Legislative Updates by Rep. Maureen Mooney for August, 2026

Some important dates are just around the corner:

-Veto Day: August 19, 2026

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-House bill filing period for incumbents: September 1 – 11, 2026

-State Primary Day: Tuesday, September 8, 2026

-General Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

-House bill filing period for all elected: November 4 – 18, 2026

-House Organization Day for the new legislature: December 2, 2026

"Veto Day" is scheduled on August 19, 2026 for House and Senate members to vote on the Governor's recent vetoes. The Governor has authority to veto bills per the NH Constitution, Part II, Article 44.

Two-thirds of each legislative body is required to overturn a veto in New Hampshire.

To date, the Governor has vetoed twenty-one bills. Each veto comes with a brief "Governor's Veto Message" explaining her rationale. See veto messages here.

Here are some vetoed bills to be voted on during the August 19, 2026 session:

-HB 232-FN (AN ACT relative to the rights of conscience for medical professionals). This bill would require health care institutions that perform abortions to provide employees with written notification of their right to request exemption based on religious belief or moral conviction. Status: VETOED. The Governor explains in her Veto Message that federal law already protects the religious beliefs or moral convictions of medical professionals to decline performing an abortion.

-HB 1097 (AN ACT requiring legislative approval of the amendment or permanent removal of historical markers). This bill requires the joint legislative historical committee to approve amending or permanently removing a historical marker. Status: VETOED. The Governor explains in her Veto Message that the bill violates the NH Constitution's separation of powers.

-HB 1102-FN (AN ACT increasing the research and development tax credit cap and relative to state park fees for state residents). This bill caps fees to state parks for New Hampshire residents at no more than 50% of the fees charged to nonresidents. Status: VETOED. The Governor explains in her Veto Message that there would be a detrimental impact regarding this park fee change proposal.

-HB 1267 (AN ACT prohibiting school district attorneys and non-school personnel from questioning students without their parent or guardian present). This bill requires school boards to develop a policy to prevent the questioning of minors by non-school employees without prior written permission of parents or guardians. Status: VETOED. The Governor explains in her Veto Message that such policies could impede criminal investigations and negatively impact public safety.

-HB 2026 (AN ACT relative to the state 10-year transportation improvement plan; relative to toll rate adjustments and period toll reviews for the New Hampshire turnpike system to support the 2027-2036 ten-year transportation plan; and relative to reconstruction of the Gregg Mill Road Bridge in the town of New Boston). This bill increases toll rates in Hooksett, Bedford, Hampton, Dover, and Rochester effective January 1, 2027. Status: VETOED. The Governor explains in her Veto Message that (like in SB 627-FN) she will NOT endorse toll hikes.

Around Town

A special "thank you" to the Merrimack Police Department for hosting another great "National Night Out" on August 4, 2026. It's always enjoyable to visit with neighbors and vendor tables.

Here's wishing our students, teachers, administrators, staff and bus drivers a GREAT start to the school year on September 2, 2026.

See you around town!

Rep. Maureen Mooney is in her sixth term as a NH State Representative serving Merrimack. Her website is: www.votemooney.com and Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/maureenmooneynh.