CACR 11 New Hampshire Senate · 2026 Regular Session

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

231
Passed
Total votes 24
Mar 26, 2026
D Democratic8
7 Yea 1 Nay
87% Yea
R Republican16
16 Yea
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