CACR 4  - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2023 SESSION

23-0191

02/04

 

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 4

 

RELATING TO: compensation for legislators.

 

PROVIDING THAT: legislators' biennial salary compensation shall be increased.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Stapleton, Sull. 6; Rep. Stavis, Graf. 13; Rep. McWilliams, Merr. 30; Rep. Gallager, Merr. 20

 

COMMITTEE: Legislative Administration

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution increases the biennial compensation for legislators and increases additional compensation for attendance at special sessions, emergency sessions, and veto sessions.

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type

 

23-0191

02/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three

 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING CONSITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

 

RELATING TO: compensation for legislators.

 

PROVIDING THAT: legislators' biennial salary compensation shall be increased.

 

Be it Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring, that the

Constitution of New Hampshire be amended as follows:

 

I.  That article 15 of the second part of the constitution be amended to read as follows:

[Art.] 15.  [Compensation of the Legislature.]  The presiding officers of both houses of the legislature, shall severally receive out of the state treasury as compensation in full for their services for the term elected the sum of [$250] $6,250, and all other members thereof, seasonably attending and not departing without license, the sum of [$200] $5,000 and each member shall receive mileage for actual daily attendance on legislative days, but not after the legislature shall have been in session for 45 legislative days or after the first day of July following the annual assembly of the legislature, whichever occurs first; provided, however, that, when a special session shall be called by the governor or by a 2/3 vote of the then qualified members of each branch of the general court, or when emergency or veto sessions are convened, such officers and members shall receive for attendance an additional compensation of [$3] $75 per day for a period not exceeding 15 days and the usual mileage.  Nothing herein shall prevent the payment of additional mileage to members attending committee meetings or on other legislative business on nonlegislative days.  These compensation amounts shall be subject to periodic cost of living adjustments as determined by legislation and administered by the New Hampshire department of administrative services.

II.  That the above amendment proposed to the constitution be submitted to the qualified voters of the state at the state general election to be held in November, 2024.

III.  That the selectmen of all towns, cities, wards and places in the state are directed to insert in their warrants for the said 2024 election an article to the following effect:  To decide whether the amendments of the constitution proposed by the 2023 session of the general court shall be approved.

IV.  That the wording of the question put to the qualified voters shall be:

“[Art.] 15.  [Compensation of the Legislature.]  The presiding officers of both houses of the legislature, shall severally receive out of the state treasury as compensation in full for their services for the term elected the sum of $6,250, and all other members thereof, seasonably attending and not departing without license, the sum of $5,000 and each member shall receive mileage for actual daily attendance on legislative days, but not after the legislature shall have been in session for 45 legislative days or after the first day of July following the annual assembly of the legislature, whichever occurs first; provided, however, that, when a special session shall be called by the governor or by a 2/3 vote of the then qualified members of each branch of the general court, or when emergency or veto sessions are convened, such officers and members shall receive for attendance an additional compensation of $75 per day for a period not exceeding 15 days and the usual mileage.  Nothing herein shall prevent the payment of additional mileage to members attending committee meetings or on other legislative business on nonlegislative days.  These compensation amounts shall be subject to periodic cost of living adjustments as determined by legislation and administered by the New Hampshire department of administrative services.”

V.  That the secretary of state shall print the question to be submitted on a separate ballot with other constitutional questions or on the official ballot.  The ballot containing the question shall include 2 ovals next to the question allowing the voter to vote “Yes” or “No.”  If no oval is marked, the ballot shall not be counted on the question.  The outside of the ballot shall be the same as the regular official ballot except that the words “Questions Relating to Constitutional Amendments proposed by the 2023 General Court” shall be printed in bold type at the top of the ballot.

VI.  That if the proposed amendment is approved by 2/3 of those voting on the amendment, it becomes effective when the governor proclaims its adoption.

VII.  Voters' Guide.

AT THE PRESENT TIME, presiding officers of the legislature are compensated $250 per term, members of the legislature are compensated $200 per term, and officers and members are additionally compensated $3 per day for attendance during special sessions.

IF THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED, presiding officers of the legislature will be compensated $6,250 per term, members of the legislature will be compensated $5,000 per term, and officers and members will be additionally compensated $75 per day for attendance during special sessions, emergency sessions, or veto sessions.  The compensation amounts shall be subject to cost of living adjustments as determined by the legislature and administered by the department of administrative services.