Bill > HB78

This bill modifies the residency requirements for county commissioners in New Hampshire, specifically requiring that a person seeking to serve as a county commissioner must actually and permanently reside in both the county and the specific district they wish to represent at the time of their election. The bill changes existing law to clarify that commissioners must be "inhabitants" who live permanently in their district, and they will immediately lose their ability to represent that district if they no longer meet these residency qualifications. Notably, the changes specifically apply to Strafford County and will take effect for the 2026 state general election, meaning current commissioners are not impacted by this new requirement. The bill uses precise language around domicile and residency, emphasizing that commissioners must not just own property or have a mailing address in their district, but must actually and permanently live there. The law aims to ensure that county commissioners have a genuine, ongoing connection to the specific geographic area they represent, potentially increasing local accountability and representation.

Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=0098&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB78