First Year of
the 161st General Court
Calendar and
Journal of the 2009 Session
Contains: Reports and Amendments for February 12, Hearings, Meetings, Notices and House Emergency Notification System
HOUSE CALENDAR
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE:
The House will meet in Joint Session, with the Senate at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 12th for the Governor’s budget address. The Joint Session will be followed by a House Session before we reconvene in Joint Session for a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of President Lincoln.
The House will also meet on Wednesday, February 18th and on Wednesdays throughout March.
In order to conserve in-state travel funds, it would be helpful
if members would limit the number of times they come to
Terie Norelli, Speaker
NOTICE
There will be a meeting of committee Chairmen and Vice Chairmen on Tuesday, February 10, at 8:30 a.m. in Rooms 301-303, LOB.
Terie Norelli Speaker
NOTICE
There will be a Democratic Caucus on Thursday, February 12 at 9:00 a.m. in Representatives Hall.
Rep. Mary Jane Wallner, Majority Leader
NOTICE
There will be a Republican Caucus on Thursday, February 12 at 8:45 a.m. in Rooms 305-307, LOB.
Rep.
Sherman A. Packard, Republican Leader
NOTICE
Immediately following the State
House ceremonies celebrating the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial on February 12, legislators, staff and guests are invited to the New Hampshire
Historical Society's library at
Reps. Janet Wall and David A.
Welch
NOTICE
House Continuing Education
TOPIC: Introduction of Continuing Education 2009
COORDINATORS: Representative David Welch
Representative
Judith Day
DATE: Wednesday, February 11, 2009
TIME: 12:00 ~ 1:30 p.m.
PLACE: LOB Room 206
_______________________________________________________________________
Committee Process: How can I be an effective committee member?
Get tips on writing a blurb.
Understand the
process of evaluating and amending bills in committees.
Learn the ropes on chairing a subcommittee.
NOTICE
The Calendar closes at
3:00 p.m. on Wednesdays for scheduling and notices. It
closes at 1:00 p.m. on Thursdays for Committee Reports. Members and staff who need to schedule
meetings should make arrangements with the Clerk’s Office for room
availability/assignment and publication of meeting notices.
Karen O. Wadsworth, Clerk of the House
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12
CONSENT CALENDAR
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
HB 32, relative to insurance for parking
lots used to store vehicles owned by charitable organizations. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. Susi
Nord for Commerce and Consumer Affairs:
This bill was well intended, but ultimately was not an insurance
bill. Current insurance law is
sufficient to make sure vehicles belonging to charitable organizations are
covered simply by providing the lot owner with a certificate of insurance. Protection for the lot owner isn't an
insurance issue, and could be addressed elsewhere. Vote 20-0.
HB 57, limiting charges against estates for
assessing the value of insurance policies and annuities. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. Joel F
Winters for Commerce and Consumer Affairs: This bill tries to protect estates
from being charged frivolous fees. It
prohibits third party assessors of whole life insurance policies and annuities
from charging the estate for their services. Overcharging is uncommon,
and does not seem to justify a blanket prohibition on legitimate third party
assessing charges. Some policies have values that are different from
their face value and they require these specialized third party assessments. Vote 20-0.
HB 59-L, requiring employers of employees with
service dogs to place signs prohibiting animals other than service dogs. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. Jill
Shaffer Hammond for Commerce and Consumer Affairs: This bill would have required employers of
personnel with service animals to post a warning sign at the entrance to the
workplace, and would have levied a fine for non-compliance. While
well-intentioned, to protect employees with service animals from unwanted
interference from the public, this bill would have placed undue responsibility
on an employer. The real need is educating the public about proper interaction
with service animals and their owners.
Vote 20-0.
HB 67, relative to the return of replaced
parts by a motor vehicle facility. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. Edward A
Butler for Commerce and Consumer Affairs:
This bill would have made it mandatory for an auto repair shop to return
to the customer parts replaced because of work that has been done, unless the
customer has said, in writing, that he or she doesn't want them. The committee noted that it is already in
statute that a repair shop is required to return those parts, when
requested. It was felt that this bill
was not necessary. Vote 20-0.
HB 144, relative to title insurance. OUGHT TO PASS.
Rep. Stephen
T DeStefano for Commerce and Consumer Affairs:
This bill makes two changes: In
Section 1 of the bill RSA 416-A:8 currently prohibits title insurance companies
from receiving remuneration in any form
from the referral of title insurance business.
The bill now adds title insurance agents to this prohibition as well. Section 2 will now require part-time as well
as full time title insurance agents to be licensed. Vote 19-0.
HB 264, relative to the use of
Rep. Stephen
T DeStefano for Commerce and Consumer Affairs:
Existing law requires that state agencies contracting with the private
sector for the use of film or video in an advertising, promotional or
educational program shall use
HB 270, relative to sale of human remains. OUGHT TO PASS.
Rep. Susi
Nord for Commerce and Consumer Affairs:
This bill closes a loophole in
HB 277-FN, relative to the minimum age for
purchasing, possessing, or using tobacco products. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. Edward A
Butler for Commerce and Consumer Affairs:
This bill would raise the legal minimum age for buying or using
cigarettes and other tobacco products to 21.
It is clear that there are significant negative health effects of tobacco
use. However, it is a legal substance
and the majority of the committee did not agree that a rise in the minimum
legal age was warranted. When an 18 year
old can vote and defend our country, among other rights and responsibilities,
the committee did not feel it would be right to take away the decision of
whether or not to use tobacco products.
Vote 19-1.
ELECTION LAW
HB 35, eliminating the office of
vice-president from the presidential primary ballot. OUGHT TO PASS.
Rep. Richard
B Drisko for Election Law: The intent of
this bill was to eliminate the placing of candidates for vice president on the
ballot. As the vice president is chosen
by the presidential candidate, the practice is archaic. In addition, it contributes confusion to the
voting process and generates needless write-ins that must be counted at the end
of the day. Vote 19-0.
HB 105, relative to voting machines for the
counting of ballots. OUGHT TO PASS
WITH AMENDMENT.
Rep. Timothy
P Comerford for Election Law: The
committee finds that the original intent of this bill, using open source
software in vote counting machines, is not currently feasible. However, notwithstanding the availability of
said software, there is merit to the bill as it clears up language in state
statutes relative to vote casting devices.
The state does not use vote casting devices or lever voting
machines. The bill simply removes
reference to these devices and puts the RSA in line with current practice. Vote 19-0.
HB 153, relative to processing of absentee
ballots. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. June M
Caron for Election Law: This bill has
two parts. First, it would require 10%
of the registered voters on the checklist to have the moderator postpone the
processing of absentee ballots. With 10%
of registered voters needed to postpone, (for example: in a ward that has over 4,000 registered
voters, you would now need 400 voters), there would be no meaningful
opportunity to request a postponement.
The second part of the bill would allow a moderator to open the absentee
ballots at any time prior to 1:00 p.m.
However, if the law allows the moderator to make the decision to open
absentee ballots prior to 1:00 p.m., then in city/towns that have more than one
voting place, moderators would be opening absentee ballots at anytime during
election hours. This would not allow for
those who might challenge absentee ballots to know the exact time to be at that
particular polling place. This, too,
would mean there would be no meaningful opportunity to challenge an absentee
ballot. We have laws now that provide
for reasonable limitations on ballot challenges, as well as a reasonable start
time for moderators to process absentee ballots. There is no demonstrated need to change them. Vote 18-1.
HB 267, relative to the definition of "election." OUGHT TO PASS.
Rep. Melanie
A Levesque for Election Law: This is a
housekeeping bill that clarifies the term "election" to mean only
general biennial election, political party primary or presidential preference
primary. Vote 18-0.
HB 292, relative to financial disclosures,
lobbyist registrations and statements, prohibited gifts, executive branch
volunteers, reports of political advertising, and permissible campaign
contributions by business organizations and labor unions. OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT.
Rep. James R
Splaine for Election Law: This bill, as
amended, clarifies the rights of members of the public to be able to testify at
public hearings, offer their thoughts and opinions to state government and
volunteer in certain activities of state government without having to register
as a lobbyist or file disclosure statements, provided no conflict of interest
exists. A filing official is to be
designated by the office of secretary of state to assist those who are required
to file disclosure forms with questions they have and to ensure disclosure
forms are property filed. It also
provides for quarterly reports instead of monthly reports by lobbyists so that
the filing process will be more streamlined for those who review the reports. Vote 16-1.
HB 323, changing the name of the ballot law
commission to the elections and ballot law commission, increasing the
membership of the commission, and requiring the commission to propose
redistricting plans. INEXPEDIENT TO
LEGISLATE.
Rep. Richard
B Drisko for Election Law: The intent of
this legislation is to establish an independent ballot law commission to
accomplish the decennial redistricting of the state of
HB 340, relative to polling places. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. Dino A
Scala for Election Law: This bill would
require all polling places in towns and/or wards to be of sufficient size and
layout that persons waiting in line to register would not be required to wait
outside. This would cause selectmen and
moderators to search for additional areas to meet that conform with these
requirements. In some areas, this might
not be possible. The committee feels the
town moderators and selectmen are already using facilities that work best for
voting in their town and/or wards.
Vote 17-1.
HB 387, relative to observation of voter
registration. OUGHT TO PASS.
Rep. Kathleen
M Hoelzel for Election Law: This refers
to same day voter registrations only.
The application form to register to vote contains private information
under RSA 91-A. The voters’ right to
privacy is of utmost importance. This
bill allows “challengers” to observe the process of voter registration but does
not allow viewing or access to the information on the application form. Vote 18-0.
HB 432-FN, relative to penalties for telephone
harassment involving a number used to facilitate transportation of voters or
otherwise to support voting or registering to vote. OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT.
Rep. Robert J
Perry for Election Law: The purpose of
this bill is to recognize the subject conduct as criminal and provide an
appropriate penalty therefor. The vote
in committee reflected non-partisan support for addressing the need to
discourage the conduct by either party. Vote 15-0.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND
ADMINISTRATION
HB 40, requiring sanctions against hospitals
for failing to report infection rates. OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT.
Rep. Carol M
McGuire for Executive Departments and Administration: This bill provides an administrative
enforcement mechanism for reporting hospital-acquired infection rates, which
was missing from 2006’s HB 1741, Chapter 292 which established this
requirement. The amendment adds the
opportunity for a hearing rather than the requirement for a hearing. Vote 18-1.
HB 129, establishing a committee to study the
incorporation of electronic filing procedures under the administrative procedures
act. OUGHT TO PASS.
Rep. Maurice
L Pilotte for Executive Departments and Administration: This bill, addressing rulemaking issues, was
filed at the request of the joint legislative committee on administrative rules
(JLCAR). The bill would establish a
committee to identify the feasibility and advisability of making changes to the
administrative procedures act in four distinct areas: (1) allowing incorporation by reference of
internet based documents for agency rules, (2) allowing automatic updating of
documents without additional rulemaking, (3) allowing the establishment of
electronic filing procedures for agency rules, (4) identifying issues
concerning electronic filing by agencies of rules and notices with the office
of legislative services. The goal of
this study would be paper reduction consistent with RSA 294-E, the uniform
transactions act. Vote 18-0.
HB 168, relative to disposition of
electricians' fees. OUGHT TO PASS
WITH AMENDMENT.
Rep. Russell
C Day for Executive Departments and Administration: This bill, as amended,
simplifies the processing of revenues generated by the electricians’
board. Under the new process, revenues
generated from fees collected by the board will be deposited into the general
fund and the operating expenses of the board will be funded through the board’s
budget. Any excess funds will remain in
the general fund. This will bring the
fee collection and funding for the electricians’ board into line with other
occupational regulatory boards. Vote
18-1.
HB 172, allowing naturopathic doctors to
dispense prescription drugs. OUGHT TO
PASS WITH AMENDMENT.
Rep. Maurice
L Pilotte for Executive Departments and Administration: This bill adds naturopathic doctors to the
list of practitioners who come under the oversight of the board of
pharmacy. Naturopathic doctors may
dispense only those prescription drugs which are specifically permitted in
their scope of practice (RSA 328-E:4).
This bill does not extend their prescribing authority nor does it change
the statute which emphasizes that, “doctors of naturopathic medicine shall not
: (a) prescribe, dispense, or administer any legend or controlled substances as
defined in RSA 318 and 318-B, except those natural medicines as authorized by
this chapter” (RSA 328-E:4, IV). The amendment
clarifies the purpose of the bill and changes “controlled drugs” to
“prescription drugs” for consistency with the current statute. Vote 19-0.
HB 190-FN, relative to fees for dental
hygienists. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. Donald F
Ryder for Executive Departments and Administration: This bill appears to be an attempt to bring
the dental hygienists into a professional assistance program by the board of
dental examiners without the consent of the hygienists. The committee felt this to be “taxation
without representation”. Vote 17-0.
HB
282-FN-A, relative to
compensation for the medical/vision advisory board and making an appropriation
therefor. OUGHT TO PASS WITH
AMENDMENT.
Rep. Donald F
Ryder for Executive Departments and Administration: This bill establishes a per
diem for members of an existing medical/vision advisory board within the
division of motor vehicles. The board
shall meet as required. An appropriation
of $1 will be made with the remaining compensation to be found within the
division’s budget. Vote 17-2.
FINANCE
HB 365, relative to the state loan repayment
program for health professionals. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. Thomas L
Buco for Finance: The state loan
re-payment program for health professionals is a program to attract health care
professionals to the rural areas of
HB
444-FN-A, relative to
reproducing the 1792
Rep. Sandra C
Harris for Finance: The committee
endorses the preservation of our historical documents and applauds the idea of
selling copies in the state store.
However, the committee felt the appropriation of $15,000 for these goals
would be better accomplished through applying to historical preservation groups
for a grant or listed in the budget of the historical division of the
department of cultural affairs. Vote
22-0.
HB 508, relative to the county-state finance
commission. OUGHT TO PASS WITH
AMENDMENT.
Rep. Larry A
Emerton for Finance: This bill adds
three members of the legislature, two of whom shall be members of the House and
one a member of the Senate. It also adds
the oversight of long-term care reimbursement between the state and county. Vote 20-0.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND
ELDERLY AFFAIRS
HB 69, relative to submission of health care
data. OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT.
Rep. Robert G
Bridgham for Health, Human Services and
Elderly Affairs: This bill, as amended,
permits the department of health and human services to reflect the costs of
collecting, consolidating, and maintaining three important data sets in the
fees charged to other users for providing them with data from the data
sets. The three sets of data – hospital
discharge data, health care claims data, and the state cancer registry – are
both a significant expense to the state and a valuable guide for state health
care policy. The data have significant
value to other users, and the bill provides means for these users to share in
the costs of their collection and maintenance.
Vote 19-0.
HB 234, establishing a committee to study the
certificate of need process. OUGHT TO
PASS WITH AMENDMENT.
Rep. Joan H
Schulze for Health, Human Services and
Elderly Affairs: This bill was submitted
after a study in 2008 recommended legislation to create an expedited process
for certification of need (CON) review for certain projects. It has been a long time since the CON process
was examined, and the process as a whole is due for review by the legislature
to ensure it is serving the needs of the people of
HB 318, relative to the "Nursing Home
Residents Bill of Rights." INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. Kate W
Miller for Health, Human Services and
Elderly Affairs: This bill seeks to add
a family council provision to the Patients’ Bill of Rights (RSA 151:21). While the committee is sympathetic to
insuring that nursing home residents and their family members have access to
problem solving methods and adequate voice in their plan of care and standard
of living, the committee received testimony from county and private nursing
home administrators, representatives of the state’s private and county nursing
homes and a nursing home resident who assured us these mechanisms are already
in place. It seems to the committee that
resident councils, family councils and the state’s ombudsman system currently
work effectively to protect and enhance the rights of nursing home residents. Vote 16-0.
LOCAL AND REGULATED REVENUES
HB 97, relative to the lottery commission's
ability to make rules concerning the Multi-State Lottery Association. OUGHT TO PASS.
Rep. Eric G Stohl for Local and Regulated Revenues: This bill simply allows the lottery commission to make rules in order for them to regulate games that are administered by the Multi-State Lottery Association. These rules apply to, but are not limited to , how prizes are claimed and how tickets are validated. This bill provides clarity to the issue that is being carried out now. Vote 16-0.
MUNICIPAL AND
HB 71, relative to
increasing the dollar limit for requiring public hearings on issuance of local
bonds. INEXPEDIENT
TO LEGISLATE.
Rep.
Margaret M Crisler for Municipal and
HB 72, relative to requesting a secret
ballot at a town meeting. INEXPEDIENT
TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. Amy
Stasia Perkins for Municipal and County Government: Although it has been some time since this
statute has been amended or altered, the committee felt it was important to
preserve the original intent: to provide individuals the opportunity to cast a
secret ballot on any individual issue without fear of intimidation. Increasing
the number of voters required to request a secret ballot would be counter to
the intent of the original statute.
Vote 18-0.
HB 92, requiring municipalities to establish
volunteer civilian police review boards. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. Suzanne
S Laliberte for Municipal and
HB 94, establishing a commission to study
workforce housing issues. INEXPEDIENT
TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. Jessie L
Osborne for Municipal and
HB 210, relative to public access to minutes
of local land use boards. OUGHT TO
PASS.
Rep. Raymond
G Gagnon for Municipal and
HB 239-L, relative to establishing a municipal
bond rescission process. OUGHT TO
PASS WITH AMENDMENT.
Rep. Suzanne
S Laliberte for Municipal and
PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS
HB 403, clarifying the intent of a transfer
of general funds to the highway fund. OUGHT TO PASS.
Rep. David B
Campbell for Public Works and Highways:
This bill clarifies any and all monies used as federal match money for
the purchase and 3 year operation of buses on the I-93 corridor are general
(not highway trust) funds. This avoids
any possible issues, or precedents regarding violation of Part II Article 6-a
of the N.H. Constitution. The mass
transit for I-93 was a condition of the EPA permit for the I-93 widening. Vote 19-0.
HB 460, relative to the system of visitor
centers. OUGHT TO PASS WITH
AMENDMENT.
Rep. Gene G
Chandler for Public Works and Highways:
This bill as amended continues a study committee dealing with the
visitor’s system network and the administration of those centers. The department of resources and economic
development (DRED) is the agency that deals with tourism and these visitor
centers need to be administered by the agency that is best equipped to deal
with visitors and residents in
RESOURCES, RECREATION AND
DEVELOPMENT
HB 45, relative to the water supply land
conservation program. OUGHT TO PASS.
Rep. Susan R
Kepner for Resources, Recreation and Development: This bill expands the eligibility for water
supply land conservation grants to include important future sources of public
water supplies. It does not provide more
state money for the program, but opens the door to protecting water resources
which are likely to be used by municipalities.
It also allows municipalities to avail themselves of the services of
nonprofit land trust organizations in applying for the funds, negotiating with
landowners and holding easements.
Vote 17-0.
HB 58, designating segments of the
Rep. Frank A
Tupper for Resources, Recreation and Development: This bill adds portions of the
HB 102, relative to the rivers management
programs and the rivers coordinator. OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT.
Rep. Suzanne
H Gottling for Resources, Recreation and Development: This bill makes clearer several aspects of
the rivers management and protection program including giving highest priority
to maintenance of water quality standards, the option of broadening river
nomination considerations to include tributaries, allowing members of the
advisory committee to include members from tributary towns and requiring a
biennial report to the general court on program funding and
implementation. The amendment adds
‘public safety’ and ‘public water supply’ elements to river nominations. Vote 18-0.
HB 130, relative to enforceability of
publicly-owned land restrictions. OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT.
Rep. James D
Aguiar for Resources, Recreation and Development: Occasionally, a property may have
restrictions imposed upon it as a result of agreements with the state or
municipality made when the land is being developed, or to resolve disputes with
abutters, or to limit use of contaminated land.
The question has arisen whether these restrictions can be enforceable
against subsequent owners of the property.
This bill clears up this uncertainty.
Vote 18-0.
TRANSPORTATION
HB 54, requiring vehicle impoundment for
driving after revocation or suspension. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. Michael
B O'Brien for Transportation: The
committee felt this bill, although well intentioned, places a potential
hardship on the owner of the vehicle when an operator uses the vehicle when the
operator is under revocation or suspension.
The penalty here should be on the operator and not on the vehicle. Vote 17-1.
HB 68, relative to commercial driver
licenses when the license holder fails a drug or alcohol test. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. C.
Pennington Brown for Transportation: While the intent is laudable there are
problems with HB 68. These include
duplication with federal regulations, need for increased staffing to meet
reporting requirements and out-of-state judicial appeals. Vote 19-0.
HB 76, establishing a permanent commission
to study recommendations of the National Transportation Safety Board. OUGHT TO PASS.
Rep. Jennifer
M Brown for Transportation: When the
federal government wants changes made they send a list of recommendations to
the department of safety. This bill will
give the department of safety a place to bring those recommendations for
vetting before a bill is submitted
Vote 18-1.
HB 95, relative to motorcycle equipment and
noise levels. INEXPEDIENT TO
LEGISLATE.
Rep. Paul H
Ingersoll for Transportation: This bill
would create an economic hardship on motorcycle riders and also on the State of
HB 99, relative to supervised driving time
by persons completing driver education. OUGHT TO PASS.
Rep. Karen C
Umberger for Transportation: The
committee heard testimony that extended driving time and the addition of 10
hours of night driving would improve the skills of new drivers. This bill was supported by the department of
safety and AAA Northern New England.
Vote 19-0.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12
REGULAR CALENDAR
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
HB
119, establishing a
commission to consider the feasibility of adopting the Atlantic Daylight
Savings Plan. MAJORITY: INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE. MINORITY:
OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT.
Rep. John B
Hunt for the Majority of Commerce
and Consumer Affairs: Although there are
many good reasons for taking advantage of the extra day light, the reality is
that attempting to change
Rep. Paul McEachern
for the Minority of Commerce and
Consumer Affairs: The minority believes
that this bill offers so much upside both to
HB 227-FN, relative to payment for tobacco
products purchased by retailers. INEXPEDIENT
TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. Joel F
Winters for Commerce and Consumer Affairs::
Each tobacco wholesaler currently has the ability to set his/her own
terms for receiving payment from retailers.
Wholesalers compete with each other to offer terms - 10, 20, 30 days or
more - that will earn them retail customers.
This bill would require the suspension or revocation of the license of
any tobacco retailer who did not pay his/her wholesaler within 10 days, even if
the wholesaler is willing to offer more flexible payment terms. Vote 17-2.
HB 254, establishing a commission to study
the effects of inflation on
Rep. Tara G
Reardon for the Majority of Commerce
and Consumer Affairs: This bill would
establish a commission to study the effects of inflation on
Rep. Joel F
Winters for the Minority of Commerce
and Consumer Affairs: Our dollars buy
3.8% less then they did last year because of inflation, a hidden tax which
occurs when the federal government creates new dollars and adds them to the
amount of money in circulation.
Government bailouts and increased federal spending are only accelerating
this process. Inflation is also a
regressive tax, hurting hardest those at the bottom of the economic ladder who
have the longest wait before getting these depreciating dollars into their
hands. Very few of our constituents are
aware of how inflation is affecting them, so it only makes sense for us to
study the issue and see if the legislature can find ways to help them. Each of
us should ask ourselves - do I really trust the federal government to get us
out of the economic mess that it has created?
ELECTION LAW
CACR
4, relating to
elections. Providing that certain
persons may vote in primaries prior to turning 18 years of age. MAJORITY:
OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT.
MINORITY: INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. Kevin D
Hodges for the Majority of
Election Law: The committee feels
that our main goal is to increase voter and civic participation. This bill allows 17 year olds to vote in a
primary election if they will turn 18 before a general election. It appears as a CACR because the Supreme
Court advised the General Court that a similar bill, passed in 2008, was
unconstitutional. This bill would give
the people of
Rep. Dino A
Scala for the Minority of
Election Law: This bill allows a
discrepancy in voting by allowing a person to vote for the “future” president
but would not allow same person (voter) to vote for town selectman. The minority feels that 17 years old is too
young to vote.
HB 258, relative to undeclared voters at
primary elections. INEXPEDIENT TO
LEGISLATE.
Rep. Claudia
A Chase for Election Law. This bill
eliminates the requirement that an undeclared voter register as a member of a
party in order to vote in a political party’s primary election. However, federal constitutional law prohibits
a state from mandating that a political party associate with anyone who is not
a member of that party. A political
party has a fundamental right to exclude anyone from participating in its party
functions who does not wish to become a member of that party.
HB 276-FN, relative to challenges of voters. OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT.
Rep. David M
Pierce for Election Law:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND
ADMINISTRATION
HB 476-FN, relative to modifying the quorum
requirement and filing fees for the board of tax and land appeals. OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT.
Rep. Laurie
Harding for Executive Departments and Administration: This bill modifies the quorum and filing
process of the board of tax and land appeals in response to the governor’s
request for a $150,000 budget cut for fiscal year 2010-2011. The board is proposing to unfund one board
member’s position in 2010 and has reduced a staff position from full time to
part time. Because the hearing and
deliberative process responsibilities will now be done by 3 members instead of
4, components of HB 476 reduce the required hearing quorum from 3 to 2. The amendment will enable the bill to be
enacted upon passage. Vote 14-5.
FINANCE
HB 369, establishing a spending cap on state
budget requests. INEXPEDIENT TO
LEGISLATE.
Rep. John
DeJoie for Finance: This bill seeks to
set a limit for the increase of the state budget. While well intentioned, it needlessly removes
budgetary authority from the legislature.
The responsibility of the legislature is to craft a balanced budget
which provides needed services for citizens of
HB 440-FN, repealing the state's authority to
bond school building aid costs. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. John
DeJoie for Finance: This bill called for
repealing the state’s authority to bond school building aid costs for the 2008
and 2009 fiscal years in the event of a general fund unreserved, undesignated
deficit at the close of the fiscal year.
The FY 2008 books have been closed, audited and the Comprehensive Annual
Financial Review (CAFR) has been released.
The authority to issue $40 million in bonds for 2008 was not used and no
bonds were issued. The 2009 audit will not be completed until very near the end
of calendar 2009. We would know then if a general fund deficit existed and if
bonds would have to be issued to offset up to
$40 million. We are making every
effort to end FY 2009 with a balanced budget.
However, if the general fund ended up in deficit, and if this bill were
passed we would be denied the option to issue bonds to pay for school building
aid expenditures and would enter FY 2010, a year that we know will present
serious fiscal challenges, with up to $40 million of deficit that could have
been avoided by the use of this reasonable financing option. Vote 14-10.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND
ELDERLY AFFAIRS
HB 113, extending the moratorium on nursing
home beds. OUGHT TO PASS WITH
AMENDMENT.
Rep. Robert G
Bridgham for Health, Human Services and
Elderly Affairs: This bill, as amended,
extends both the moratorium on new nursing home beds and the companion
moratorium on new rehabilitation beds to June 30, 2012. These moratoria have been effective in
controlling public spending while still meeting public needs. The bill also allows the CON board to approve
requests for repairs, refurbishment, or accommodation of beds secured by
transfer when the expense is greater than the current capital expenditure
threshold. The Medicaid reimbursement
will not increase for these projects above the capital expenditure
threshold. Vote 19-0.
HB 208-FN, directing the
Rep. Peter L
Batula for Health, Human Services and
Elderly Affairs: This bill has good intentions
in addressing the health needs of four counties in the north country of
HB 288, requiring nutritionally balanced
meals in congregate housing. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. Joan H
Schulze for Health, Human Services and
Elderly Affairs: This bill was requested by the department of health and human
services bureau of elderly and adult services.
The majority of the committee believes that sufficient reasons were not
given for eliminating a nutritional meal from a vulnerable population in a
congregate setting. Appropriate
nutrition is a critical component of a supportive care program. Vote 13-4.
HB 324, establishing a commission to study
recycling of unused controlled drugs in long-term care facilities. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. Frank G
Case for Health, Human Services and
Elderly Affairs: This bill raised two
issues which must be reviewed in the future.
One is the excessive amount of dollars wasted in the destruction of
controlled substance drugs and the probability of water pollution by flushing
them into water systems. However, until
existing federal drug laws are changed, any reuse of controlled drugs is unlawful. In addition, the Drug Enforcement Agency is
working on rules for disposal of controlled substances. NHDES has also convened stakeholder meetings for the same
purpose. Vote 15-2.
MUNICIPAL AND
HB
60, relative to large
groundwater withdrawals. MAJORITY:
INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
MINORITY: OUGHT TO PASS.
Rep. Raymond
G Gagnon for the Majority of Municipal
and
(which water
pollution and waste disposal). The groundwater commission was updated to
consider appropriate roles for municipalities in the permitting and regulation
of large ground water withdrawals as well as include input from municipalities.
Therefore this committee feels this bill is inexpedient to legislate as the
commission needs time to accomplish its mission. Vote 15-4.
Rep. James M
Sullivan for the Minority of Municipal
and
HB
142, relative to
extending municipal leases. MAJORITY:
OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT.
MINORITY: INEXPEDIENT TO
LEGISLATE.
Rep. Betsey L
Patten for the Majority of Municipal and
Rep. Margaret
M Crisler for the Minority of Municipal
and
PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS
HB 284-FN, increasing the contract amount that
triggers the bond requirement on public projects. OUGHT TO PASS.
Rep. Alfred C
Lerandeau for Public Works and Highways:
The intent of this bill is to increase the bond requirements for public
projects from $25,000 to $35,000. It
does not add any costs to the state and would lower the cost to the contractor
getting a bond for routine projects, thus making the project less
expensive. Nothing in this bill
precludes agencies from requiring a bond for a lesser amount of contract. Vote 19-0.
WAYS AND MEANS
HB
51-FN-A,
reestablishing the initial monthly gross charge exemption to the communications
services tax. MAJORITY: INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE. MINORITY:
OUGHT TO PASS.
Rep. Gilman
Shattuck for the Majority of Ways
and Means: The majority recognized that
the bill as presented had merit but determined it is not the appropriate time
to remove over $8,900,000 of revenue for the biennium. The majority also considered when the state
exemption was removed it was established that all state social services would
assist those in most need to access the federal tax exemption. The federal tax exemption is much greater than
the 84 cents a month lost with the state exemption. Vote 10-8.
Rep. Jordan G
Ulery for the Minority of Ways
and Means: The bill simply grants an
exemption of the first $12.00 of your local telephone bill. In tough economic times granting this simple
and small exemption is appropriate, especially to help the poorest of
citizens. When it is realized that the
tax imposed by RSA 82-A:3 is a steadily
decreasing source of revenue because of increased wireless use, the granting of
an exemption is the only right action to take.
The revenue loss is estimated at around 4 million. The state can afford to buy barns at inflated
prices but not help low income citizens?
Take actions that have direct effect to help, not just to bolster income
HB
221-FN-A, requiring a
discount to wholesalers on cash purchases of tobacco tax stamps. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. John D
Kelley for Ways and Means: This bill has
been brought forward in each of the last two terms and defeated. In addition, the bill will cause a potential
loss of $1,628,704 from the general fund. Vote 14-4.
HOUSE DEADLINES
|
Thursday, February 19, 2009 |
Last day to report House bills going to a second committee |
|
Thursday, March 5, 2009 |
Last day to act on House bills going to a second committee |
|
Thursday, March 19, 2009 |
Last day to report all House bills not in a second committee, except budgets |
|
Thursday, March 26, 2009 |
Last day to act on all House bills not in a second committee, except budgets |
|
Thursday, April 2, 2009 |
Last day to report all remaining House bills Last day to report list of retained House bills |
|
Thursday, April 9, 2009 |
Last day to act on House bills: CROSSOVER |
|
Thursday, April 30, 2009 |
Last day to report Senate bills going to a second committee |
|
Thursday, May 7, 2009 |
Last day to act on Senate bills going to a second committee |
|
Thursday, May 28, 2009 |
Last day to report all remaining Senate bills Last day to report list of retained Senate bills |
|
Thursday, June 4, 2009 |
Last day to act on Senate bills |
|
Wednesday, June 10, 2009 |
Last day to form Committees of Conference |
|
Thursday, June 18, 2009 |
Last day to sign Committee of Conference reports |
|
Thursday, June 25, 2009 |
Last day to act on Committee of Conference reports |
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9
COMMISSION TO PROPOSE A RETIREE HEALTH CARE BENEFITS FUNDING MODEL (HB 1645, Chapter 300:13, Laws of 2008), Room 306, LOB
10:00 a.m. Regular meeting.
COMMISSION TO STUDY AIR QUALITY ISSUES IN
1:00 p.m. Re0gular meeting.
COUNCIL TO STUDY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT (RSA 125-P), Room 205, LOB
9:30 a.m. Regular meeting.
INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR WOMEN OFFENDERS (RSA 21-H:14-c), Room 100, State House
9:00 a.m. Regular meeting.
STATE PARK SYSTEM ADVISORY COUNCIL (RSA 216-A:3-k),
9:00 a.m. Regular meeting.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW, Room 206, LOB
10:00 a.m. Continued public hearing on HB 195, relative to relocation of a residence of a child.
10:45 a.m. HB 467-FN, relative to the review and adjustment of child support orders.
11:15 a.m. HB 504, relative to the termination of guardianship of a minor.
1:15 p.m. Executive session on HB 38, relative to the minimum amount of child support ordered by the court, HB 79, relative to use of the child support guideline worksheet, HB 116, relative to the membership of the legislative youth advisory council, HB 132, relative to access to case records of the department of health and human services, HB 173, relative to the basis for awarding custody to a stepparent or grandparent, HB 180, creating an exception from the registration requirement for certain nonviolent offenders.
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Room 302, LOB
10:00 a.m. Continued public hearing on HB 75, prohibiting the use of information concerning education level to underwrite insurance coverage.
10:30 a.m. HB 244, relative to automobile insurance premiums.
11:00 a.m. HB 366, relative to retail vehicle dealers.
11:30 a.m. HB 350, prohibiting the sale and distribution of household cleaning products containing phosphorus.
1:30 p.m. HB 607-FN, relative to residential pharmaceutical waste.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 204, LOB
9:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on HB 138, revising certain provisions of the sexually violent predators statute, HB 230, relative to the burden of proof for a finding of abuse in domestic violence cases.
9:30 a.m. Subcommittee work session on HB 279-FN, relative to certain missing persons.
10:00 a.m. HB
520, establishing a commission to study the death penalty in
11:00 a.m. HB
512, establishing a temporary moratorium on executions and establishing
a commission to study the death penalty in
Rooms 210-211,
LOB (Please note room change.)
1:30 p.m. HB 557, requiring the attorney general to request a life sentence instead of the death penalty in certain circumstances.
2:00 p.m. HB 556-FN, repealing the death penalty.
6:00 p.m. Continued public hearing on HB 556-FN, repealing the death penalty.
EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB
10:00 a.m. HB 332, establishing a commission to study school discipline.
11:00 a.m. HB 509, requiring parental consent for psychological evaluations by school districts.
1:00 p.m. Executive session on CACR 2, relating to funding of public education. Providing that the legislature shall define standards for education, determine the level of state funding thereof, establish standards of accountability, and allocate state funds in a manner that mitigates disparities in educational opportunity and fiscal capacity, provided that a reasonable share of state funds shall be distributed on a per pupil basis, CACR 3, relating to public schools. Providing that: it shall be the duty of the legislature to encourage the interest of literature and the sciences and all seminaries and public schools, HB 140-FN, making charter schools eligible for grants for leased space, HB 225, relative to room and board scholarships for children of firefighters and police officers, HB 327-FN-L, eliminating median family income as a factor in calculating fiscal capacity disparity aid, CACR 8, relating to public education. Providing that the recognition of local control of education in the New Hampshire constitution is reestablished, HB 521-FN, relative to funding for students eligible for the free and reduced-price meal program, HB 547-FN-L, relative to distributions of adequate education aid, HB 688, relative to the chartered public school approval process and relative to open enrollment schools, HB 689-FN-A-L, directing aid to isolated small schools, HB 441-FN, relative to CART providers and sign language interpreters.
ELECTION LAW, Room 308, LOB
10:00 a.m. HB 389, relative to distributing campaign materials at polling places.
10:30 a.m. HB 390, authorizing access to the criminal justice information system for the purpose of enforcing election laws.
11:00 a.m. HB 394-FN, relative to disclosure by candidates of criminal convictions and professional license suspensions.
11:30 a.m. HB 404, relative to the procedure for listing candidates on election ballots.
1:00 p.m. HB 417, relative to electoral college electors.
1:30 p.m. HB 418, relative to presidential primary ballots.
2:00 p.m. HB 439, requiring that the question relative to the necessity for a convention to revise the New Hampshire constitution be presented to the voters in the November 2010 general election.
2:30 p.m. HB 470-FN, relative to the order of names on ballots.
3:00 p.m. Rescheduled public hearing on HB 669-FN, relative to registering to vote.
ENVIRONMENT AND AGRICULTURE, Room 104, LOB
10:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on HB 635, relative to raw milk yogurt.
10:30 a.m. Subcommittee work session on HB 247, relative to the assistance of the state veterinarian with the investigation and enforcement of animal abuse laws.
11:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on HB48, establishing a committee on agriculture in the classroom.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 306, LOB
9:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on HB 248-FN, relative to establishing a single liquor commissioner.
10:15 a.m. HB 651-FN, relative to regulation of private investigative agencies and security services.
11:00 a.m. Continued
public hearing on HB 256, relative to the
11:30 a.m. HB 297, relative to the adoption of agency forms and other rules under the administrative procedures act.
1:00 p.m. HB 316, relative to expenditures by boards and commissions for costs of examinations of applicants.
1:45 p.m. HB 617-FN, permitting private employers and others to join the state health insurance program.
2:15 p.m. Executive session on HB 93, relative to the minimum age for fighting sports competitions, HB 98, relative to reinstatement of lapsed licenses of speech-language pathologists, HB 268, relative to transfers from the judicial branch to the executive or legislative branches of state government, HB 243, authorizing the designation of special assistant attorneys general, HB 599-FN, relative to reclassification of the position of forensic toxicologist in the department of safety.
FINANCE – (DIVISION I), Room 212, LOB
10:00 a.m. Briefings with LBA.
FINANCE – (DIVISION II), Rooms 210-211, LOB
10:00 a.m. Briefings with LBA.
FINANCE – (DIVISION III), Room 209, LOB
10:00 a.m. Briefings with LBA.
FINANCE – (DIVISION III) JOINT WITH HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 205, LOB
1:00 p.m. Briefing
by A.E. "Gus" Adams, William Lewis, and Jean Sullivan on the
FISH AND GAME AND MARINE RESOURCES, Room 307, LOB
10:00 a.m. HB 526, changing certain references in fish and game laws to river herring.
10:15 a.m. HB 612, relative to the effect of a suspension or revocation of a fish and game license from another jurisdiction.
11:00 a.m. Executive session on HB 545-FN, relative to the wildlife damage control program in the fish and game department, HB 549, relative to the taking of snapping turtles.
1:00 p.m. HB 481-FN-A, establishing a recreational saltwater license for taking finfish in coastal and estuarine waters.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 205, LOB
9:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on HB 250, relative to access to information in the abuse and neglect of adults registry and relative to persons providing child care or child placing services who are charged with a crime.
10:00 a.m. HB 479-FN, relative to time limits on eligibility for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
10:45 a.m. HB 658-FN, relative to housing assistance for recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
11:30 a.m. HB 497, relative to the automated external defibrillator advisory commission.
2:00 p.m. HB 606-FN, relative to aid to the disabled.
3:00 p.m. HB 495, requiring physicians to disclose to their patients that they do not make regular hospital visits.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS JOINT WITH FINANCE – (DIVISION III), Room 205, LOB
1:00 p.m. Briefing
by A.E. "Gus" Adams, William Lewis, and Jean Sullivan on the
JUDICIARY, Room 208, LOB
10:00 a.m. HB 50, repealing the law relative to screening panels for medical injury claims.
10:30 a.m. HB 572-FN, making pretrial screening panels optional for parties to a medical injury action.
11:00 a.m. HB 203, eliminating the requirement that the trial judge present unanimous findings of the screening panel to the jury in medical injury actions.
1:00 p.m. HB 197, relative to apportionment of damages in civil actions.
1:30 p.m. HB 201, requiring the agreement of 10 jurors on issues of liability or damages for jury verdicts in trials of civil actions.
2:00 p.m. HB 438, relative to admission into evidence of certain medical bills, reports, and records.
2:30 p.m. HB 333, relative to fences as private nuisances.
LOCAL AND REGULATED REVENUES, Room 303, LOB
10:00 a.m. HB
630-FN-A, relative to live racing in
10:45 a.m. HB 624-FN-A, establishing a waiver option for live-racing tracks.
11:30 a.m. HB 82, establishing a committee to study the homestead right.
1:00 p.m. Continued public hearings on HB 461-FN-A, establishing a state-owned casino to provide funds for public education and HB 593-FN-A, authorizing the licensing and construction of destination resorts with gaming facilities including table gaming and video lottery machines, and authorizing gaming facilities at existing pari-mutuel licensees, including table gaming and video machines.
2:00 p.m. HB 107, making technical corrections to the law on taxation of farm structures and land under farm structures.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Room 301, LOB
1:00 p.m. HB 393-L, authorizing municipalities to publish electronic legal notices.
1:30 p.m. HB 468-FN-L, relative to caps on total billings by the state to the counties for nursing home care.
2:30 p.m. HB 646-FN-L, relative to county and state obligations for costs for nursing care and services, and for court orders for children services.
PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS, Room 201, LOB
10:15 a.m. Executive session on HB 511-FN, relative to a corridor study of Route 33, HB 494-FN-A, appropriating funds for construction of public facilities at Hampton Beach, HB 551-FN-A, making an appropriation for the painting of the arch bridge across the Connecticut River in Chesterfield, HB 608-FN, establishing a committee to oversee the design and construction of a public works employee memorial for public works employees who died in the course of performing public duties, HB 687-FN-A, establishing a radiological emergency evacuation infrastructure program.
11:15 a.m. HB 570-FN-A, requiring the department of transportation to convey ownership of Skyhaven airport to the Pease development authority.
1:00 p.m. HB 657-FN-LOCAL, relative to the responsibility of the state for the infrastructure of state roads that run through certain towns.
1:30 p.m. HB 671-FN, amending the motorist service signing program to allow the department of transportation to charge a fee for attraction signs.
2:00 p.m. HB 670-FN, relative to the discount rate used in the electronic toll collection for frequent users.
2:15 p.m. Public hearing on proposed amendment to HB 670-FN, relative to the discount rate used in the electronic toll collection for frequent users. The proposed amendment EZ Pass transponder charge shall be a maximum monthly fee of $30.00 for an unlimited number of tolls in NH during the month. Copies of the proposed amendment are available from the Sergeant-at-Arms office.
2:30 p.m. HB
391, authorizing the department of transportation to convey a portion
of interstate highways to the bureau of turnpikes, to redefine the eastern
RESOURCES, RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Room 305, LOB
9:30 a.m. Subcommittee work session on HB 205-FN-A, relative to certain boating fees.
10:30 a.m. HB 538-FN, relative to penalties for water pollution.
12:30 p.m. HB 473-FN, relative to water treatment plants and penalties for safe drinking water violations.
1:30 p.m. HB 502, modifying the definition of "dam."
2:30 p.m. Subcommittee work session on HB222, relative to fill and dredge permits in wetlands.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY, Room 304, LOB
9:00 a.m. Rescheduled full committee work session on HB 213-FN, requiring the bureau of emergency communications to develop and maintain a statewide emergency notification system.
10:00 a.m. HB 375, establishing a committee to study whether renters should be eligible for weatherization programs administered by the office of energy and planning.
11:00 a.m. HB 354, establishing a committee to study local government eligibility for certain funding for energy efficiency improvements.
TRANSPORTATION, Room 203, LOB
10:00 a.m. Executive session on HB 112, relative to addresses on motor vehicle registrations, HB 162, relative to recycled and rebuilt vehicles, HB 259-FN, relative to motor vehicle inspections, HB 211-FN, relative to drivers' licenses and relative to the definition of "drivers' school", HB 215, making technical corrections to certain OHRV and snowmobile laws, HB 294, prohibiting writing a text message while driving, HB 383, relative to passenger restraints, HB 528-FN, establishing a restricted driver's license for work-related transportation, HB 571-FN, relative to limited driving privileges for certain persons whose licenses have been revoked or suspended and relative to DWI convictions.
11:30 a.m. HB 629-FN-A, revising certain motor vehicle laws.
1:00 p.m. HB 465-FN-A, relative to driver's license fees.
1:30 p.m. HB 576-FN, establishing number
plates supporting
2:00 p.m. HB 640-FN, relative to speed limits and keeping right except to pass.
WAYS AND MEANS, Room 202, LOB
10:00 a.m. Full committee work session on Revenue Estimates.
1:00 p.m. HB 540-FN-A, relative to fees for motor vehicle records.
1:15 p.m. HB 533-FN-A, reducing the rates of the business profits tax and the business enterprise tax.
1:30 p.m. HB 679-FN-A, establishing an exemption from the interest and dividends tax for individuals who are 62 years of age or older.
1:45 p.m. HB
562-FN-A, establishing a job creation tax credit for the town of
2:00 p.m. HB 600-FN, relative to dedicated funds maintained by the state treasurer.
2:30 p.m. HB 583-FN-A-L, establishing an income tax to adequately fund public education and relative to employment of teachers.
3:00 p.m. Executive session on HB 457-FN-A, increasing the standard exemption under the interest and dividends tax, HB 516-FN, abolishing fees for nondriver's picture identification cards, HB 412-FN-A, relative to the research and development tax credit, HB 435-FN-A, relative to sales of tobacco products in state liquor stores and reducing the rate of the tobacco tax, HB 472-FN-A, establishing a tax on the sale of permissible fireworks.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Room 302, LOB
10:00 a.m. Executive session on HB 330, relative to life, accident, and health insurance, HB 507-FN, relative to taxes, fees, and credits under the insurance laws, HB 661-FN, relative to family leave insurance, HB 602-FN-A, relative to costs associated with cashing payroll checks, HB 610-FN, relative to consumer protection from certain practices of mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers, and mortgage loan originators and implementing the S.A.F.E. mortgage licensing act, HB 431-FN, requiring certain engine coolants and antifreeze to include an aversive agent so that they are rendered unpalatable, HB 564-FN, relative to wheelchair van accessible parking spaces, HB 392-FN, establishing a cigar bar liquor license.
1:30 p.m. HB 299, prohibiting banks from requiring blood samples, fingerprints, and DNA samples in order to complete a banking transaction.
2:00 p.m. HB 334-FN, relative to consumer credit.
2:30 p.m. HB 616, relative to banking overdraft fees.
3:00 p.m. HB 618, relative to identification required by banks.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 204, LOB
9:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on HB 214, establishing a commission to study health care services in correctional facilities and relative to regulation of prescription medication interruptions by corrections staff and access to inmates by medical, mental health, and social services providers.
EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB
9:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on HB 123, requiring a financial literacy component within the high school economics course.
10:00 a.m. HB 527, repealing the coordinated school health committee and relative to health education in kindergarten through grade 12.
10:30 a.m. HB 560, relative to the use of state education funds for extended learning opportunities for certain pupils.
Representatives
Hall
1:00 p.m. HB 368, relative to annual goals in a home education program.
2:00 p.m. HB 367, relative to procedures for evaluation of home schooled students.
ELECTION LAW, Rooms 210-211, LOB
9:30 a.m. Rescheduled public hearing on HB 506, authorizing absentee voting by election officers.
10:00 a.m. Rescheduled public hearing on HB 513, relative to the prohibition on voting in more than one state.
10:30 a.m. Rescheduled public hearing on HB 541, relative to placement and removal of political advertising.
11:00 a.m. Rescheduled public hearing on HB 548-FN-L, requiring municipalities to have dedicated post office boxes for receipt of absentee ballots.
11:30 a.m. Rescheduled public hearing on HB 573-FN, relative to absentee voting.
1:00 p.m. Rescheduled public hearing on HB 614, relative to domicile of students for voting purposes.
1:30 p.m. Rescheduled public hearing on HB 620, disqualifying certain persons from performing duties as an election official.
2:00 p.m. Rescheduled public hearing on HB 622, amending the hearing dates of the ballot law commission.
2:30 p.m. Rescheduled public hearing on HB 623, making various changes to the election laws.
3:00 p.m. Rescheduled public hearing on HB 667-FN, relative to misrepresenting the origin of a campaign call.
ENVIRONMENT AND AGRICULTURE, Room 308, LOB
9:00 a.m. HB 675-FN, requiring a refundable deposit on beverage containers.
10:30 a.m. HB 337-FN-L, permitting the issue of temporary licenses for certain sellers of animals.
1:00 p.m. Executive session on HB 42-FN, allowing the state veterinarian to employ a meat inspection services administrator, HB 232, permitting the pesticide control board to establish pesticide fees, HB 283-FN, establishing a solid waste management fund and assessing a beverage container fee.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 306, LOB
8:30 a.m. Subcommittee work session on HB 420-FN, relative to the determination of gainful occupation for a group II member receiving an accidental disability retirement allowance from the retirement system, HB 590-FN, relative to the retirement age for group II members, HB 632-FN, relative to including fully certified police officers of the New Hampshire hospital campus force in group II of the retirement system, HB 223-FN-L, establishing a moratorium on the implementation of the retirement system employer assessments for excess benefits.
9:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on HB 598-FN, relative to the regulation of auctioneers by the state board of auctioneers.
10:00 a.m. HB 289, relative to the requiring financial and business management experience for membership on the board of trustees of the New Hampshire retirement system.
10:45 a.m. HB 335, relative to the state retiree health plan commission.
11:30 a.m. HB 685-FN, relative to medical benefits payment by the retirement system for certain vested deferred group I members.
1:15 p.m. HB 633-FN, relative to eligibility for medical benefits payment by the retirement system for certain group I teacher and political subdivision employee members.
2:00 p.m. HB 641-FN-L, relative to the determination of employer assessments for excess benefits paid by employers in the retirement system.
2:45 p.m. HB
591-FN, relative to the maximum initial retirement benefit for retirees
in the
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 205, LOB
9:30 a.m. HB 544, relative to data collected by health care facilities.
10:00 a.m. Executive session on HB 81, prohibiting smoking within 25 feet of playgrounds, HB 126-FN, relative to the voluntary certification of health officers by a health officer credentialing board., HB 226-FN, relative to the lead paint poisoning law, HB 400-FN-A, relative to Medicaid reimbursement rates for personal care attendants and personal care services providers and making an appropriation therefor, HB 486-FN, prohibiting the department of health and human services from entering into a contract with Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. or any organization that provides abortion services, HB 495, requiring physicians to disclose to their patients that they do not make regular hospital visits.
11:00 a.m. HB 505, waiving medical records fees for persons applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Income (SSDI).
1:00 p.m. HB 536, relative to smoking in and around health care facilities.
2:00 p.m. HB 693, relative to emergency generators in residential care facilities.
JUDICIARY, Room 208, LOB
9:45 a.m. Subcommittee work session on HB 118, relative to periodic payments of judgments.
10:00 a.m. HB 625-FN, relative to court security screening procedures.
10:30 a.m. HB 655-FN, extending senior active status to judges over 70 years of age.
11:00 a.m. HB 677-FN, allowing part-time district court justices and probate court judges to sit as senior active status judges upon retirement.
11:30 a.m. HB 325, establishing standards for adequate service of process.
1:00 p.m. HB 274-FN, requiring parental notification before abortions may be performed on unemancipated minors.
2:00 p.m. HB 531-FN, relative to parental notification prior to abortions being performed on minors.
LABOR, INDUSTRIAL AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, Room 307, LOB
9:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on HB 103, relative to paying discharged and laid off employees in full at the time of discharge.
9:30 a.m. Subcommittee work session on HB 271, relative to relevant information in a workers' compensation claim.
10:00 a.m. HB 46, relative to dispute resolution within the context of public employee dispute resolution.
11:30 a.m. Executive session on HB 103, relative to paying discharged and laid off employees in full at the time of discharge, HB 164, relative to repayment of loans under the workforce incentive program, HB 216-FN, relative to fees for legal services rendered to workers' compensation claimants, HB 146-FN-L, relative to the minimum wage, HB 343, relative to payroll deductions, HB 411, relative to the safety of retirement accounts, HB 662-FN, relative to paid sick leave for employees, HB 663-FN, relative to working families' flexibility, HB 271, relative to relevant information in a workers' compensation claim.
1:00 p.m. HB 305, relative to public employees' right to strike.
2:30 p.m. HB 500, repealing the authority for an exclusive representative of an employee organization to conduct collective bargaining for employees.
LOCAL AND REGULATED REVENUES, Room 303, LOB
10:00 a.m. HB 487, allowing municipalities to adopt a property tax exemption for compliance with green building standards.
10:30 a.m. HB 522, allowing municipalities to adopt a road maintenance property tax credit for resident unit owners in an over-55 condominium community.
11:00 a.m. HB 676-FN-L, relative to the reappraisal for tax purposes of property damaged by a natural disaster.
1:00 p.m. HB 596-FN-L, relative to establishing a property tax credit for all taxpayers whose property taxes exceed 10 percent of household income.
1:30 p.m. HB 309, enabling towns and cities to establish a local revenue option as an alternative to property taxation for the funding of local government costs.
2:00 p.m. Executive session on HB 155, allowing municipalities to adopt a non-wartime veterans' property tax credit, HB 188, enabling municipalities to extend the veterans' property tax credit to all honorably discharged veterans, HB 159, relative to the county tax payment by the town of Milan, HB 298, excluding the value of a view from determination of market value for property tax assessments, HB 91, allowing municipalities to extend the veterans' tax credit to veterans who do not have service in a war or conflict, and relative to the definition of veteran.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Room 301, LOB
10:00 a.m. HB 539-L, relative to town boundaries and the laws pertaining to such boundaries
10:30 a.m. SB 38, relative to placing vote tallies on town and school district ballots.
11:00 a.m. Subcommittee
work session on HB 33, amending the
1:00 p.m. Subcommittee work session on HB 43, relative to subdivision and site plan regulation waivers.
PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS, Room 201, LOB
10:00 a.m. Executive
session on HB 670-FN, relative to the discount rate used in the electronic
toll collection for frequent users, HB 671-FN, amending the motorist
service signing program to allow the department of transportation to charge a
fee for attraction signs, HB 391, authorizing the department
of transportation to convey a portion of interstate highways to the bureau of
turnpikes, to redefine the eastern New Hampshire turnpike, and to increase the
aggregate amount of bonds the state may issue, HB 603-FN-A, relative to
the construction of an Old Man of the Mountain monument on the shore of Profile
Lake and making an appropriation therefor, rescheduled executive session on HB
185-FN, relative to the installation of sound barriers along a certain
segment of the F.E. Everett turnpike in the town of Merrimack, and rescheduled
executive session on HB 450, relative to the state
10-year transportation improvement program and HB 437, relative to the operation of
the
RESOURCES, RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Room 305, LOB
10:00 a.m. Executive session on HB 150-FN, relative to removing invasive aquatic growth, HB 176, relative to the Monadnock advisory commission, HB 218-FN, relative to the state park fund, HB 443, relative to underground storage facility operator training, HB 469-FN-A-L, relative to acquisition by the state of 2 parcels of land in Peterborough and making an appropriation therefor, HB 473-FN, relative to water treatment plants and penalties for safe drinking water violations, HB 490-FN-A-L, establishing a shorefront maintenance fee, HB 503-FN, relative to the state's authority to lease submerged land, HB 537-FN, relative to penalties for oil spills, HB 538-FN, relative to penalties for water pollution, HB 566-FN, relative to the regulation of backflow protection technicians.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY, Room 304, LOB
9:30 a.m. HB 395, requiring electric utilities to offer a renewable default energy service option.
TRANSPORTATION, Room 203, LOB
9:30 a.m. HB 683-FN-A-L, relative to disposition of motor vehicle fines, relative to fines for speed limit violations, and requiring the department of safety to inform drivers of changes to the motor vehicle laws.
10:00 a.m. HB 546-FN, relative to authorizing temporary registrations of off-highway recreational vehicles and snowmobiles for nonresidents and increasing the agent fee.
11:00 a.m. Executive session on HB 465-FN-A, relative to driver's license fees, HB 629-FN-A, revising certain motor vehicle laws, HB 576-FN, establishing number plates supporting New Hampshire public higher education, HB 640-FN, relative to speed limits and keeping right except to pass, HB 683-FN-A-L, relative to disposition of motor vehicle fines, relative to fines for speed limit violations, and requiring the department of safety to inform drivers of changes to the motor vehicle laws, HB 546-FN, relative to authorizing temporary registrations of off-highway recreational vehicles and snowmobiles for nonresidents and increasing the agent fee.
WAYS AND MEANS, Room 202, LOB
10:00 a.m. HB 85-FN-A, establishing the women, infants and children program fund.
10:15 a.m. HB 597-FN-A-L, revising the property tax relief program in order to cap education tax payments at one percent of adjusted gross income.
10:30 a.m. HB 627-FN, relative to the insurance premium tax.
11:00 a.m. HB 656-FN-L, relative to collection of the education property tax and establishing a program to rebate certain excessive property tax payments of eligible taxpayers.
1:00 p.m. HB
691-FN-A, relative to the
1:30 p.m. HB 543-FN-A, establishing an inheritance tax on property received by collateral heirs.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Room 302, LOB
2:00 p.m. HB 605, relative to employment of minors by liquor licensees.
2:30 p.m. HB 636-FN, relative to direct shipment of alcoholic beverages.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 204, LOB
1:45 p.m. Or thirty minutes after session, continued public hearing on HB 160, relative to physical force in defense of a person.
2:00 p.m. Or immediately following the public hearing on HB 160, executive session on HB 601-FN, relative to claims for compensation from the victims' assistance fund, HB 611-FN, relative to suspension of a driver's license for gasoline theft, HB 637-FN, relative to bail agents and recovery agents, HB 647-FN, relative to motor vehicle fines and violations, HB 653-FN, relative to service animals, HB 555-FN, decriminalizing possession of one ounce or less of marijuana.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 306, LOB
2:00 p.m. Or one hour after session, executive session on HB 420-FN, relative to the determination of gainful occupation for a group II member receiving an accidental disability retirement allowance from the retirement system, HB 632-FN, relative to including fully certified police officers of the New Hampshire hospital campus force in group II of the retirement system, HB 223-FN-L, establishing a moratorium on the implementation of the retirement system employer assessments for excess benefits, HB 598-FN, relative to the regulation of auctioneers by the state board of auctioneers, HB 174-FN, establishing a performance measurement system for state agencies, HB 590-FN, relative to the retirement age for group II members.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 205, LOB
2:00 p.m. HB 594-FN, relative to the medicaid pharmacy benefits management program.
2:30 p.m. HB 483, establishing the developmental services quality council.
JUDICIARY, Room 208, LOB
2:00 p.m. Executive session on HB 157, relative to library patron records, HB 89, exempting certain information relating to suicides from the right-to-know law, HB 206, relative to retention of governmental records under the right-to-know law, HB 65, establishing a commission to study the application of criminal law in landlord-tenant matters, HB 171, establishing a commission to evaluate mental health courts and establish standards for the operation of mental health courts, HB 217, relative to gender neutral references in court documents, HB 145, repealing the law allowing assignment of superior court justices to hear cases in the district court, HB 118, relative to periodic payments of judgments.
LABOR, INDUSTRIAL AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, Room 307, LOB
2:00 p.m. Subcommittee work session on HB 108, establishing an employers' private right of action to enforce the payment of workers' compensation coverage.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Room 301, LOB
2:00 p.m. Subcommittee work session on HB 377, relative to extending certain dates for town budget preparation.
RESOURCES, RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Room 305, LOB
2:30 p.m. HB 558-FN, establishing procedures for leasing state parks for use by private entities.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY, Room 304, LOB
2:15 p.m. Continued executive session on HB 55, relative to the definition of "bulk power supply facilities," HB 117, repealing the gas utility restructuring oversight committee.
STATE FEDERAL RELATIONS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, Room 203, LOB
2:00 p.m. Executive session on HB 90-FN, relative to the employment of veterans on Veterans' Day, HB 295, relative to mental health treatment for members of the armed forces and veterans convicted of crimes, HCR 1, urging congress to withdraw the United States from the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America, HCR 3, recommending a statement of principles on international trade, HCR 4, supporting the Basel Convention on the international shipment of hazardous waste, HCR 5, urging Congress to enact a system of voluntary public funding for all federal elections, HCR 6, affirming States' rights based on Jeffersonian principles.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13
COMMISSION TO RECOMMEND POLICIES AND PROGRAMS RELATED TO
INCREASING THE NUMBER OF
11:00 a.m. Regular meeting.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
10:00 a.m. Leave from the LOB for a tour of the NH Women’s State Prison in Goffstown and the Women’s Transitional Housing unit at the Shea Farm in Concord. Lunch will not be provided so members are requested to bring a bag lunch.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY BOARD (RSA
125-O:5-a), Public Utilities Commission Office, Room 103,
9:00 a.m. Regular meeting.
FISCAL COMMITTEE (RSA 14:30-a), Rooms 210-211, LOB
9:00 a.m. Regular business.
GUARDIANS AD LITEM BOARD (RSA 490-C:1), Room 102, LOB
1:00 p.m. Regular meeting.
1:30 p.m. Regular meeting.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17
CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW, Room 206, LOB
9:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on HB 66, relative to the legal age for blood donations.
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Room 302, LOB
10:00 a.m. Executive session on HB 636-FN, relative to direct shipment of alcoholic beverages.
10:15 a.m. Rescheduled public hearing on HB 660-FN, relative to the life settlements act.
11:00 a.m. HB 668-FN, relative to a life settlements model act.
1:00 p.m. HB 416, relative to insurance examinations.
1:30 p.m. HB 659-FN, relative to insurance fraud.
2:00 p.m. HB 680, making technical changes in the insurance laws.
EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB
10:00 a.m. HB 615, relative to withdrawal from a school administrative unit.
11:00 a.m. HCR 7, in support of teen dating violence education.
ELECTION LAW, Room 308, LOB
10:00 a.m. Rescheduled executive session on HB 389, relative to distributing campaign materials at polling places, HB 390, authorizing access to the criminal justice information system for the purpose of enforcing election laws, HB 394-FN, relative to disclosure by candidates of criminal convictions and professional license suspensions, HB 404, relative to the procedure for listing candidates on election ballots, HB 417, relative to electoral college electors, HB 418, relative to presidential primary ballots, HB 439, requiring that the question relative to the necessity for a convention to revise the New Hampshire constitution be presented to the voters in the November 2010 general election, HB 470-FN, relative to the order of names on ballots, HB 506, authorizing absentee voting by election officers, HB 541, relative to placement and removal of political advertising, HB 548-FN-L, requiring municipalities to have dedicated post office boxes for receipt of absentee ballots, HB 573-FN, relative to absentee voting, HB 614, relative to domicile of students for voting purposes, HB 620, disqualifying certain persons from performing duties as an election official, HB 622, amending the hearing dates of the ballot law commission, HB 623, making various changes to the election laws, HB 667-FN, relative to misrepresenting the origin of a campaign call, HB 669-FN, relative to registering to vote, HB 513, relative to the prohibition on voting in more than one state.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 306, LOB
10:15 a.m. HB 356, relative to required training for chiropractors performing spinal manipulation or spinal adjustment.
11:15 a.m. HB 408-FN, relative to the regulation of physicians and physician assistants by the board of medicine.
1:15 p.m. HB 519, relative to supervision of state employees who are related by birth or marriage.
2:00 p.m. HB 464-FN, relative to certain duties of the department of administrative services and relative to credit card contracts for state agencies.
FINANCE, Rooms 210-211, LOB
10:00 a.m. Governor’s Budget Presentations.
Budget Presentations:
11:00 a.m. Judicial Branch.
1:00 p.m. Department of Environmental Services.
2:00 p.m. University System of NH.
3:00 p.m. Department of Safety
FISH AND GAME AND MARINE RESOURCES, Room 307, LOB
10:00 a.m. HB 559, relative to the composition and duties of, and appointment to, the fish and game commission.
1:00 p.m. Executive session on HB 526, changing certain references in fish and game laws to river herring, HB 559, relative to the composition and duties of, and appointment to, the fish and game commission, HB 612, relative to the effect of a suspension or revocation of a fish and game license from another jurisdiction.
JUDICIARY, Room 208, LOB
10:00 a.m. Executive session on HB 263-FN-L, eliminating the charge against the state for sheriffs' service of process for indigent plaintiffs, HB 275-FN, increasing the state reimbursement amounts for payment of bailiffs, HB 281-FN, increasing the maximum amount of debt or damages for small claims actions and requiring mediation for small claims actions exceeding $5,000 and establishing a fee for the cost of such mediation, HB 285-FN, authorizing the supreme court to establish a fee to be imposed when a court extends the time for payment of a fine, HB 310-FN, relative to reimbursement of mileage for judges and marital masters, HB 344-FN, establishing the number of associate justices of the superior court, HB 425-FN-A-L, relative to remedies under the state right-to-know law and continually appropriating a special fund, HB 563-FN-A, establishing a fund to provide loans to allow low and moderate income plaintiffs to retain expert witnesses in civil cases and making an appropriation therefor, HB 609-FN-A, establishing a judicial branch information technology fund, HB 682-FN, relative to court security and court security officers.
Rescheduled executive session on HB 70, relative to taking stones from stone walls.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Room 301, LOB
11:00 a.m. Executive session on HB 539-L, relative to town boundaries and the laws pertaining to such boundaries, HB 468-FN-L, relative to caps on total billings by the state to the counties for nursing home care, HB 646-FN-L, relative to county and state obligations for costs for nursing care and services, and for court orders for children services, HB 257, relative to warrant articles at official ballot meetings, HB 308, allowing a town budget committee to establish an alternative date for its public hearing, HB 361, relative to the default budget in certain towns, HB 326, relative to certain municipal revolving funds, HB 290, authorizing fluvial erosion hazard zoning, HB 320-L, relative to agreements between central business service districts and municipalities for infrastructure improvements, HB 362, relative to zoning districts, HB 306, allowing towns to apply for certification of local building codes for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act., HB 388, relative to permitting village district commissioners to apply for certain bridge aid, HB 152, relative to storage of architectural blueprints by municipalities.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY, Room 304, LOB
10:00 a.m. HB 269-FN, requiring measurement of carbon dioxide produced and sequestered in this state.
1:00 p.m. HB 303-FN, relative to motor vehicle emissions and motor vehicle idling.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Room 302, LOB
10:00 a.m. HB 376, relative to condominium governance.
10:30 a.m. HB 442, relative to the review and amendment of condominium bylaws.
11:00 a.m. HB 482, relative to mold assessment, testing, and remediation.
11:30 a.m. HB 492, requiring certification for persons performing radon tests.
1:00 p.m. HB 530-FN, relative to inspection of public buildings for compliance with access standards.
1:30 p.m. HB 535, requiring dwelling units to have functioning smoke detectors upon their sale or transfer.
2:00 p.m. HB 346, relative to real estate developers creating space for drying laundry without electricity or gas.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 306, LOB
10:00 a.m. HB 52-FN, relative to the regulation of massage therapists.
11:00 a.m. HB 84-FN, relative to the regulation of reflexologists, structural integrators, and Asian bodywork therapists.
1:00 p.m. HB 488, establishing a commission to study the efficiency and responsiveness of state government.
1:45 p.m. HB 510, relative to the position of director of vital records administration.
FINANCE, Rooms 210-211, LOB
Budget presentations:
9:00 a.m. Department of Administrative Services.
10:00 a.m. Department of Health and Human Services.
1:00 p.m. Department of Corrections.
2:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m. Department of Transportation.
JUDICIARY, Room 208, LOB
10:00 a.m. HB 219, relative to hearings for incapacitated persons admitted to state institutions by their guardians.
11:00 a.m. HB 304, relative to death with dignity for certain persons suffering from a terminal condition.
1:00 p.m. HB 456, establishing a committee to study the definition of surviving issue.
1:30 p.m. HB 480-FN, relative to the definition of "public use" regarding eminent domain.
2:00 p.m. HB 574-FN-L, authorizing liens for unpaid building code violations and requiring landlord agents for restricted rental property.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Room 301, LOB
10:00 a.m. Continued executive session, as needed, from February 17.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY, Room 304, LOB
10:00 a.m. HB 413, relative to alternative regulation of small incumbent local exchange carriers.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (RSA 541-A:2), Rooms 306-308, LOB
9:00 a.m. Regular meeting.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, 2nd Floor
Conference Room, Department of Safety,
10:00 a.m. Tour of the State Police Criminal Laboratory.
1:00 p.m. Tour of the
10:00 a.m. Regular meeting.
MONDAY, MARCH 2
COMMISSION ON THE PREVENTION OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY (HB 1422, Chapter 219:1, Laws of 2008), Room 207, LOB
10:00 a.m. Regular meeting.
COMMISSION TO STUDY THE ISSUE OF STORMWATER MANAGEMENT(HB 1295, Chapter 71:1, Laws of 2008), Room 305, LOB
11:30 a.m. Regular meeting.
OIL FUND DISBURSEMENT (RSA 146-D:4), Room 305, LOB
9:00 a.m. Regular meeting.
TUESDAY, MARCH 3
JUDICIARY, Room 208, LOB
11:00 a.m. HB 73, relative to the solemnization of marriage.
11:30 a.m. HB 396, relative to the solemnization of marriage.
1:00 p.m. HB 634, authorizing civil unions between one man and one woman.
1:30 p.m. HB 684, allowing persons of the opposite sex to enter civil unions, eliminating certain prohibitions on same-sex civil unions, and clarifying that no person shall be a party to both a civil union and a marriage, unless the parties to the marriage are legally separated.
2:00 p.m. HB 686, relative to complaint procedures in cases before the commission for human rights.
STATE VETERANS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE (RSA 115-A:2), NH
National Guard,
5:00 p.m. Regular meeting.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4
EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(RSA 186-C:3-b), Department of Education, Londergan Hall, Room 15, 101 Pleasant
St.,
4:00 p.m. Regular meeting.
THURSDAY, MARCH 5
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY, Room 304, LOB
10:00 a.m. HB 496, establishing a limit on the amount of cost recovery for the emissions reduction equipment installed at the Merrimack Station.
FRIDAY, MARCH 6
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (RSA 541-A:2), Rooms 306-308, LOB
9:00 a.m. Continued regular meeting.
MONDAY, MARCH 9
COMMISSION TO PROPOSE A RETIREE HEALTH CARE BENEFITS FUNDING MODEL (HB 1645, Chapter 300:13, Laws of 2008), Room 306, LOB
10:00 a.m. Regular meeting.
ELECTRONIC BALLOT COUNTING DEVICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (HB 285, Chapter 134:1, Laws of 2008), HAVA Conference Room Archives and Records Management Building, 71 South Fruit Street, Concord
10:00 a.m. Regular meeting.
MONDAY, MARCH 16
EQUALIZATION STANDARDS BOARD (RSA 21-J:14-c), Department of
Revenue Administration, 109 Pleasant Street (Medical and Surgical Building),
1:00 p.m. Regular meeting.
INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR WOMEN OFFENDERS (RSA 21-H:14-c), Room 100, State House
9:00 a.m. Regular meeting.
10:00 a.m. Regular meeting.
FRIDAY, MARCH 20
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (RSA 541-A:2), Rooms 306-308, LOB
9:00 a.m. Regular meeting.
MONDAY, MARCH 23
COMMISSION TO PROPOSE A RETIREE HEALTH CARE BENEFITS FUNDING MODEL (HB 1645, Chapter 300:13, Laws of 2008), Room 306, LOB
10:00 a.m. Regular meeting.
TUESDAY, MARCH 24
LONG-RANGE CAPITAL PLANNING AND UTILIZATION (RSA 17-M), Room 201, LOB
3:00 p.m. Regular business.
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
ASSESSING STANDARDS BOARD (RSA 21-J:14-a), Department of
Revenue Administration, 109 Pleasant Street (Medical and Surgical Building),
9:30 a.m. Regular meeting.
BOARD OF MANUFACTURED HOUSING (RSA 205-A:25), Room 201, LOB
1:00 p.m. Complaint hearing.
OFFICIAL NOTICES
County Delegation Notice
County Delegation Notice
Rep. Karen C. Umberger, Clerk
County Delegation Notice
Rep. Maurice Pilotte, Chairman
County Delegation Notice
Merrimack County Executive Committee will meet on Monday, March 9 at 9:00 a.m. in the lower level conference room of the McDonnell Building, 4 Court Street, Concord. The purpose of the meeting is as follows: 1. 2009 Budget Review as follows: a. Corrections. b. Administration and Others. c. Human Services and Others. d. County Attorney/Med. Referee/Pre-Trial/Adult Diversion/Sheriff Dispatch. e. Nursing Home. 2. Any other business.
Rep. Jessie Osborne, Chairman
County Delegation Notice
Rep. David A. Welch, Clerk
Rockingham County Delegation will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 17 at the Hilton Auditorium, Rockingham County Nursing Home, Brentwood to adopt the County Budget for 2009 (storm date February 19).
Rep. David A. Welch, Clerk
******
REVISED FISCAL NOTES
The following House Bill has revised fiscal notes: HBs 31, 166, 419, 423,426, 592, 594,595, 598, 630, 639, 640, 643, 650, 652, 653, 658, 663, 674.
Karen O. Wadsworth, Clerk of the House
******
Pursuant to RSA 326-B:10-a,IV, the Joint Health Council will meet at the NH Board of Nursing Office, Walker Building, 21 South Fruit Street, Concord, on Monday, March 9 at 6:00 p.m.
Karen O. Wadsworth, Clerk of the House
******
When the House Clerk’s Office is aware of House Members who are hospitalized or homebound by serious illness, we will publish a list of names and addresses as requested.
Rep. Anne K. Priestly,
Colleagues who so desire may send cards and greetings to the address listed above.
Karen O. Wadsworth, Clerk of the House
******
MEMBERS’ NOTICES
The following notices are published in the House record as a courtesy to the member(s) requesting publication. These are not official public notices and will be limited to legislative policy or legislative social activities and political meetings or events. Publication should not be construed as support for either the events listed or the views espoused by the individual or organization sponsoring the event.
******
The components of the NH Dental Society will be inviting
legislators to events in their area in order to educate legislators regarding
oral health issues in
Reps.
Mary Jane Wallner and
******
Legislators, staff and all
Monday, February 9th, 8:30
a.m.-10:30 a.m., at Meredith Village Savings Bank,
Tuesday, February 10th, 5:30-7:30
p.m., at the
Friday, February 13th, 5:30-7:30
p.m., at
Saturday, February 14th, 10:00
a.m.-12:00 p.m., at the Manchester Health Department,
Please RSVP to cbha@dupontgroup.com
Rep. Liz Merry
******
The Department of Transportation will hold the following meetings:
Feb 9 –
Feb 11 –
Feb 19 –
Rep. Candace CW Bouchard, Chairman
Public Works and Highways Committee
******
On Wednesday, February 11th, Citizens for Food That Makes a Difference (CFMD) is offering a vegetarian lunch buffet in the Statehouse Cafeteria beginning at 11:30 a.m. Along with lunch, materials and resources will be presented about successful efforts already underway on preventing childhood obesity, as well as hand-outs on healthy nutrition. HB 1422 formed a commission to study this issue and make recommendations to Governor Lynch. CFMD will take this opportunity to share their research and promote healthy food as one of the efforts to help in the education process for reducing childhood obesity and increasing total wellness.
Rep. Ed Butler
******
The New Hampshire Young Republican Federation cordially invites
all legislators and staff to a reception honoring the birth of President Ronald
Reagan on February 11th. The reception will take place from Noon to 1
p.m. at the Upham Walker House,
Rep Shaun Doherty
******
Legislators and legislative staff are invited to the Delta Dental
legislative reception at
Reps.
Mary Jane Wallner and
******
All legislators and staff are invited to the 41st annual Retail Merchants Association Legislative Reception and presentation of our “Legislator of the Year”, “Law Enforcement Partner of the Year” and “Retailer of the Year” awards on Wednesday, February 11th. Please join RMANH members at 4:00 p.m. in the Bartlett Room of the Concord Holiday Inn. You may RSVP to melanie@rmanh.com or 225-9748.
Reps.
Mary Jane Wallner and
******
Legislative Breakfast with AARP President Jennie Chin Hansen will
be held Thursday, February 12, from
7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn,
Reps.
Mary Jane Wallner and
******
The Capitol Grille,
Reps. Jessie L. Osborne and Christine C. Hamm
******
The New Hampshire Child Advocacy Network (NH CAN), a program of the Children’s Alliance of New Hampshire, cordially invite all legislators to a press release of the 2009 Priorities for New Hampshire’s Children on Tuesday, February 17 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 206 at the Legislative Office Building. Media has also been invited. Each year, a consensus of nearly 100 NH CAN partner organizations and advisors develop a collective set of priorities which recommend legislative and governmental action to ensure that our children, families, communities and state have every opportunity to thrive.
Rep. Mary Stuart Gile
******
Legislators are invited to attend the Mental Health Caucus meeting on February 17 from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. (bring your own brown bag lunch) at the Upham Walker House. Please call Rep. Liz Merry (286-4897 or email lizmerry@metrocast.net) or Rep. Bob Thompson (email Robert.Thompson@leg.state.nh.us) if you have questions.
Rep. Liz Merry
******
The NH Women's Lobby cordially invites all members of the
legislature to our second annual Love the Lobby event on Tuesday, February 17 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Rath, Young and Pignatelli,
Rep. Carla M. Skinder
******
On February 17th the
New Hampshire Federation of Humane Organizations invites all legislators to an
informational luncheon on HB 630, the Greyhound Protection Act. Lunch will be available from 11:30 am to 1:00
pm at
Rep. Mary R. Cooney
******
Breathe
Reps.
Mary Jane Wallner and
******
The Granite State Airport Management Association (GSAMA)
cordially invites you to attend the second “GSAMA at the Capital” on Wednesday,
February 18 in Room 100, State House
from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. GSAMA is
comprised of aviation related organizations that work closely with the
NHDOT/Bureau of Aeronautics and the federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in
promoting the 24 public-use airports throughout
the
Rep. Chris Nevins
******
The Merrimack County Farm Bureau invites the Merrimack County Delegation, and the Environment and Agriculture Committee to a rescheduled luncheon on Wednesday, February 18 at the Department of Agriculture conference room, second floor of the State House Annex at noon or when the House recesses for lunch.
Rep. Candace CW Bouchard
******
The Aviation Caucus will have its first organizational meeting in the Conference Room of the Upham Walker House at 3:00 p.m. or at the end of the House session on February 18. We look forward to greeting all who indicated their interest to join our caucus and to those who may still wish to.
Rep. Chris Nevins
******
Reps.
Mary Jane Wallner and
******
Legislators are invited to attend the Opening Ceremony for the
Rep. Jessie L. Osborne
******
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Legislative Orientation has been rescheduled for Tuesday March 10th at
Rep. Cindy Rosenwald
******
The House Republican Alliance will meet every Tuesday at 8:30
a.m. at the Upham Walker House,
Rep. Nancy J. Elliott
******
The Main Street Republicans will meet every Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in Room 212, LOB. All Republicans are welcome.
Rep. Cynthia J. Dokmo
State House Visitation Schedule
As a convenience to the members of the NH General Court, the
Visitors’ Center offers the following schedule of schools and other groups
visiting the State House in February
2009. These listings are to ensure
all members be notified in a timely manner of visitors from their
district. Our schedule is tightly booked
for the remainder of the school year and subject to changes. Please
contact the Visitors’ Center concerning school tour booking information. Legislators planning to meet with students
should notify the
Virginia J. Drew. Director
Caitlin A. Daniuk, Public Information Administrator
|
DATE |
TIME |
GROUP |
Size/Grade |
|
Feb. 9 |
10:00 |
|
40/4 |
|
Feb. 10 |
9:00 |
|
50/4 |
|
Feb. 10 |
10:30 |
|
52/4 |
|
Feb. 11 |
9:00 |
|
50/4 |
|
Feb. 11 |
10:00 |
|
40/4 |
|
Feb. 12 |
9:00 |
|
50/4 |
|
Feb. 12 |
9:30 |
AARP |
12/Adult |
|
Feb. 12 |
10:30 |
|
33/4 |
|
Feb. 13 |
9:00 |
|
26/4 |
|
Feb. 13 |
10:00/11:30 SH/HM/SC |
|
80/4 |
|
Feb. 17 |
9:00 |
The |
15/4 |
|
Feb. 17 |
10:00 |
|
40/4 |
|
Feb. 18 |
9:30 |
|
16/4 |
|
Feb. 18 |
10:00/11:30 SH/HM |
New |
55/4 |
|
Feb. 19 |
9:00 |
|
20/4 |
|
Feb. 19 |
10:00 |
|
21/4 |
|
Feb. 19 |
11:45 |
|
20/College |
|
Feb. 20 |
10:00/11:30 SH/SC |
|
115/4 |
|
Feb. 23 |
2:00 |
|
10 |
|
Feb. 25 |
9:30 |
UNH – Social Work Undergraduates |
47/College |
|
Feb. 25 |
11:00 |
Wakefield Home School Group |
40 |
NOTICE
HOUSE EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
In past sessions, a plan was developed for the House Leadership to communicate with members of the House at night and at such other times as the members are at home.
In most emergencies the individual member will be aware that an emergency exists, though may be in doubt as to its extent.
The following procedure has been developed:
1. Notice of an emergency
message will be given to State Police Headquarters in
2. State Police Headquarters will send the message via computer to the stations listed.
3. Reliance will be placed on each individual legislator to call the terminal station nearest his or her home and inquire for any emergency message to legislators in times of emergency or suspected emergency. This will include, but not be limited to cancellation of sessions due to severe weather conditions.
|
Gilford |
Police Station |
527-4737 |
|
|
Police Station |
524-5252 |
|
|
Police Station |
352-2222 |
|
|
Police Station |
448-1212 |
|
|
Police Station |
668-8711 |
|
|
Police Station |
594-3500 |
|
|
Police Station |
225-8600 |
|
|
|
679-2225 |
|
|
Police Station |
427-1500 |
|
|
Police Station |
742-4646 |
|
|
Police Station |
542-9538 |
|
|
Police Station |
863-3232 |
|
|
Police Station |
424-2222 |
|
|
Police Station |
893-1911 |
|
Ossipee |
|
539-2284 |
|
|
Police Station |
432-6111 |
In addition to the above listed numbers you can also call the numbers listed below nearest you.
State Police
Headquarters
Department of Safety
Tel: 271-3636
|
Rockingham
& Strafford Counties |
|
|
Troop - A |
Troop - B |
|
Route 125 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tel: 679-3333 |
Tel: 672-3333 |
|
|
|
|
Cheshire
& Sullivan Counties |
|
|
Troop - C |
Department of Safety |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tel: 358-3333 |
Tel: 271-3636 |
|
|
|
|
Belknap & Carroll Counties |
Coos & Grafton Counties |
|
Troop - E |
Troop - F |
|
|
|
|
W. |
|
|
Tel: 323-3333 |
Tel: 846-3333 |
Also in the event members wish to obtain road or weather
conditions during periods of inclement weather they should call the nearest
Troop Station to their residence or Headquarters Communications in
The caller should specify the information he or she wishes to obtain. This information should be readily available to communications personnel and every effort will be made to accommodate these requests in a timely manner.
Please be advised when calling State Police Headquarters to call 271-3636 and not any of the 800 lines, which are used for emergency purposes only.
A toll-free road conditions on all state roads is available at 511.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12
AMENDMENTS
(LISTED IN NUMERICAL ORDER)
2009-0156h
Amendment to CACR 4
Proposed by the Majority of the Committee
on Election Law - R
Amend the resolution by replacing paragraph I with the following:
I. That article 11 of the first part of the constitution be amended to read as follows:
[Art.] 11. [Elections and Elective Franchises.] All elections are to be free, and every inhabitant of the state of 18 years of age and upwards shall have an equal right to vote in any election. A person who is 17 years of age may vote in a primary election preceding a general election at which such person will be 18 years of age. Every person shall be considered an inhabitant for the purposes of voting in the town, ward, or unincorporated place where he or she has his or her domicile. No person shall have the right to vote under the constitution of this state who has been convicted of treason, bribery, or any willful violation of the election laws of this state or of the United States; but the supreme court may, on notice to the attorney general, restore the privilege to vote to any person who may have forfeited it by conviction of such offenses. The general court shall provide by law for voting by qualified voters who at the time of the biennial or state elections, or of the primary elections therefor, or of city elections, or of town elections by official ballot, are absent from the city or town of which they are inhabitants, or who by reason of physical disability are unable to vote in person, in the choice of any officer or officers to be elected or upon any question submitted at such election. Voting registration and polling places shall be easily accessible to all persons including disabled and elderly persons who are otherwise qualified to vote in the choice of any officer or officers to be elected or upon any question submitted at such election. The right to vote shall not be denied to any person because of the nonpayment of any tax. Every inhabitant of the state, having the proper qualifications, has equal right to be elected into office.
Amend the resolution by replacing paragraph IV with the following:
IV. That the wording of the question put to the qualified voters shall be:
“Are you in favor of amending article 11 of the first part of the constitution to read as follows:
[Art.] 11. [Elections and Elective Franchises.] All elections are to be free, and every inhabitant of the state of 18 years of age and upwards shall have an equal right to vote in any election. A person who is 17 years of age may vote in a primary election preceding a general election at which such person will be 18 years of age. Every person shall be considered an inhabitant for the purposes of voting in the town, ward, or unincorporated place where he or she has his or her domicile. No person shall have the right to vote under the constitution of this state who has been convicted of treason, bribery, or any willful violation of the election laws of this state or of the United States; but the supreme court may, on notice to the attorney general, restore the privilege to vote to any person who may have forfeited it by conviction of such offenses. The general court shall provide by law for voting by qualified voters who at the time of the biennial or state elections, or of the primary elections therefor, or of city elections, or of town elections by official ballot, are absent from the city or town of which they are inhabitants, or who by reason of physical disability are unable to vote in person, in the choice of any officer or officers to be elected or upon any question submitted at such election. Voting registration and polling places shall be easily accessible to all persons including disabled and elderly persons who are otherwise qualified to vote in the choice of any officer or officers to be elected or upon any question submitted at such election. The right to vote shall not be denied to any person because of the nonpayment of any tax. Every inhabitant of the state, having the proper qualifications, has equal right to be elected into office.”
2009-0108h
Amendment to HB 40
Proposed by the Committee on Executive
Departments and Administration - C
Amend RSA 151:33, VI as inserted by section 1 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
VI. In addition to other fines and penalties imposed under this chapter, the commissioner, after notice and the opportunity for hearing, pursuant to rules adopted under RSA 541-A, may impose an administrative fine of up to $1,000 for each day of noncompliance upon any hospital required to report infection rates under this section.
2009-2213h
Amendment to HB 58
Proposed by the Committee on Resources,
Recreation and Development - C
Amend RSA 483:15, XVI (d)-(e) as inserted by section 1 of the bill by replacing them with the following:
(d) As a
community river from Little Falls Bridge crossing in
(e) As a rural-community river from
2009-0139h
Amendment to HB 69
Proposed by the Committee on Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs - C
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
1 Health Care Data; User Fees. Amend RSA 126:30 to read as follows:
126:30 User Fees. Any person[, other than those covered by
the fee provisions of RSA 151-C:15, I,] requesting copies of data or
statistical information filed with the department of health and human services
under RSA [126 or] 126:25, RSA 141-B,
or
RSA 420-G:11, II(a)(1) shall pay to the department a fee established by
the commissioner of health and human services pursuant to RSA 126:27,
IV. The fee shall reflect the full costs
of preparing the data for release, including the cost of personnel time,
computer and any related expenses associated with fulfilling the request, and
shall include a portion of the costs to collect, consolidate, and maintain these
data sets under RSA 126:25, RSA 141-B, or RSA 420-G:11, II(a)(1). Fees paid under this section shall be
deposited into a revolving account which shall not lapse and shall be used in
administering the responsibilities of the department of health and human
services under this subdivision and RSA 420-G:11, II(a)(1). Those persons covered by the fee provisions
of RSA 151‑C:15 shall be exempt from fees under this subdivision for
data filed under RSA 126:25 or RSA 141-B.
Fees paid under this section are intended to support the data collection
responsibilities within the department of health and human services and shall
not generate a profit. Fees shall be
reasonable and charged on a sliding scale considering the volume of data
requested, the intended purpose or use of the data requested, and the
requestor’s ability to pay. Nothing in
this section shall be interpreted or applied as a barrier to accessing these
data sets.
2 Health Care Data; Rulemaking. Amend RSA 126:27, IV to read as follows:
IV. User fees
which shall be assessed persons requesting data under RSA 126:28, RSA 126:30,
[and] RSA 141-B:9, and RSA 420-G:11-a, II. The fee scale shall reflect the volume of
data requested, the specific data set that is the subject of the request, and
the intended purpose and use of the data.
The fee schedule shall be tiered to reflect the requestor’s ability to
pay based on whether the requestor has not-for-profit status, is a commercial
entity, an educational or research entity, or a reseller/re-distributor of the
data.
3 Report Required. One year after the adoption of the rules required under RSA 126:27, IV, the commissioner of the department of health and human services shall make a report to the oversight committee on health and human services, established in RSA 126-A:13, relative to the volume of data requests received, fees assessed for each request, and the operation of the fee schedule.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2010.
2009-0037h
Amendment to HB 102
Proposed by the Committee on Resources,
Recreation and Development - C
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT relative to the rivers management and protection program.
Amend the bill by replacing section 1 with the following:
1 Rivers Management and Protection Program; Statement of Policy. Amend RSA 483:1 to read as follows:
483:1 Statement of
Policy.
Amend the bill by replacing section 3 with the following:
3 Nomination; Criteria. Amend RSA 483:6, I to read as follows:
I. Any
Amend RSA 483:8, IV as inserted by section 5 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
IV. Any
vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the
remainder of the unexpired term. Members
may hold office until their successors are appointed and confirmed.
Amend RSA 483:8-a, III (d) as inserted by section 6 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
(d) To report
[annually] biennially to the advisory committee and the commissioner, and
annually to municipalities on the status of compliance with federal and
state laws and regulations, local ordinances, and plans relevant to the
designated river or segment [and], its corridor, and tributary drainage areas.
Amend RSA 483:13, III-IV as inserted by section 11 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
III. [Local river management advisory
committees may apply for and accept, from any source, gifts, grants, and
donations of money. The committees may,
without further authorization, expend any funds so received to carry out their
duties pursuant to RSA 483:8-a.] The commissioner may expend any funds
deposited in the rivers management and protection fund for the purposes of this
chapter, and such funds are hereby continually appropriated.
IV. The commissioner shall submit a biennial
report by October 1 to the chairperson of the house resources, recreation and
development committee, and the chairperson of the senate energy, environment,
and economic development committee summarizing all receipts and disbursements
of the rivers management and protection fund, including a description of all
projects or activities undertaken. Each
report shall be in such detail with sufficient information to be fully
understood by the general court and the public. After submission to the general
court, the report shall be available to the public.
Amend RSA 483:14, II as inserted by section 12 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
II. No state-owned property included in a
long-range river management plan shall be disposed of by the state except upon
the review and recommendation of the advisory committee.
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill clarifies certain provisions of the rivers management and protection program, the membership on advisory committees, and the funding of programs.
2009-0129h
Amendment to HB 105
Proposed by the Committee on Election Law -
C
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
1 Electronic Ballot Counting Devices. Amend the section heading preceding RSA 656:40 to read as follows:
[Voting Machines] Electronic
Ballot Counting Devices
2 Electronic Ballot Counting Devices; Adoption and Approval. Amend RSA 656:40 and RSA 656:41 to read as follows:
656:40 Adoption. The mayor and aldermen of any city or the
selectmen of any town, subject to the approval of the ballot law commission,
may authorize the use of one or more [voting machines or] electronic
ballot counting devices for [computerized casting and] the
counting of ballots in such city or town on a trial basis for any regular or
special election and pay the expense of such trial from any available funds. The use of such [machines or] devices
so authorized shall be valid for all purposes. Any town, or the mayor and aldermen of any
city, may vote to lease or purchase [voting machines or] electronic
ballot counting devices for the elections held in said town or city. Any town, or the mayor and aldermen of any
city, so acting shall notify the secretary of state of the action taken in
regard to [voting machines or] electronic ballot counting devices;
and, after said action, [voting machines or] electronic ballot counting
devices shall be used in said town or city in accordance with said vote or
authorization. [Notwithstanding any
vote of adoption of voting machines, the mayor and aldermen of any city or the
selectmen of any town may petition the ballot law commission to allow the use
of paper ballots in any one or more elections.]
656:41 Approval by
Ballot Law Commission. The ballot law
commission shall act as a board to examine [voting machines and] devices
for [computerized casting and] the electronic counting of ballots. The commission shall, whenever requested, examine
any [voting machine or] device which may be capable of meeting the
requirements for elections held in this state. The commission shall approve such [voting
machine or] device in its discretion, and no [voting machine or]
device shall be used in any election in this state unless it reads the voter’s
choice on a paper ballot and is of a type so approved by the ballot law
commission. Any [voting machine or]
device that is altered must be re-approved before it is used in any election in
this state. For the purposes of this
section, a [machine] device shall be considered altered
if any mechanical or electronic part, hardware, software, or programming has
been altered.
3 Electronic Ballot Counting Devices. Amend RSA 656:42, I-V to read as follows:
I. The ballot law commission shall make such
rules as may be necessary to ensure the accuracy of [voting machines or]
electronic
ballot counting devices, including rules for the testing of [voting
machines or] electronic ballot counting devices prior to each election and
the submission of testing records to the secretary of state. The ballot law commission shall make such
rules as may be necessary in order that [voting machines or] electronic
ballot counting devices [for computerized casting and counting of
ballots] may be used in this state in such a manner that the election laws
may be complied with as far as possible. Said commission shall have the power and
authority in making rules to declare certain laws relative to distribution and
marking of ballots and other requirements inconsistent with the use of [voting
machines or] electronic ballot counting devices ineffective in towns and
cities adopting such a method of voting. The presiding officer at each polling place
shall enforce the rules of the ballot law commission made under the authority
of this section.
II. Consistent
with the rules of the ballot law commission the secretary of state shall
include protocols for the testing of [voting machines] electronic
ballot counting devices in the election manual authorized by RSA
652:22. Each [machine] device
shall be tested after installation and prior to each election.
III. Any company,
partnership, proprietorship, or other person, wherever located, which supplies,
maintains, or programs [voting machines] electronic ballot counting devices
which are used in elections in
IV. Each person described in paragraph III shall designate, in writing, an agent for service of all process, including, but not limited to summonses, writs, orders, petitions, and subpoenas, and shall agree in writing that the attorney general, in conjunction with any election investigation, may inspect its records, machines or other devices, and premises.
V. Any such person
described in paragraph III who fails to properly program and test [voting
machines] electronic ballot counting devices shall be liable to reimburse
the state for the cost of any recount which is necessitated by such failure.
4 Electronic Ballot Counting Devices. Amend RSA 656:43 to read as follows:
656:43 Lease or
Purchase. Any town or city authorizing
the use of [a voting machine or a] electronic ballot counting device
for [computerized casting and] the counting of ballots shall pay
the cost of lease or purchase. When such
a [machine or] device is purchased by a town or city, the person from
whom such [machine] device is purchased shall give to
the secretary of state a suitable bond with sufficient sureties to keep such [machine]
device
in good working order for not less than 2 years at the seller’s own expense.
5 Electronic Ballot Counting Devices. Amend RSA 659:23, II to read as follows:
II. The provisions
of paragraph I shall not apply in cities and towns which use one or more [voting
machines or] electronic ballot counting devices for [computerized casting
and] the counting of ballots, as provided in RSA 656:40.
6 Electronic Ballot Counting Devices. Amend RSA 659:42 to read as follows:
659:42 Tampering With
Voting Machines. Whoever shall tamper
with or injure or attempt to injure any [voting machine or] electronic
ballot counting device for the [computerized casting and] counting of ballots to be used or being used
in an election or whoever shall prevent or attempt to prevent the correct
operation of such [machine or] device or whoever shall tamper with
software used in the [casting or] counting of ballots or design such
software so as to cause incorrect tabulation of the ballots or any unauthorized
person who shall make or have in his or her possession a key to [a voting
machine] an electronic ballot counting device to be used or being used in an election shall
be guilty of a class B felony if a natural person or guilty of a felony if any
other person.
7 Repeal. RSA 656:43-a, relative to voting machine replacement, is repealed.
8 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill replaces the term “voting machines or devices” with “electronic ballot counting devices.” This bill also eliminates references in the voting machine enabling laws to machines or devices for casting ballots.
2009-0097h
Amendment to HB 113
Proposed by the Committee on Health, Human
Services and Elderly Affairs - R
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
An act extending the moratorium on nursing home beds and rehabilitation beds.
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
1 Certificate of Need; Nursing Home Beds; Rehabilitation Beds; Moratorium Extended. Amend RSA 151-C:4, III(a) to read as follows:
III.(a) No new certificate
of need shall be granted by the board for any nursing home, skilled nursing
facility, intermediate care facility, or rehabilitation facility from the
effective date of chapter 310, laws of 1995, department of health and human
services reorganization act, through the period ending June 30, [2009,] 2012. This moratorium shall also apply to new
certificates of need regarding any rehabilitation bed in any type of facility, including
rehabilitation hospitals and facilities offering comprehensive rehabilitation
services. However, [except
that] a certificate of need shall be issued for replacement or renovation
of existing beds as necessary to meet life safety code requirements or to
remedy deficiencies noted in a licensing inspection pursuant to RSA 151 or
state survey and certification process pursuant to titles XVIII and XIX of the
Social Security Act. In
addition, a certificate of need may be issued for construction or renovation as
necessary to repair or refurbish an existing facility, or to accommodate
additional beds obtained by transfer to an existing facility. In the case of repair, refurbishment, or
transferred beds, the resulting costs in
excess of the current capital expenditure threshold as adjusted for inflation
pursuant to RSA 151-C:5, II(f)(1) shall not be reflected in any state Medicaid
rate.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill extends the moratoriums on nursing home beds and rehabilitation beds until June 30, 2012.
2009-0105h
Amendment to HB 119
Proposed by the Minority of the Committee
on Commerce and Consumer Affairs - R
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT establishing a commission to study the feasibility of adopting Atlantic Daylight Saving Time from June 15 to September 15 of each year.
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
1 Commission Established. There is established a commission to study the feasibility of adopting Atlantic Daylight Saving Time from June 15 to September 15 of each year.
2 Membership and Compensation.
I. The members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) One member of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(c) The commissioner of the department of resources and economic development, or designee.
(d) One representative of the tourism industry, appointed by the governor.
(e) One representative of the New Hampshire Golf Association, nominated by the association and appointed by the governor.
II. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation, except that legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
3 Duties. The commission shall consider the
feasibility, costs, and benefits of adopting Atlantic Daylight Saving Time in
the state of
4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Three members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
5 Report. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2009.
6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a commission to study the feasibility of adopting Atlantic Daylight Saving Time from June 15 to September 15 of each year.
2009-0057h
Amendment to HB 130
Proposed by the Committee on Resources, Recreation
and Development - C
Amend RSA 477:22-a as inserted by section 1 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
477:22-a Enforceability
of
2009-0023h
Amendment to HB 142
Proposed by the Majority of the Committee
on Municipal and
Amend RSA 41:11-a, III as inserted by section 1 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
III. Notwithstanding paragraph II, the legislative body may vote to authorize the board of selectmen to rent or lease municipal property for a term of up to 5 years without further vote or ratification of the town. Once adopted, this authority shall remain in effect until specifically rescinded by the legislative body at any duly warned meeting provided that the term of any lease entered into prior to the rescission shall remain in effect.
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill allows municipalities to extend the leases of municipal property for up to 5 years.
2009-0157h
Amendment to HB 168
Proposed by the Committee on Executive
Departments and Administration - C
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
1 Electrician’s Fees; Transfer to General Fund. Amend RSA 319-C:6-b to read as follows:
319-C:6-b Fees. The board, with the approval of the
commissioner of safety, shall establish application fees for examination of
applicants, fees for licensure, for renewal, and for late renewal of licenses
to practice under this chapter, and for transcribing and transferring records
and other services. The fee for
examination shall not include fees charged by and paid to an examination entity
approved by the board. The fees
established by the board shall be sufficient to produce estimated revenues
equal to 125 percent of the direct operating expenses of the board for the
previous fiscal year. Fees collected
shall be deposited in the [fire standards and training and emergency medical
services] general fund[, established in RSA 21-P:12-d,] and used
for the purposes of operating expenses of the electricians’ board. [Fees collected in excess of actual
operating expenses shall be deposited in the general fund as unrestricted
revenue.]
2 Repeal. The following are repealed:
I. RSA 319-C:11, relative to moneys deposited in the fire standards and training and emergency medical services fund.
II. RSA 6:12,II(201), relative to moneys deposited in the electricians’ board account.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2009.
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill:
I. Transfers certain electrician’s fees to the general fund.
II. Repeals certain distributions of electrician’s fees to the fire standards and training and emergency medical services fund.
2009-0098h
Amendment to HB 172
Proposed by the Committee on Executive
Departments and Administration - C
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT allowing naturopathic doctors to dispense prescription drugs which are within their scope of practice.
Amend the bill by replacing section 1 with the following:
1 Prescription Drugs; Naturopathic Doctors Added. Amend RSA 318:42, II to read as follows:
II. Physicians, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, veterinarians, advanced registered nurse practitioners, naturopathic doctors, and physician assistants from possessing, compounding, personally administering, or distributing prescription drugs to meet the immediate medical needs of their patients. For advanced registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants, compounding shall be limited according to RSA 318:42, VIII. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the dispensing of noncontrolled prescription drugs by an authorized agent of a veterinarian for an animal under the agent’s care, provided that the drugs were compounded by or under the supervision of the licensed veterinarian.
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill allows naturopathic doctors to dispense prescription drugs which are within their scope of practice as defined under RSA 328-E:4.
2009-0052h
Amendment to HB 234
Proposed by the Committee on Health, Human
Services and Elderly Affairs - C
Amend the bill by replacing section 3 with the following:
3 Duties. The committee shall study the entire certificate of need statute (RSA 151-C), including, but not limited to the scope of regulation, standards of need, procedures, board membership, services regulated, financial thresholds for regulation, and any other aspect of the certificate of need process that the committee determines warrants review.
2009-0183h
Amendment to HB 239-LOCAL
Proposed by the Committee on Municipal and
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
1 Town or District Bonds or Notes. Amend RSA 33:8 to read as follows:
33:8 Town or District
Bonds or Notes. Except as otherwise
specifically provided by law, the issue of bonds or notes by any municipal
corporation, except a city or a town which has adopted a charter pursuant to
RSA 49-B, without a budgetary town meeting, and except a school district or
municipality which has adopted official ballot voting procedures pursuant to
RSA 40:13 shall be authorized by a vote by ballot of 2/3, and the issue of tax
anticipation notes, by a vote of a majority, of all the voters present and
voting at an annual or special meeting of such corporation, called for the
purpose. The issue of notes or bonds by
a school district or municipality which has adopted official ballot voting
procedures pursuant to RSA 40:13 shall be authorized by a vote of 3/5. The issue of notes or bonds by a municipality
that has adopted an optional form of legislative body under RSA 49-D:3, I-a or
RSA 49-D:3, II-a shall be authorized by either a 2/3 or 3/5 vote as adopted and
provided for in the charter. If such
charter does not specify which majority vote is required, then the required
majority vote shall be 2/3. Only votes
in the affirmative or negative shall be included in the calculation of any
majority. No such action taken at any
special meeting shall be valid unless a majority of all the legal voters are
present and vote at such special meeting, unless the governing board of any
municipality shall petition the superior court for permission to hold an
emergency special meeting, which, if granted, shall give said special meeting
the same authority as an annual meeting.
The warrant for a special meeting shall be published once in a newspaper
having a general circulation in the municipality within one week after the
posting of such special meeting. The
warrant for any such annual or special meeting shall be served or posted at
least 14 days before the date of such special meeting. Every warrant shall be deemed to have been
duly served or posted, if the return on the warrant shall so state, and it
shall be certified by the officer or officers required to serve or post the
same. All bonds or notes, authorized in
accordance with this chapter, shall be signed by the governing board, or a
majority of the governing board, and countersigned by the treasurer of the
municipality, and shall have the corporate seal, if any, affixed to it. The discretion of fixing the date,
maturities, denominations, the interest rate, or discount rate in the case of
notes, the place of payment, the form and other details of said bonds or notes
and of providing for the sale of such bonds or notes, may be delegated to the
governing board or to the treasurer and shall, to the extent provision therefor
shall not have been made in the vote authorizing the same, be deemed to have
been delegated to the governing board. Bonding
authority under this section may be limited or rescinded as provided in RSA
33:8-f.
2 New Paragraph; Procedure for Authorizing Bonds or Notes in Excess of $100,000. Amend RSA 33:8-a by inserting after paragraph IV the following new paragraph:
V. Bonding authority under this section may be limited or rescinded as provided in RSA 33:8-f.
3 New Section; Procedures to Limit or Rescind Bonding Authority for Bonds or Notes. Amend RSA 33 by inserting after section 8-e the following new section:
33:8-f Procedures to Limit or Rescind Bonding Authority for Bonds or Notes.
I. In any vote to approve bonding authority, a town may limit the length of time the bond authorization remains valid. If, after the expiration of any such period, no bond or note has been issued, the bonding authority shall be considered for all purposes as rescinded.
II. A town may vote at an annual meeting to rescind an authorized but unissued bond or note following the same procedures as would be required to adopt such bond or note, provided that:
(a) A vote to rescind shall not take place less than 5 years after the vote to authorize the bond or note;
(b) The vote to rescind must pass by the same majority required, at the time of the rescission vote, to adopt a bond or note; and
(c) Notwithstanding RSA 33:8-a, II, a warrant article proposing the rescission of a bond or note in excess of $100,000 need not be acted upon prior to other business.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2010.
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a municipal bond rescission process for bonds and notes.
2009-0132h
Amendment to HB 276-FN
Proposed by the Committee on Election Law -
R
Amend RSA 659:27 as inserted by section 1 of the bill by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph:
III. No voter or appointed challenger shall challenge a person’s qualifications to be a voter at the election day voter registration table.
Amend RSA 659:27-a, I as inserted by section 2 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
I. No challenge may be asserted except in the form of a signed affidavit, under oath administered by an election official, in the following form:
INFORMATION ON THE PERSON MAKING THE CHALLENGE
Name of Person Making the Challenge:
___________________________________________________________________________________
Last Name First Name Middle Name/initial
___________________________________________________________________________________
Party affiliation
___________________________________________________________________________________
If person making a challenge is a voter: Physical Address – Street Name & Number
___________________________________________________________________________________
If person is a political party or attorney general appointee: mailing address & phone number
___________________________________________________________________________________
The challenger’s qualifications to assert the challenge
INFORMATION ON THE VOTER BEING CHALLENGED: The person making the challenge shall complete the following:
Name being used by the voter who you wish to challenge:
_________________________________________________________________________________
Last Name First Name Middle Name
GROUNDS FOR THE CHALLENGE: The person making the challenge shall indicate the ground on which the challenge is made (check all grounds that apply).
___ The person seeking to vote is not the individual whose name he or she has given
___ The person seeking to vote has already voted in the election at (name polling place) ____________ at approximately (state time if known) __________
___ The person seeking to vote is disqualified as a voter by conviction of a willful violation of the elections laws (state offense, court, and date of conviction) _______________________________________
___ The person seeking to vote is under 18 years of age
___ The person seeking to vote is not a United States Citizen
___ The person seeking to vote is not domiciled in the town or ward where he or she is seeking to vote (state persons true domicile —town/city) _____________________________________
___ The person seeking to vote is an incarcerated convicted felon who is currently sentenced to incarceration (state name of institution person is in) _________________________________________
___ This is a primary and the person seeking to vote in the (state political party name) __________ primary is not a declared member of the party he or she claims to be affiliated with
___ The person seeking to vote is ineligible to vote pursuant to the following state or federal statute or constitutional provision: _________________________________________
BASIS FOR THE CHALLENGE: The person making the challenge shall state the specific source of the information or personal knowledge upon which the challenge of the particular individual is based:
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
OATH: The person making the challenge shall complete the following:
I hereby swear and affirm, under the penalties of perjury, that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information above is true and correct.
____________________
(Signature of challenger)
On the date shown above, before me, __________ (print name of notary public, justice of the peace, election officer), appeared __________ (print name of person whose signature is being notarized), (known to me or satisfactorily proven (circle one)) to be the person whose name appears above, and he or she subscribed his or her name to the foregoing affidavit and swore that the facts contained in this affidavit are true to the best of his or her knowledge and belief.
____________________
Notary Public/Justice of the Peace/Official Authorized by RSA 659:30
TO BE COMPLETED BY THE MODERATOR: Ruling on the challenge:
If the ground at issue is age, citizenship, or domicile: The supervisors of the checklist have ruled that the challenged voter is: qualified as a voter; not qualified as a voter.
The moderator rules on challenges based on other grounds. The Moderator rules that the challenge is: well grounded; not well grounded. If it is ruled that the voter is not qualified or that the challenge is well grounded, the challenged person may vote only if he or she completes and swears to a challenged votes affidavit.
Amend RSA 659:27-a, II(c) as inserted by section 2 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
(c) The person seeking to vote is disqualified as a voter by conviction of a willful violation of the elections laws, such conviction having been for the offense specified in the challenge.
Amend RSA 659:27-a, II(f) as inserted by section 2 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
(f) The person seeking to vote is not domiciled in the town or ward where he or she is seeking to vote because the person’s true domicile is in the town or city specified in the challenge.
Amend RSA 659:27-a, II(g) as inserted by section 2 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
(g) The person seeking to vote is an incarcerated convicted felon who is currently sentenced to incarceration in the institution specified in the challenge.
Amend the bill by replacing section 4 with the following:
4 Absentee Ballots; Announcement by Moderator and Challenges. Amend RSA 659:50 and RSA 659:51 to read as follows:
659:50 Announcement by Moderator. The moderator shall begin processing absentee ballots by clearly announcing that he or she is about to open the envelopes which were delivered to him or her. The moderator shall then remove the affidavit envelope containing the ballots of each absentee voter and shall compare the signature on the affidavit envelope with the signature on the application for the ballot. If:
I. The name of the voter is on the checklist, except for voters provided for in RSA 7:46; and
II. The affidavit on the envelope appears to be properly executed; and
III. The signature on the affidavit appears to be executed by the same person who signed the application; and
IV. The signatures appear to be the signatures of a duly qualified voter who has not voted at the election; then the moderator shall publicly announce the name of the absentee voter, except for voters provided for in RSA 7:46. If these conditions are not met, the moderator shall follow the procedure provided in RSA 659:53.
659:51 Challenges.
I.
All absentee ballots are subject to challenge after the moderator
publicly announces the name of the absentee voter, except for voters provided for
in RSA 7:46, but not after the ballot is removed from the
envelope. [A person who makes a
challenge shall state the reason for the challenge.] No challenge to an absentee ballot may be
asserted except in conformity with the requirements of RSA 659:27-a.
II. If the ballot is challenged, the moderator shall write on the affidavit envelope containing the ballot the word “challenged’’ and the name and address of the person who makes the challenge and the basis of the challenge. The moderator shall also number each challenged envelope consecutively by marking, for example, the first challenged ballot “Challenged Ballot No. 1’’.
III. The moderator shall then determine if the
challenge to the ballot is well grounded.
If the moderator decides the challenge is well grounded, he or
she shall not open the envelope but shall preserve it with the other
ballots cast at the election as provided in RSA 659:101. If the moderator decides that the challenge
is not well grounded, he or she shall open the affidavit
envelope so the affidavit thereon is not destroyed and proceed first to mark on
the reverse of the folded ballot the corresponding challenge number as
previously marked on the envelope. [He]
The
moderator shall then proceed to deposit the ballot as provided in RSA
659:52.
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill establishes additional requirements for challenging voters, including a challenge affidavit, and establishes penalties for prohibited challenges.
2009-0063h
Amendment to HB 282-FN-A
Proposed by the Committee on Executive
Departments and Administration - C
Amend the bill by replacing sections 1-2 with the following:
1 Medical/Vision Advisory Board; Compensation. Amend RSA 263:6-b, I to read as follows:
I. In order to
advise the director on medical criteria for the reporting and examination of
drivers with medical impairments, a medical/vision advisory board is hereby
established within the division. The
board shall be composed of 3 members appointed by the director. Two of the members of the board shall be
licensed physicians and residents of this state, and one member of the board
shall be a licensed optometrist and a resident of this state. Of the original appointees, one shall serve
for a term of 2 years and 2 shall serve for terms of 4 years. Subsequent appointees shall each serve for a
term of 4 years or until their successors are appointed and approved. Any vacancy shall be filled in the same
manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the term. The members of the board shall receive [no]
$50
compensation per diem for their services and shall not hire any staff
personnel but shall be paid mileage when attending to the duties of the
committee at the maximum rate established in the Internal Revenue Code and
regulations. After the first full year
of operation of the advisory board, the board shall meet [no more than 4
times per year] as needed.
2 Appropriation. The sum of $1 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, and $1 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, are hereby appropriated to the department of safety, division of motor vehicles for the purpose of paying the compensation and mileage of the medical/vision advisory board. These appropriations are in addition to any other funds appropriated to the department of safety. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
2009-0174h
Amendment to HB 292
Proposed by the Committee on Election Law -
C
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
Amend RSA 15-A:3 as inserted by section 6 of the bill by deleting paragraph III.
Amend RSA 15-B:2, V(b)(6) as inserted by section 7 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
(6) Money in any form, an object, or any tangible or intangible thing or service of economic value, where the donor’s act of giving is purely private and personal in nature and the money, object, or tangible or intangible thing or service of economic value would have been given and received even if the person were not an elected official, public official, public employee, constitutional official, or legislative employee.
Amend the bill by deleting sections 8-15 and renumbering the original sections 16-17 to read as 8-9, respectively.
Amend the bill by inserting after section 8 the following and renumbering the original section 9 to read as 10:
9 New Section; Filing Officer. Amend RSA 21-G by inserting after section 28 the following new section:
21-G:28-a Filing Officer; Appointment; Duties and Responsibilities.
I. The secretary of state shall designate an employee of the department of state as the state filing officer, who shall be responsible for the administration of this subdivision.
II. The filing officer shall:
(a) Review the administrative requirements of this subdivision and the submission of forms pursuant to RSA 15-A and RSA 15-B.
(b) Communicate with all candidates for public office and all executive branch officials on the administrative requirements of this subdivision and the submission of forms pursuant to RSA 15‑A and RSA 15-B.
(c) Respond to any inquiries from candidates for public office and executive branch officials on the administrative requirements of this subdivision and the submission of forms pursuant to RSA 15-A and RSA 15-B.
(d) Make or forward complaints alleging violations of the provisions of the state ethics code to the attorney general or the executive branch ethics committee, established under RSA 21‑G:29.
III. The state filing officer shall not be authorized to render legal advice.
IV. The state filing officer shall attend meetings of the legislative ethics committee, the executive branch ethics committee, and any other ethics committees or commissions established by statute.
V. Any state agency, commission, or committee authorized by statute to issue opinions interpreting a state ethics law shall submit a copy of any written decision or opinion to the state filing officer and to the secretary of state. Such written decisions or opinions may be redacted prior to submission in order to protect confidential or nonpublic information.
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill:
I. Modifies financial disclosure requirements for legislators.
II. Modifies the applicability of lobbyist regulation statutes and reporting requirements for lobbyists.
III. Exempts certain executive branch volunteers from the financial disclosure requirements.
IV. Modifies exemptions from the definition of “gift” for purposes of prohibitions on certain gifts to public officials.
V. Requires executive branch entities to submit lists of volunteers to the secretary of state.
VI. Requires the secretary of state to designate an employee as the state filing officer.
2009-0089h
Amendment to HB 432-FN
Proposed by the Committee on Election Law -
C
Amend the bill by replacing section 2 with the following:
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
2009-0031h
Amendment to HB 460
Proposed by the Committee on Public Works
and Highways - C
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
1 New Subdivision; Bureau of Visitor Service. Amend RSA 228 by inserting after section 105 the following new subdivision:
228:106 Bureau
Established. There is hereby established
under the department of resources and economic development a bureau of visitor
service to carry out the recommendations made by the department of resources
and economic development and the department of transportation under 2008, 32:1,
relative to
2 New Paragraphs;
Recommendations for
IV-a. Explore a request for proposal process.
IV-b. Explore the
revenue generating service models on the north and south sides of Route 93 in
the town of
3 Recommendations for
V. Report their
findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the
house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the
senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, [2008]
2009.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill establishes the bureau of visitor service under the department of resources and economic development. This bill also expands the duties of the department of resources and economic development and the department of transportation relative to their study on rest areas and welcome centers pursuant to 2008, 323.
This bill was requested by the department of resources and economic development and the department of transportation.
2009-0125h
Amendment to HB 476-FN
Proposed by the Committee on Executive
Departments and Administration - R
Amend the bill by replacing section 15 with the following:
15 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
2009-0163h
Amendment to HB 508
Proposed by the Committee on Finance - C
Amend the bill by replacing section 1 with the following:
1 New Paragraph; Membership. Amend RSA 28-B:1 by inserting after paragraph IV the following new paragraph:
V. Three members of the legislature, 2 of whom shall be members of the house, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, and one of whom shall be a member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate, whose terms shall be coterminous with their terms in office.