New HampshireNew Hampshire allows local governments to store electronic records online
Since August 31, 2026, local governments may store electronic records on a state-designated public website, with $50,000 set aside to create and maintain it.
What it does
The archives director must choose a public website for local electronic records with the municipal records board’s approval. The law sets aside $50,000 to create and maintain it.
Local governments may store electronic records on the designated website. They may skip keeping another copy only if they offer at least one free way to access the site.
Public offices may answer a request with a website address if the requested record was uploaded under these rules. The request must describe the record well enough to identify it.
Argument forPeople could find local electronic records more easily if local governments post them online and offer a free way to use the site.
Argument againstPeople seeking a specific record may have to search a website if a public office answers their request with only its address.
More detail
The archives director must choose a public website, and the state sets aside $50,000 for it. The website is for storing local electronic records and giving the public access to them. The municipal records board must approve the website. Unused money remains available after the fiscal year ends. These provisions took effect August 31, 2026. The $50,000 is for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
Local governments may store electronic records on the designated public website. This includes paper municipal records converted to electronic form as the law requires. They must follow the state archivist’s guidance. They may skip keeping another copy only if they offer the public at least one free way to access the website. This provision took effect August 31, 2026.
Public bodies and agencies may answer certain records requests by giving the website address. This applies when someone requests a government record from a public body or agency. The request must describe the record well enough to identify it. The record must have been uploaded under the municipal electronic records rules. This provision took effect August 31, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 9Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte Ayotte 07/02/2026; Chapter 206; eff. 8/31/2026Became Law
- Jun 23Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 52To Governor
- Jun 23Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14Minor
- May 21House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1627s (Reps. Lynn, Weyler): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 16
- May 7Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1627s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11Passed Senate
- May 7Committee Amendment # 2026-1627s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
- Apr 27Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1627s, 05/07/2026; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 17Minor
- Mar 26Ought to Pass: MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 03/26/2026; SJ 7Minor
- Mar 18Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/26/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11Minor
- Feb 18Hearing: 03/03/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:15 am; SC 7
- Jan 30Introduced 01/29/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 3Minor
- Jan 7Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-2979h: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 178Passed House
- Jan 7Amendment # 2025-2979h: AA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 178
- 2025
- Nov 5Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2979h 10/30/2025 (Vote 25-0; RC) HC 51 P. 34Minor
- Oct 14Executive Session: 10/30/2025 10:00 am GP 230
- Sep 18Division I Work Session: 10/02/2025 01:00 pm GP 230
- Aug 28Division I Work Session: 09/18/2025 10:00 am GP 230
- Mar 28Retained in Committee
- Mar 14Executive Session: 03/17/2025 01:15 pm LOB 210-211
- Feb 27Division I Work Session: 03/05/2025 01:00 pm LOB 212
- Feb 6Referred to Finance 02/06/2025 HJ 4 P. 31Minor
- Feb 6Ought to Pass: MA VV 02/06/2025 HJ 4 P. 31
- Jan 24Committee Report: Ought to Pass 01/22/2025 (Vote 13-0; RC) HC 10 P. 10Minor
- Jan 22Executive Session: 01/30/2025 10:00 am LOB 206-208
- Jan 15Public Hearing: 01/22/2025 11:30 am LOB 206-208
- Jan 6Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Judiciary HJ 2 P. 8Introduced
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