281-A:62 Advisory Council. –
I. There is hereby established an advisory council on workers' compensation. The advisory council shall consist of 9 members: the commissioner or a designee; the insurance commissioner or a designee; one member of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house; one member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate; and 5 persons appointed by the governor and council, one representing the interests of management, who shall not have interests in the insurance field, one representing the interests of labor, one representing insurance interests of commercial workers' compensation carriers, one representing self-funded employers and one representing health care providers. The legislative members of the advisory council and the 5 members appointed by the governor and council shall be familiar with the workers' compensation laws of New Hampshire. Any person appointed by the governor and council who is not qualified or who ceases to be qualified in the capacity in which such person is serving on the advisory council shall be replaced by the governor and council. The advisory council shall discuss problems related to the administration of this chapter and shall discuss policy goals. The advisory council shall also ratify managed care programs established under RSA 281-A:23-a. The term of office of each member appointed by the governor and council shall be 3 years and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner and for the unexpired terms. Each member of the advisory council shall be reimbursed for necessary travel and other necessary expenses.
II. The council shall meet as necessary and shall annually review the performance of the workers' compensation system and issue a report of its findings and conclusions on or before January 1 of each year to the governor, the labor commissioner, the commissioner of insurance, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and appropriate committee chairs of both houses as to the status of the workers' compensation system. In performing its responsibilities, the council may:
(a) Make recommendations relating to the adoption of rules and necessary legislation.
(b) Develop recommendations regarding the method and form of statistical data collection.
(c) Monitor the performance of the workers' compensation system and monitor the implementation of legislative directives.
III. The department of labor and other state agencies shall cooperate with the council and shall provide necessary information and staff support.