establishing a committee to study the procedure for judicial performance evaluations.
What changed between versions
The entire detailed judicial performance evaluation program was removed, including: mandatory evaluation every 3 years, questionnaires from attorneys/parties/jurors, in-court observations by retired judges, self-evaluation forms, public publication of individual evaluation reports, and automatic disciplinary action after two consecutive unsatisfactory evaluations.
A three-member study committee was created (two House members appointed by the Speaker, one Senate member appointed by the President of the Senate) to study judicial performance evaluation procedures.
The estimated $80,000 to $180,000 annual state expenditure for the evaluation program (including hiring a full-time administrative staff member and per diem judges for observations) was eliminated. The Senate version has no fiscal impact.
The committee must review what other states do, obtain input from New Hampshire judges on the current system, and evaluate the benefits versus potential consequences of the House-passed version of the bill, including its effect on accountability and transparency.
The committee must hold its first meeting within 45 days of the effective date and submit its findings and recommendations to legislative leaders, the governor, and the state library by November 1, 2026.
The effective date changed from January 1, 2027 (House version) to immediately upon passage (Senate version).
