relating to sheriffs. Providing that there shall be no age limitation for a person to hold the office of county sheriff.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to raise the maximum age for serving as a county sheriff in New Hampshire from 70 to 75 years. It directly affects current and future county sheriffs, who would no longer be eligible to hold office after turning 75. The amendment would replace the existing age limit in Article 78 of the state constitution, requiring voter approval in the November 2026 general election. If approved by two-thirds of voters, it would take effect upon the governor's proclamation. The change applies only to the sheriff position, leaving other judicial age limits unchanged.
Bill status
passed both
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Governor
Introduced Nov 21, 2025
Last action Apr 23, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
As Amended by the Senate
·
3 edits
MINOR
The Senate amendment significantly expanded the bill's effect: instead of raising the mandatory retirement age for sheriffs from 70 to 75, it now eliminates any age limit for sheriffs entirely. This means sheriffs could serve indefinitely regardless of age, while judges remain subject to a mandatory retirement at 70.
Scope change
Expanded from raising the sheriff retirement age cap to 75 to eliminating any age cap for sheriffs entirely, allowing them to serve indefinitely.
ELIGIBILITY
The bill changed from setting a maximum age of 75 for sheriffs to removing all age restrictions on the office of sheriff entirely.
SCOPE
Sheriffs are completely removed from Article 78's age disqualification provision, which now applies only to judges and judges of probate (age 70).
DEFINITION
The constitutional article title changed from 'Judges and Sheriffs, When Disqualified by Age' to simply 'Judges, When Disqualified by Age,' reflecting that sheriffs are no longer covered.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 26, 2026 · House Apr 23, 2026
How they voted
23–1
Passed
Total votes 24
Mar 26, 2026
D
Democratic8
87% Yea
R
Republican16
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
13
Key actions
8
Committee
6
Apr 23, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (94-106-23)
house
Apr 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass: MF RC 199-157 Lacking Necessary Three-Fifths Vote 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 25
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 04/08/2026 (Vote 7-5; RC)
lower
Mar 27, 2026
Introduced
Introduced (in recess of) 03/26/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 9 P. 54
lower
Mar 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendments #2026-1219s, RC 23Y-1N, by necessary 3/5, MA; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment # 2026-1219s, AA, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (23-1)
senate
Mar 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1219s, 03/26/2026, Vote 4-0; SC 11
upper
Nov 21, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 1
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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