We wanted to update you on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the NH General Court. All legislative activities have been suspended through April 10. This means that the State House will be closed to legislators, staff and visitors.
On March 12, both the House and Senate amended their rules to allow them to delay deadlines. Here is the amendment:
(b) In an effort to thwart the spread of COVID-19, after concurrence from the Democratic and Republican leadership, and public officials about best practices concerning the safety of Representatives, staff, and the public, the deadlines may be reasonably amended at the discretion of the Speaker of the House, to be timely noticed in the House Calendar and on the General Court website.
The House deadlines that will be impacted are the following:
Thursday, March 19, 2020 Last day to report all House Bills
Thursday, March 26, 2020 CROSSOVER – Last day to act on all House Bills
Thursday, April 16, 2020 Last day to report Senate Bills going to a second committee
Thursday, April 23, 2020 Last day to act on Senate Bills going to a second committee
Thursday, May 7, 2020 Last day to report all Senate Bills
Thursday, May 14, 2020 Last day to act on all Senate Bills
Thursday, May 21, 2020 Last day to form committee of conference
Thursday, May 28, 2020 Last day to sign committee of conference reports (4:00 p.m.)
Thursday, June 4, 2020 Last day to act on committee of conference reports
The Senate deadlines that will be impacted are the following:
Thursday, March 26, 2020 CROSSOVER – Deadline to ACT on all Senate bills.
Thursday, April 30, 2020 Deadline for Policy Committees to ACT on all House bills with a fiscal impact, except bills exempted pursuant to Senate Rule 4-5.
Thursday, May 14, 2020 Deadline to ACT on all House bills.
Thursday, May 21, 2020 Deadline to FORM Committees of Conference.
Thursday, May 28, 2020 Deadline to SIGN Committee of Conference Reports.
Thursday, June 04, 2020 Deadline to ACT on Committee of Conference Reports.
We will continue to update you on any additional delays, but as of right now it is likely that the Legislature will continue its activities into the summer to make up for this lost time.
While the statehouse is closed we continue to call legislators at home to discuss priority bills and bills of interest.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.