New Hampshire House of Representatives

New Hampshire House of Representatives
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Name	New Hampshire House of Representatives
Legislature	New Hampshire General Court
House type	Lower house
Body	New Hampshire General Court
Term limits	None
Foundation	1784
Leader1 type	Speaker
Leader1	Sherman Packard
Party1	(R)
Election1	December 2, 2020
Leader2 type	Speaker pro tempore
Leader2	Laurie Sanborn
Party2	(R)
Election2	December 2, 2020
Members	400
Political groups1	Majority (201), Republican (201), Minority (198), Democratic (197), Independent (1), Vacant (1)
Term length	2 years
Voting system	Plurality voting
Last election1	November 8, 2022
Next election1	November 5, 2024
Meeting place	House of Representatives Chamber, New Hampshire State House, Concord, New Hampshire
Website	http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/

New Hampshire House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the New Hampshire General Court, the state legislature of New Hampshire. With 400 members, it is the largest state legislative body in the United States and one of the largest representative assemblies in the English-speaking world. The House, along with the 24-member New Hampshire Senate, convenes in the historic New Hampshire State House in Concord, New Hampshire.

History

The House traces its origins to the colonial Province of New Hampshire assembly, with its modern form established by the New Hampshire Constitution of 1784. It played a pivotal role in early American politics, including hosting the final session of the Continental Congress in 1788. Throughout the 19th century, the body was central to debates over issues like abolitionism and industrialization. Its size was fixed at 400 members by a constitutional amendment in 1942, replacing a system based on direct taxation. Notable historical figures who served include Daniel Webster, Franklin Pierce, and John P. Hale.

Membership

Membership is constitutionally set at 400 representatives, each representing single-member or multi-member districts based on population. To serve, an individual must be at least 18 years old, a resident of New Hampshire for at least two years, and a resident of the district they seek to represent at the time of the election. Members receive an annual salary of $100, a tradition dating to 1889, making it the lowest-paid state legislature in the nation. The current session, following the 2022 New Hampshire House of Representatives election, features a narrow Republican majority led by Speaker Sherman Packard.

Leadership

The presiding officer is the Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, elected by the full House at the start of each two-year term. The Speaker appoints committee chairs and members and controls the flow of legislation. Other key officers include the Speaker pro tempore, the House Majority Leader, and the House Minority Leader. The Clerk of the New Hampshire House of Representatives is a permanent officer responsible for administrative functions. Current leadership includes Speaker Sherman Packard, Speaker pro tempore Laurie Sanborn, Majority Leader Jason Osborne, and Minority Leader Matthew Wilhelm.

Committees

The House operates through a system of standing committees where most legislative work, including hearings and markup, occurs. Major committees include Finance, Judiciary, and Ways and Means. The Executive Departments and Administration committee oversees state agencies. Committee assignments are highly influential, with chairs wielding significant power over which bills advance to the full chamber for a vote.

Powers and duties

The House shares legislative power with the New Hampshire Senate, including the authority to introduce bills, enact statutes, and approve the state budget. It holds the sole power to initiate revenue bills and articles of impeachment, with the New Hampshire Supreme Court trying such cases. The House also plays a role in constitutional amendments, which must pass by a three-fifths vote before going to voters. It confirms certain gubernatorial appointments, such as the Attorney General and Secretary of State.

Elections and districts

All 400 members are elected every two years in November elections, coinciding with the presidential and senatorial cycles. Districts are drawn by the New Hampshire General Court following each United States Census, with representation based on population. The state uses floterial districts to achieve mathematical equality. The New Hampshire Secretary of State oversees elections, and candidates file with the New Hampshire Department of State. Recent elections, like the 2020 and 2022 cycles, have resulted in closely divided chambers.

Category:New Hampshire House of Representatives Category:Lower houses of the United States