New Hampshire HB 1396: relative to vacancies in state offices.

Bill Text

HB 1396 - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-3212

 08/09

HOUSE BILL 1396

AN ACT relative to vacancies in state offices. 

SPONSORS: Rep. Sweeney, Rock. 25; Rep. Berry, Hills. 44

COMMITTEE: Election Law

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ANALYSIS

 This bill requires leaving a vacancy in the state house of representatives unfilled should one occur.

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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 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-3212

 08/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT relative to vacancies in state offices. 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 Executive Councilor; State Senator; Vacancies. RSA 661:8 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows: 

 661:8 Executive Councilor; State Senator.

 I. If a vacancy occurs in the office of executive councilor or state senator, it shall be filled as provided in part II, articles 34 and 62 of the state constitution.

 II. Within 21 days after proof of a vacancy or a request that a vacancy be filled, the governor, in the case of an executive council vacancy, or the governor and council, in the case of any other vacancy, shall declare that there shall be a special election, which shall be held as provided in RSA 655:81 and 82 or as provided in RSA 661:8, III.

 III. No special election shall be held after March 15 of the second year of the biennium, as determined by RSA 655:81, I.

 2 Delegate to State Party Convention; State Representative. Amend RSA 661:10 to read as follows: 

 661:10 State Representative; Delegate to State Party Convention. If a vacancy occurs in the office of state representative or delegate to a state party convention, the vacancy shall not be filled.

 3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.