This bill amends the qualifications for holding the office of county commissioner by establishing a domicile requirement. Specifically, it requires that a person must be an inhabitant who resides actually and permanently in the county from which they are elected. The bill further specifies that for counties such as Rockingham, Belknap, Grafton, Merrimack, Hillsborough, Cheshire, Sullivan, Coos, and Carroll, a person must also be an inhabitant who resides actually and permanently in the specific district they represent. Additionally, the bill states that a commissioner will cease to represent their district immediately upon losing their qualification as an inhabitant.

The bill modifies existing legal language by replacing the term "must have a domicile in the county for which he" with "shall be, at the time of his or her election, an inhabitant who resides actually and permanently in the county from which he or she is chosen." It also introduces new language that clarifies the requirement for district representation and the consequences of losing qualification. The changes will not affect current commissioners in Strafford County and will be applicable for the election of commissioners at the 2026 state general election or for any vacancies prior to that election. The act will take effect upon its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 655:9
As Amended by the House: 655:9
Version adopted by both bodies: 655:9