New Hampshire 2026 Session Status: Enacted 7 R cosponsors

SB 585 — relative to audits for communications districts.

Last action — Signed by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 271; Effective 08/31/2026

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced November 25, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte (Republican) on July 09, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

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Prognosis

Likely to advance 62% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 8 sponsors

    1 primary, 7 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (7 R).

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

This bill concerns audits for communications districts.

The bill establishes regulations related to conducting audits for communications districts. It outlines procedures to ensure transparency and accountability.

Summary

relative to audits for communications districts.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

26 added · 45 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent changes to SB 585 clarify the audit requirements for communications districts. Specifically, the bill now specifies that the department of revenue can waive the independent audit if the district's annual revenue or expenses are below $50,000, provided certain conditions are met. This matters because it reduces the financial burden on smaller districts, allowing them to focus their resources more effectively while still maintaining accountability through audits.

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SB 585-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 14May2026...
CHAPTER 271 SB 585-FN - FINAL VERSION 14May2026...
SB 585-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 14May2026...
CHAPTER 271 SB 585-FN - FINAL VERSION 14May2026...
1 Communications Districts;
271:1 Communications Districts;
The department of revenue administration shall waive the requirement of an independent audit for any fiscal year upon petition by the governing board demonstrating that either the district's annual revenue or expenses during the previous year was less than $50,000 and the district agreement provides that the district is not a tax authority and prohibits the district from raising revenue from any member municipality except through voluntary contribution by such member or pursuant to contractual agreement with such member.
The department of revenue administration shall waive the requirement of an independent audit for any fiscal year upon petition by the governing board demonstrating that either the district's annual revenue or expenses during the previous year were less than $50,000 and the district agreement provides that the district is not a tax authority and prohibits the district from raising revenue from any member municipality except through voluntary contribution by such member or pursuant to contractual agreement with such member.
2 Effective Date.
271:2 Effective Date.
LBA 26-2067 5/18/26 SB 585-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2026-1769h) AN ACT relative to audits for communications districts.
Approved:
FISCAL IMPACT:
July 02, 2026 Effective Date:
Estimated Political Subdivision Impact FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 Local Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0 Local Expenditures $0 Possible Indeterminable Decrease METHODOLOGY:
August 31, 2026
This bill requires the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) to waive the independent audit requirement for any communication district whose governing board petitions DRA to do so and demonstrates that either the previous year’s revenue was less than $50,000 and it is not a taxing authority and cannot raise revenue from any member municipality except voluntarily or by contractual agreement.
The Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) states that there would be no additional administrative costs that could not be absorbed in its current operating budget.
There is a possible decrease in local expenditures due to savings by not having to do the audits that get waived.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Revenue Administration and New Hampshire Municipal Association
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Action History

  1. Signed by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 271; Effective 08/31/2026

  2. Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15

  3. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14

  4. Sen. Gray Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13

  5. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1769h: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 26

  6. Amendment # 2026-1769h: AA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 26

  7. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1769h 05/05/2026 (Vote 20-0; CC) HC 19 P. 15

  8. Executive Session: 05/05/2026 10:30 am GP 154

  9. Public Hearing: 04/07/2026 11:50 am GP 154

  10. Introduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 5 P. 127

  11. Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4

  12. Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 02/19/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 6

  13. Hearing: 01/27/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 10:00 am; SC 3

  14. Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 1

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 7 co-sponsors · 407 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (7)

Not signed on (407)

407 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 407 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety technology
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 585 do?
relative to audits for communications districts.
Who sponsors SB 585?
SB 585 is sponsored by Tim McGough (Republican), Mark McConkey (Republican), Keith Murphy (Republican), Howard Pearl (Republican), John T MacDonald, Daniel Innis (Republican), Regina Birdsell (Republican), and Sharon Carson (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 585?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced November 25, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 585?
Track SB 585 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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