CHAPTER 55

HB 794-FN – FINAL VERSION

16Jan2008… 2635h

2008 SESSION

07-0010

03/04

HOUSE BILL 794-FN

AN ACT establishing a commission to study the feasibility of public funding of state election campaigns.

SPONSORS: Rep. Splaine, Rock 16; Rep. Hilliard, Straf 2; Rep. B. Richardson, Ches 5; Rep. P. Allen, Ches 6; Rep. Hall, Hills 5; Sen. Cilley, Dist 6

COMMITTEE: Election Law

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a commission to study the feasibility of public funding of state election campaigns.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

16Jan2008… 2635h

07-0010

03/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eight

AN ACT establishing a commission to study the feasibility of public funding of state election campaigns.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

55:1 Commission Established. There is established a commission to study the feasibility of public funding of state election campaigns.

55:2 Membership.

I. The members of the commission shall be as follows:

(a) Two members appointed by the president of the senate, no more than one of whom shall be a member of the same political party.

(b) Two members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, no more than one of whom shall be a member of the same political party.

(c) Two members appointed by the governor, no more than one of whom shall be a member of the same political party.

(d) One member appointed by the secretary of state.

II.(a) The president of the senate, speaker of the house of representatives, governor, and secretary of state shall seek to appoint members to the commission who have demonstrated support for a system of public funding of election campaigns and have knowledge or expertise in campaign financing or state budget issues.

(b) No commission member may simultaneously serve in an elected state office.

(c) No commission member may be a candidate for state elected office.

(d) No more than 3 members of the commission shall be members of the same party.

III. All appointments to the commission shall be made within 30 days of the effective date of this section. The secretary of state shall defer appointing a member under subparagraph I(d) until after the other members of the commission have been appointed, and shall utilize such appointment to ensure compliance with subparagraph II(d).

55:3 Duties. The commission shall examine potential revenue sources for public funding of state election campaigns and develop a recommendation to the general court for a plan to fund state election campaigns in a sustainable manner. The commission may not consider revenue from the state general fund in developing its plan, but may consider voluntary contributions, in-kind donations of services, and other means to generate revenue from public and private sources. The commission may also consider the legislative framework for a system of public funding of state election campaigns developed by the election law committee of the house of representatives, which the election law committee shall file with the secretary of state within 30 days of the effective date of this section.

55:4 Chairperson; Quorum. The commission shall elect a chairperson and other officers from among the members as necessary to fulfill its duties. The first meeting shall be called by the first-named member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the commission shall represent a quorum. The commission may seek assistance and staff support from any agency.

55:5 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 December 1, 2008.

55:6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved: May 16, 2008

Effective Date: May 16, 2008