Bill > HB514

This bill allows private individuals to sue the state for violations of RSA 659, which is a section of New Hampshire law governing election procedures. The bill will take effect on January 1, 2026, and could potentially increase civil litigation related to election law enforcement. While the bill does not specify explicit details of the lawsuit provisions, the fiscal note indicates that it would require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate alleged violations under stricter timelines, potentially necessitating additional staff. The DOJ anticipates significant fiscal implications, estimating costs between $500,000 to $1,000,000 per fiscal year, which would include expenses for new staff (such as an Assistant Attorney General and an Investigator General) and potential legal settlements. The bill could also increase civil court cases, though the exact number of such actions is indeterminable. The legislation aims to enhance accountability in election law enforcement by empowering private citizens to initiate legal actions against the state for perceived election law violations.

Government Affairs, Justice

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_status.aspx?lsr=0636&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB514