Priority Bills
Community Bridges, in partnership with CSNI and other Area Agency Legislative Liaisons, monitor legislation that could impact the lives and services of those connected to our organizations.
We are here to support your advocacy by keeping you informed of legislative activities, educating legislators, and offering guidance and support in your self-advocacy.
The 2026 Legislative session will be in full swing next week. January 8th will be the last day to introduce bills that will then be assigned to a committee.
Why Committees Matter
In New Hampshire, most decisions about proposed laws happen in legislative committees. After a bill is introduced in the New Hampshire General Court, it is assigned to a committee made up of legislators who focus on that topic area, such as health, education, or finance.
Committees review bills, hear public testimony, ask questions, and decide whether a bill should move forward, be amended, or stop altogether. Their recommendations strongly influence what the full House or Senate will ultimately vote on.
Why Your Participation Is Important
Committees rely on input from community members to understand how proposed legislation will affect people in real life. Hearing directly from individuals, families, providers, and advocates helps lawmakers:
- Understand real-world impact
- Identify unintended consequences
- Improve or strengthen proposed legislation
Lived experience is especially valuable—no legal or policy background is required.
How You Can Get Involved
You can participate in the legislative process by:
- Submitting written testimony on a bill
- Attending or speaking at a public hearing
- Contacting committee members to share your perspective
Your voice helps ensure that policy decisions reflect the needs, experiences, and priorities of our community.
The full public list of bills can be viewed here: https://gc.nh.gov/lsr_search/LSR_Results.aspx
Below are the bills Community Bridges is actively monitoring and prioritizing this legislative session.
Visit the Call to Action page for upcoming Hearings.
The Center for Nonprofits has created a guide to help in understanding Legislative Language and Acronyms.
Crossover of bills from one legislative body to the next:
Once a bill passes (OTP: Ought to Pass), the full body of its originating legislative body, it crosses over to the other legislative body to begin the process again. The bill is introduced, assigned to a committee, and will be open to another public hearing. Be sure to watch for updates, a bill can cross over before the deadline and begin the process in the next legislative body.
The deadline for crossover is usually in very early April.
2026 HOUSE DEADLINES
Second Year Session Deadlines
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Last day to introduce House Bills
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Last day to report House Bills going to a second committee
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Last day to act on House Bills going to a second committee
Thursday, March 5, 2026
Last day to report House Bills not in a second committee
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Last day to act on House Bills not in a second committee
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Last day to report all House Bills
Thursday, March 26, 2026 CROSSOVER
Last day to act on all House Bills
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Last day to report Senate Bills going to a second committee
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Last day to act on Senate Bills going to a second committee
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Last day to report all Senate Bills
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Last day to act on all Senate Bills
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Last day to form committee of conference
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Last day to sign committee of conference reports (4:00 p.m.)
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Last day to act on committee of conference reports
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
First day for incumbents running for re-election to file LSRs with complete information
Friday, September 11, 2026
Last day prior to the General Election for incumbents running for re-election to file LSRs with complete information
Friday, October 23, 2026
Last day to file 2026 Interim Study reports
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 First day for all Representatives to file LSRs with complete information
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Last day to file LSRs with complete information (4:00 p.m.)
Ten-day signoff begins
Tuesday, January 5, 2027
Last day to sign off on all LSRs (4:00 p.m.)
Friday, January 15, 2027
Last day to introduce House Bills
Last day to amend House Rules by majority vote
SENATE SCHEDULE
Thursday, January 01, 2026
New Year’s Day (State Holiday)
Wednesday, January 07, 2026
Convening Day
Monday, January 19, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr./Civil Rights Day (State Holiday)
Monday, February 16, 2026
President’s Day (State Holiday)
Monday, February 23, 2026 - Friday, February 27, 2026
SENATE BREAK
Thursday, March 05, 2026
Deadline for Policy Committees to ACT on all Senate bills with a fiscal impact, except bills exempted pursuant to Senate Rule 4-5.
Thursday, March 26, 2026 CROSSOVER
Deadline to ACT on all Senate bills.
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Deadline for Policy Committees to ACT on all House bills with a fiscal impact, except bills exempted pursuant to Senate Rule 4-5.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Deadline to ACT on all House bills.
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Deadline to FORM Committees of Conference.
Monday, May 25, 2026
Memorial Day (State Holiday)
Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.
Deadline to SIGN Committee of Conference Reports.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
Deadline to ACT on Committee of Conference Reports.
Friday, July 03, 2026
Independence Day (Observed) (State Holiday)
Monday, September 07, 2026
Labor Day (State Holiday)
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Veterans’ Day (State Holiday)
Thursday, November 26, 2026
Thanksgiving Day (State Holiday)
Friday, November 27, 2026
Day after Thanksgiving (State Holiday)
Friday, December 25, 2026
Christmas Day (State Holiday)
