creating an independent commission to propose redistricting maps for the legislature to consider.
HB 1487 creates an independent commission to draw New Hampshire's legislative and congressional district maps after each federal census, starting in 2031. The commission must hold public hearings, follow specific non-partisan criteria for drawing district lines, and operate with transparency to limit partisan gerrymandering (where districts are drawn to favor one political party). It directly affects how state legislative districts for representatives, senators, executive councilors, and U.S. congressional seats are redrawn, replacing the current process where legislators draw their own maps. The commission requires balanced political representation (20 Republicans, 20 Democrats, 20 undeclared voters) and excludes current or recent elected officials from serving.
Bill status
failed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Jan 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Dec 5, 2025
Last action Feb 5, 2026
Floor votes · House Feb 5, 2026
How they voted
98–102
Passed · 23 other
Total votes 223
Feb 5, 2026
D
Democratic107
94% Nay
I
Independent2
50% Yea
R
Republican114
83% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
7
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Feb 5, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (98-102-23)
house
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Committee
Majority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/27/2026 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 5 P. 22
lower
Dec 5, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law HJ 1 P. 22
lower
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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