HB 340-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES

6Feb2025... 0029h

6Feb2025... 0274h

01/07/2026   3053s

4Jun2026... 2102CofC

2025 SESSION

25-0651

08/06

HOUSE BILL 340-FN

AN ACT relative to electioneering by public employees.

SPONSORS: Rep. Berry, Hills. 44; Rep. Alexander Jr., Hills. 29; Rep. Corcoran, Hills. 28; Rep. Mazur, Hills. 44; Rep. Seidel, Hills. 29; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16

COMMITTEE: Election Law

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ANALYSIS

This bill defines electioneering in relation to public employees

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

6Feb2025... 0029h

6Feb2025... 0274h

01/07/2026   3053s

4Jun2026... 2102CofC 25-0651

08/06

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five

AN ACT relative to electioneering by public employees.

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

1  Electioneering by Public Employees; Penalties.  Amend RSA 659:44-a, III to read as follows:  

III. For the purposes of this section, "electioneer" [means to act in any way specifically designed to influence the vote of a voter on any question or office] is defined according to RSA 652:16-h.

2  Electioneering by Public Employees.  Amend RSA 659:44-a, IV to read as follows:

IV.(a)  Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(b)  Any person who violates this provision and is not subject to the penalties imposed under subparagraph IV(a) shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000.

3  New Paragraph; Electioneering by Public Employees.  Amend RSA 652:16-h by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph:  

III.  Organizing or conducting surveys that are expressly or primarily political, meaning that they have a format, questions, or other characteristics that clearly indicate a preference for one or more candidates or political parties in an election or one or more policies that are reasonably anticipated to be on the ballot or otherwise at issue in an election.  This paragraph shall also apply to any person identified in RSA 273-A:1, IX(b), (c), or (d).  

4  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.

LBA

25-0651

1/13/26

HB 340-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT #2025-3053s)

AN ACT relative to electioneering by public employees.

FISCAL IMPACT:  

METHODOLOGY:

This bill adds, deletes, or modifies a criminal penalty, or changes statute to which there is a penalty for violation. Therefore, this bill may have an impact on the judicial and correctional systems, which could affect prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole costs, for the state, as well as county and local governments. A summary of such costs can be found at: https://gencourt.state.nh.us/lba/Budget/Fiscal_Notes/JudicialCorrectionalCosts.pdf

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Judicial Branch, Judicial Council, Department of Justice, Department of Corrections, New Hampshire Association of Counties, and New Hampshire Municipal Association