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Committee approves optional three‑year moderator terms for towns, 12‑6
Summary
HB1113 with amendment 0806H was advanced 12‑6 to allow towns to adopt three‑year terms for moderators or retain two‑year terms; debate focused on ballot wording, consistency across municipalities, and absence of evidence for alleged moderator misbehavior cited by the attorney general's office.
The committee voted to recommend House Bill 1113 with amendment 2026‑0806H, allowing towns to adopt three‑year terms for moderators (or retain two‑year terms) by local vote; the motion passed 12‑6.
Representative Murphy offered the amendment, which shifts statutory cross‑references and allows towns to place the question on the ballot to select the moderator term length. Members asked whether the ballot language and the specific mechanics for implementing two‑ versus three‑year terms were clearly specified in the amendment; Representative Gilman confirmed the bill text contains the election method.
Representative Davis noted that an attorney general's office witness in the hearing referenced moderators "misbehaving" but acknowledged the witness could not cite specific cases or evidence. Several members said they would have preferred a uniform three‑year term; others favored local choice. After debate, the committee approved the amendment and then voted 'ought to pass with amendment' 12‑6; the bill will be placed on the regular calendar and the majority report will be prepared.
