Judiciary Committee narrows remote public-record requests, advances several right-to-know bills

The House Judiciary Committee spent a large portion of its executive session on a package of bills that would change how members of the public request and access government records.

Representative Alexander led debate on House Bill 66, which would change the phrase “citizen” to “person” in the state’s right-to-know statutes and explicitly allow remote requests for records and electronic delivery in many cases. To limit remote requests from people with no tie to New Hampshire, the committee adopted amendment 2025-0110h. Under that amendment, a person who requests remote delivery must demonstrate a New Hampshire connection — for example, domicile, property ownership, New Hampshire tax status, a New Hampshire place of business, or registration to do business in New Hampshire — unless the requester is a member of the news media (as defined in RSA 91-A).

Representative Alexander explained the amendment’s contours: if a remote requester lacks the New Hampshire nexus they must instead inspect or collect records in person. He said the change would curb “pajama‑clad” mass requests from…