.
HB546: M, Representative from Nashua, Hillsboro 10 Support01:08:22.198 - 9:22:08 AM; Representative M from Nashua explained the purpose of HB546, which aims to increase transparency in campaign finance by requiring disclosure of receipts over $1,000 when received, including contributions to both political committees and individual legislators' personal accounts. The bill also extends monthly reporting from the end of the campaign through the first legislative year to enhance transparency during periods when legislators are voting on bills.
HB546: Ross Barry, Representative from Goffstown and Chair of the House Election Law Committee Oppose01:11:43.440 - 9:25:29 AM; Representative Ross Barry opposed HB546, stating that the House Election Law Committee did not receive or review the bill. He criticized the bill for nearly doubling reporting requirements and selectively targeting state legislators without including executive counselors or the governor. Barry argued that the bill's requirements were arbitrary and would necessitate system reprogramming, urging the committee to find the bill inexpedient to legislate.
HB546: Committee Members Vote01:14:42.640 - 9:28:28 AM; The committee moved into an executive session and voted on HB546. The bill was recommended as inexpedient to legislate, and the committee then voted to come out of the executive session.
HB464: Committee Members Information Only01:15:35.480 - 9:29:21 AM; The committee discussed HB464, focusing on the time it would take to implement changes and the availability of voter records at city halls. Concerns were raised about the cost and feasibility of accessing vital records and the accuracy of citizenship verification through DMV records. Suggestions were made to amend the bill to address registration status and effective dates, with specific changes proposed for the supervisors of the checklist and effective dates for different sections of the bill.
HB464: Committee Members Information Only01:23:03.600 - 9:36:49 AM; The discussion revolved around the implications of HB464 on voter registration processes. A member raised concerns about re-proving citizenship or age and the accessibility of voter records in locations without internet. The response clarified that the Secretary of State has the flexibility in how records are provided, and in smaller localities, alternative methods like calling could be used to verify voter details. The discussion highlighted potential time savings in registration, especially for voters moving between districts within the same city, such as from Manchester 2 to Manchester 7.
HB464: Committee Members Information Only01:25:15.600 - 9:39:01 AM; The committee discussed House Bill 151, focusing on the role of city or town supervisors. It was noted that the proposed law would require examining city charters to see if existing provisions for supervisors would be affected. The committee considered options of setting the term length for supervisors at either two or four years, or amending the bill to reflect changes in city charters.
HB464: Committee Members Vote01:27:41.000 - 9:41:27 AM; The committee voted on an amendment to House Bill 151, changing the term length from three years to two years. The amendment was moved by Senator Lang and seconded, and it passed unanimously. Subsequently, the bill as amended was passed with a motion for consent, indicating general agreement within the committee.
HB464: Committee Members Vote01:29:31.600 - 9:43:17 AM; The committee moved to pass House Bill 421 with an amendment proposed by Senator Wang, which was seconded by Senator Roachford. The amendment required towns to post notices 60 days prior to the required filing date for charitable organizations and send reminders 7 days after if filings were missed. The amendment and the bill as amended were both passed unanimously.
HB464: Committee Members Vote01:31:17.560 - 9:45:03 AM; Discussion on House Bill 217 regarding absentee ballots took place. The committee considered retaining the bill for the next year due to its similarity to another bill in the House. Opinions varied, with some members preferring the Senate's version. A motion to Inexpedient To Legislate (ITL) was made and seconded, passing by a vote of 4 to 1, with a subsequent motion for consent.
HB464: Committee Members Vote01:35:10.000 - 9:48:56 AM; House Bill 274 was discussed, with the committee favoring the Senate's version over the current one. A motion to ITL was made and seconded, passing unanimously with a motion for consent.
HB464: Committee Members Vote01:36:27.960 - 9:50:13 AM; House Bill 340 regarding electioneering was considered. A motion to ITL was initially proposed but not seconded. Subsequently, a motion to re-refer the bill was made and seconded, passing unanimously with a motion for consent.
HB464: Committee Members Vote01:38:48.159 - 9:52:34 AM; House Bill 481 concerning the date of the state primary was discussed. The committee favored the House-amended version of the Senate bill and decided to re-refer HB481 to see the outcome of the other bill. The motion to re-refer passed unanimously with a motion for consent.
HB464: Committee Members Vote01:40:57.080 - 9:54:43 AM; The committee considered House Bill 373 on adopting partisan elections in towns. After brief discussion, a motion to pass the bill was made and seconded, passing unanimously with a motion for consent.
HB464: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:44:50.159 - 9:58:36 AM; The speaker discusses the difficulty in finding the actual bill text and mentions that the term 'inspectors of election' should be removed from the bill because they are appointed by political parties and not elected. The speaker is trying to recall and clarify the modifications made to the bill from memory.
HB464: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:45:42.639 - 9:59:28 AM; The speaker continues discussing the amendment to the bill, specifically mentioning the removal of 'inspector of election' from the list of positions that do not stand for election. The speaker clarifies the language to be used in the amendment and asks if anyone objects to the proposed changes. A sitting moderator agrees with the proposed changes.
HB464: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:47:05.920 - 10:00:51 AM; The speaker mentions that they have already passed section 67 and are in good shape moving forward. They then shift the discussion to Senate Bill 225, which was passed unanimously from their committee but was killed in the House. The speaker discusses the possibility of reintroducing the bill's content into another bill, considering the Senate's position and rules on amendments.
HB464: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:47:52.239 - 10:01:38 AM; The speaker continues discussing the potential of amending Senate Bill 225 into another bill, considering the objections from the House and the Senate's rules. The speaker expresses a preference to not overload House Bill 2 with additional content and suggests considering the reintroduction of Senate Bill 225 in the next session with modifications. The discussion concludes with a motion to come out of executive session, which is passed.

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)