County voters could petition courts to convene investigative grand juries

The superior court would convene a special grand jury after receiving and verifying a petition. At least 500 qualified electors who live in the county must sign the petition. The petition must clearly state what should be investigated and include each signer's printed name, address, and signature. The county would pay the costs of convening the jury. After verifying the petition, the superior court would order the jury to convene within 60 days.

Regular county grand juries would examine certain facilities and public entities. Each term, the jury must inquire into county detention facilities and publicly funded or operated nursing and long-term care homes in the county. It must investigate at least one county department or public entity receiving county or municipal taxpayer funds. A jury may inspect facilities in person, review records, and interview staff or residents as needed. Residents and prisoners who fear reprisal must have a confidential way to contact the jury foreman. The facility inquiries and public-entity investigation apply during each regular county grand jury term.

Grand juries could investigate and report on a range of public and private conduct. The text directs an annual review of at least one financial institution holding state or county tax revenues. Other listed investigations apply to the subjects and allegations described in the chapter. The listed subjects include election and tax administration, businesses, professional licensing boards, financial institutions holding public funds, alleged war crimes by state employees abroad, and federal conduct in New Hampshire. The provisions describe investigations and possible reports or referrals; they do not by themselves ban the conduct being examined. The financial-institution review would happen annually. The other investigations have no separate schedule stated.

Grand jurors would receive a stated daily fee, and the state would pay juror fees and mileage. The $200 daily fee applies to grand jurors. The printed text sets a separate fee for petit jurors and provides mileage for qualifying travel. The bill would take effect January 1, 2027.