CHAPTER Hab 100 ORGANIZATION
PART Hab 101 SCOPE AND APPLICABILITY OF RULES
Hab 101.01 Applicability and
Interpretation.
(a) These rules shall be applicable to all matters before the
board.
(b) These rules shall be interpreted to achieve consistent,
just, and expeditious disposition of all matters before the board in accordance
with the New Hampshire Constitution, the applicable statutes and case law.
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Hab 101.02 Absence of a Rule. These rules shall not limit the board's
statutory duties or powers. The absence
of a rule shall not limit the board's power to act pursuant to its statutory
authorization.
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PART Hab 102 DEFINITIONS
Hab 102.01 “Accident, mistake, or misfortune”
means something outside the party’s own control and not due to neglect, or something that reasonably
prudent person would not be expected to guard against or provide for.
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Hab 102.02 “Agent”
means an applicant’s representative who is not an attorney.
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Hab 102.03 “Appeal”
means any appeal of the final decisions of municipal boards, committees, and commissions regarding questions of housing and
housing development, including but not limited to:
(a)
Planning
board decisions on subdivisions or site plans;
(b) Board of adjustment decisions on variances, special
exceptions, equitable waivers, administrative appeals, and ordinance administration;
(c)
The use of innovative land use controls;
(d)
Growth
management controls and interim growth management controls;
(e) Decisions of historic district commissions,
heritage commissions, and conservation commissions;
(f) Other municipal permits and fees applicable to housing and
housing developments; and
(g) Matters subject to the board’s authority might
include mixed-use combinations of residential and nonresidential uses. Such
different uses might occur on separate properties, provided such properties are
all part of a common scheme of development.
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Hab 102.04 “Appeal Document” means any written
appeal within the jurisdiction of this housing appeals board.
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Hab 102.05 “Board” means the New Hampshire housing
appeals board.
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Hab 102.06 “Clerk” means clerk of the board or the
board-designated deputy clerk.
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Hab 102.07 “Costs”
means all fees, witness fees, attorney’s fees and expenses awardable by the
board pursuant to RSA 679:13.
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Hab 102.08 “Default”
means a party’s initial failure to comply, within the time set, with any board
request, order or rule.
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Hab 102.09 “Document”
means any written material filed with the board, including all appeals, petitions,
motions, letters, and memoranda excluding exhibits submitted at a hearing.
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Hab 102.10 “Ex parte
communication” means any direct or indirect communication with the board or an
board member
concerning a pending matter when all parties to the proceeding are not present
or when all parties have not been sent a copy of any written communication in
accordance with RSA 541-A:36.
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Hab 102.11 “Exhibit”
means any non-testimonial evidence submitted at a hearing or with a motion,
brief, or memorandum.
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Hab 102.12 “File”
means the date an appeal is received by the board and determined by the board
to be in compliance
with RSA 679.
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Hab 102.13 “Final
default” means a party’s failure to cure a default after having been advised by
the board of the default and after having been provided an opportunity to cure
the default within a set time in accordance with RSA 679:6, I.
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Hab 102.14 “Intervenor”
means any person who is an abutter to any land use application or any other
aggrieved or injured party who can demonstrate legal
standing pursuant to RSA 677:4, RSA 677:15, or RSA 541-A:32.
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Hab
102.15 “Leave” means written permission
granted by the board after the party has filed a motion for leave.
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Hab 102.16 “Municipal
consultant” means a person hired by a municipality to represent its interest in
a proceeding.
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Hab 102.17 “Municipality”
means the entity, including a town, city, county, or village district against
whom the appeal was filed.
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Hab 102.18 “Party”
means a person or entity so designated by the board in any matter before it.
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Hab 102.19 “Statistical reports” means any
document analyzing housing market data, or such other related matters.
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PART Hab 103 DESCRIPTION OF BOARD
Hab 103.01 Board’s Duties and Powers.
(a)
The
board’s general duties and powers are stated in RSA 679.
(b)
Pursuant
to RSA 679:7 the board has concurrent, appellate jurisdiction with the superior
court over all appeals concerning housing and housing development land
use appeals. Parties may appeal the
board’s decision to the supreme court under RSA 679:15 and RSA 541:4, 5, and 6.
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Hab 103.02 Board’s Operation.
(a)
The board’s telephone number is (603) 271-1198, and its website is https://hab.nh.gov. The board’s offices are located at:
Governor
Gallen State Office Park
Johnson
Hall
107
Pleasant Street
Concord,
NH 03301
(b) The office is open on all legal state work
days from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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PART Hab 104 REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION
Hab 104.01 Requests for Information.
(a) This section shall apply to any person intending to submit
requests for information such as copies of forms or rules, general questions,
or the status of a file. This rule shall
not apply to requests for rehearing, reconsideration, or clarification which is
governed by Hab 201.32.
(b) A request for information shall:
(1) Be in writing and submitted to the board’s clerk;
(2) Specifically cite the information requested;
(3) Be accompanied with a self-addressed, stamped
envelope, if applicable. If the stamped postage is insufficient to mail the
request, the person requesting the information shall pay additional postage
fees; and
(4) Be accompanied with the proper copying fees
under Hab 301.01, if applicable.
(c) A party may request information in person at
the board's offices. Requests that warrant additional time to compile shall be
in writing, allowing sufficient time for mailing.
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CHAPTER Hab 200 RULES OF PROCEDURE
PART Hab 201 RULES APPLICABLE TO BOARD ADJUDICATIVE
PROCEDURES
Hab 201.01 Purpose and Applicability.
(a) This chapter is intended to promote the just,
consistent, and efficient handling of all proceedings before the board.
(b) This part, as well as RSA 679:9 and Hab 101,
shall apply to all board proceedings except as specifically stated.
(c) Because the board's rules or governing
statutes address the requirements of RSA 541-A:30-a, the model rules in Jus 800 shall not apply to board procedures.
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Hab 201.02 Communications with the Board.
(a) All communications shall be addressed to the board
clerk or their designee and not to any board member.
(b) Ex parte communications
shall be strictly prohibited pursuant to RSA 541-A:36.
(c) All requests for board action shall be made in writing
and, when appropriate, by motion under Hab 201.16.
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Hab 201.03 Computation of Time.
(a) In computing any period of
time prescribed in RSA 679, RSA 677:4, RSA 677:15 or allowed by these
rules, the last
day of the period so computed shall be included, unless it is a Saturday or Sunday,
a federal or state legal holiday, or any day on which the filing office is
officially closed for the day or not open during the office’s normal hours in
accordance with RSA 21:35.
(b) Unless authorized by statute, the board shall not enlarge
time periods prescribed by statute.
(c)
Unless otherwise specified by law, rule,
or order, when a party is required to act within a certain number of days in
commencing an appeal, that period shall begin as provided in RSA 679:5, I. Regarding housing appeals board orders, the
date the Clerk signs the order or other communication shall be the starting
date. The clerk shall mail all orders or
other communications on the date indicated on the document.
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Hab 201.04 Filing an Appeal.
(a) The date an appeal or other document is considered
received shall be when it is:
(1)
Hand-delivered and received by the board at its office:
Johnson
Hall – Housing Appeals Board
107
Pleasant Street
Concord,
NH 03301
(2) If mailed, actually received by the board;
(3) Marked as receipted for delivery by a courier
or overnight service such as Federal Express or United Parcel Service; or
(4) E-mailed to: clerk@hab.nh.gov.
(b) Under (1), (2), (3), and (4) above, within 5 days of
filing, the applicant shall forward a certification that the municipal board,
committee, or commission has been notified in accordance with RSA 679:6, I and
Hab 201.13(a).
(c) Should the applicant fail to properly notify
the statutorily required parties, the board, based on all relevant facts communicated to it including, but not limited
to, the complexity of the case, whether there is a jurisdictional dispute, or a
collateral filing of the matter in superior court under RSA 679:7, II, shall
consider extending for a number of days equal to the delay in proper
notification the time for the appearance, answer, and certified record filing
dates, or dismissal of the appeal.
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Hab 201.05 Default.
(a) This section shall apply to all matters before
the board, except for hearing attendance, which shall be governed by Hab 202.03.
This section shall establish a procedure
for addressing noncompliance with board orders or requests.
(b) A party who fails to respond to or comply with any board
request, order, or rule shall be considered in default.
(c) Upon default, the board shall send the party a default
order signed by the clerk or deputy clerk.
(d) Default orders shall:
(1) Specify how the party has defaulted;
(2) Order the party to cure the default within a
specified period; and
(3) Inform the party of the effects of the failure
to timely cure the default.
(e) A party shall be in final default if a party
fails to timely cure the default order and a final default order shall issue. To set aside a final default, a party shall
move to strike the final default, stating in the motion the reasons the party
failed to comply with the board’s original order or rule, along with stating,
with specificity, the reason the party failed to timely cure the default once
ordered to do so.
(f) The board shall only grant the motion to set
aside the final default when the party’s failure was due to accident, mistake,
misfortune, or other good cause.
(g) If a party timely complies with a default
order, the board without further order shall proceed with the appeal.
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Hab 201.06 Appearance and Representation
Before the Board.
(a) Nonattorneys,
including professional engineers, architects, and land surveyors, may represent
any party before the board. Nothing
in this section shall prevent the board from denying representation by any
individual it deems to be improper, inappropriate, or unable to adequately
represent the interests of the applicant or any other party. Reasons for denial shall include, but not be
limited to, conflicts with any party to the proceeding, inability to adequately
understand the nature of the proceeding, and the requirement that board rules
be followed. The actions or inactions of
attorneys or agents shall bind the represented party.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be
interpreted to restrict a party's right to have and conduct a hearing before
the board.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be
interpreted to allow the unauthorized practice of law in accordance with RSA
311:7.
(d) The person who attends the hearing or a
prehearing conference for a party shall either:
(1) Come with the party’s authority to make all
decisions on the appeal, including the authority to settle the case; or
(2) Ensure the client can be contacted immediately
by phone to authorize the agent on specific decisions, including the decision
to settle the case.
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Hab 201.07 Appearances.
(a) Except as noted below, each party shall file an appearance
signed by the party or the party's attorney, agent, or municipal consultant,
listing:
(1) The name and docket number of the matter;
(2) The party for whom the appearance is filed;
and
(3) The appearing person's name, address, daytime
phone number, and e-mail address.
(b) If an appearance is filed by an attorney,
agent, or municipal consultant, the appearance shall:
(1) Comply with paragraph (a) above;
(2) State the attorney, agent, or municipal
consultant has the party's authorization to appear and act on the party's
behalf; and
(3) Certify the attorney, agent, or municipal
consultant:
a.
Has sent a copy of the appearance to the
represented party and the opposing party and any intervenors; and
b.
Is aware of the restriction in Hab
201.10 on withdrawing the appearance; and
(4) If a New Hampshire attorney, include the
attorney’s New Hampshire Bar number.
(c) In all appeals, the appeal document shall
constitute the appearance of the person signing the document, provided the following requirements are
met:
(1) The information required pursuant to (a)
above, excepting the docket number, shall be included in the appeal document
and shall constitute the applicant’s appearance; or
(2) The information required by (a) and (b) above,
excepting the docket number, shall be included in the appeal document in order
to constitute the attorney’s, agent’s, or municipal
consultant’s appearance on behalf of an applicant.
(d) When an appearance has been filed, all communications from
the board to the parties shall be made through the attorney, agent, or
municipal consultant, including all hearing notices, orders
and decisions.
(e) When an appearance has been filed by an attorney, agent,
or municipal consultant, all communications between the parties shall be made
through the person listed on the appearance.
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Hab 201.08 Appearances by Attorneys.
(a) An attorney who is a member in good standing
of the bar of any court of the United States or of the highest court of any state shall be permitted to
practice before the board in a particular action after filing an appearance. An out-of-state attorney shall include a
certification that the attorney’s client has been informed, in writing, that
the attorney is not admitted to practice law in New Hampshire.
(b) The board shall require an out-of-state
attorney to associate with a New Hampshire attorney if, after a duly noticed
hearing, the board determines the attorney is unfamiliar with applicable New
Hampshire law and the board’s procedures and administrative rules.
(c) The board shall revoke an out-of-state attorney’s
permission to represent a party when the board concludes, after a duly noticed
hearing:
(1) That the attorney is unfamiliar with
applicable New Hampshire law and the board’s procedures and administrative
rules; and
(2) The attorney’s continued representation would
be detrimental to the represented party.
(d) All attorneys shall act in accordance with the
New Hampshire professional conduct rules.
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Hab 201.09 Service of Written Communications.
(a) All documents filed with the board shall include the
filing party's mailing address, actual street address, daytime phone number,
and e-mail address.
(b) Parties shall notify the board of any
change in address, e-mail address, or phone number.
(c) Unless otherwise required by statute or rule, service of
written communications by the board or by parties shall be made by first class
mail or by e-mail.
(d) Unless otherwise shown by a party or unless the written
communication is returned by the United States Postal Service, written
communications mailed in accordance with this rule by the board or the parties
shall be deemed to have been received by the person so notified.
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Hab 201.10 Withdrawal of Appearance.
(a) An attorney, agent, or municipal consultant may withdraw
by filing a withdrawal of appearance motion with the board, copying the client
and all other parties. The withdrawal
motion shall include the party's current address, e-mail address, and phone
number.
(b) The motion to withdraw appearance shall be
automatically granted within 14 days of filing, provided:
(1) There are no pending motions;
(2) No hearing date has been set; and
(3) No party objects.
(c) If the criteria required by (b) above are not
met, the board shall review the motion and grant it provided neither party is
prejudiced by the withdrawal.
(d) Any objection to a withdrawal of appearance
motion shall be filed within 10 days of the filing of the withdrawal of
appearance motion and shall state with specificity the reasons for objecting. The objection shall only be sustained if the
proceeding has progressed to such a stage that allowing the withdrawal would be
unduly prejudicial to the parties or would adversely affect the board's
processing the file.
(e) Whenever an attorney, agent, or municipal
consultant withdraws from an action and no other appearance is entered, all
future communications shall be sent to the applicant, municipality, intervenors,
and any other interested person who has appeared in the proceeding.
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Hab 201.11 Conduct of Parties,
Attorneys, Agents and Municipal Consultants.
(a) Parties, attorneys, agents, and municipal
consultants shall conduct themselves in a truthful and respectful manner in all of their dealings with the board and other parties,
attorneys, municipal consultants, and agents.
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Hab 201.12 Copies of Filed Documents.
(a) All documents, including the appeal, filed
with the board shall be simultaneously copied to all other parties. The
submitting party shall state in the document that a copy was sent to all other
known parties at the time of filing.
(b) The party filing any memorandum or requests
for findings/rulings shall file the original and 3 copies. If a party fails to
supply the correct number of copies, the board shall either return the document
for copying by the party or copy the document and bill the party for copying
costs, in accordance with Hab 301.01.
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Hab 201.13 Form of Documents.
(a) In addition to complying with all other
applicable rules, every document shall include at the beginning:
(1) The name of the case;
(2) The docket number;
(3) The title of the document, for example,
"Motion to Continue";
(4) The name, address, telephone number, and
e-mail address of the submitting party or the party's attorney, agent, or
municipal consultant; and
(5) A statement that a copy of the document was
sent to all other parties.
(b) All claims or defenses shall be made in
numbered paragraphs and each numbered paragraph shall be limited as far as
practicable to a statement of a single set of circumstances.
(c) Statements in a document may be adopted by
reference in a different part of the same or another document.
(d) A copy of any written instrument that is
attached or referenced to a document shall be a part thereof for all purposes.
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Hab 201.14 Signed Documents.
(a) Every document shall be signed by the party or
the party's attorney, agent, or municipal consultant. The document shall
include the signer's name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address.
(b) The signature on a document, whether it is an
original or a facsimile, shall constitute a certification:
(1) That the signer has read the document;
(2) That the facts in the document are true to the
best of the signer's knowledge formed after reasonable inquiry;
(3) That no pertinent facts have been excluded;
(4) That the party's position on any request is
well grounded in fact and is warranted by existing law or a good faith argument
for the extension, modification or reversal of
existing law; and
(5) That the document is not submitted for any
improper purpose, such as to harass, to cause unnecessary delay, or to
needlessly increase the litigation costs.
(c) RSA 641:1, RSA 641:2, and RSA 641:3 shall
apply to all submitted documents.
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Hab 201.15 Nonconforming Documents.
(a) If a party submits a document by any
electronic means in accordance with Hab 102.12, that document shall constitute
a filed document.
(b)
If a party files with the board a document that does not comply with any
statute or board rule, the board shall:
(1)
Date-stamp the document;
(2)
Return the document to the submitting party;
(3)
Notify the party of the noncompliance; and
(4)
Provide the party with 7 days to re-file a conforming document.
(c) Subparagraph (b)(4) shall not apply to the
filing of this original appeal. Said appeal shall be timely filed in accordance
with Hab 102.12, RSA 679, RSA 677:4, and RSA 677:15.
(d) If the submitting party timely re-files a conforming
document, the document shall be considered as filed on the original filing
date.
(e)
If the submitting party fails to timely re-file a conforming document,
the document shall be considered as filed on the re-filing date, not the
original filing date, which could result in the document being untimely filed
under a statute, rule or order.
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Hab 201.16 Motions and Objections.
(a) Requests for board action shall be made by
filing an original and 3 copies of a motion for each docket that complies with
all applicable board rules, and:
(1)
Is in writing unless made on the record at a hearing;
(2)
States with specificity the grounds therefore;
(3)
States the relief sought;
(4)
States compliance with paragraph (b) below on seeking concurrence;
(5)
Is signed in accordance with Hab 201.14;
(6)
Is copied to all other parties; and
(7)
States that a copy was sent to all other parties.
(b) The moving party shall make a good faith
attempt to obtain concurrence from the opposing party in the relief sought,
except for dispositive motions or other motions where it can reasonably be
assumed the moving party will be unable to obtain concurrence. The motion shall
recite compliance with this paragraph.
(c) Unless apparent from the record or agreed upon
by the parties, the board shall not rely upon any facts in deciding a motion
unless the facts and documents relied on in the motion are submitted under
certification of truthfulness subject to the penalties of RSA 641:1, RSA 641:2,
and RSA 641:3.
(d) An objection to a motion, except as provided
in Hab 201.32(c), shall be filed with the board within10 days after the motion
was filed. Once an objection is filed with the board, no further documents
pertaining to the underlying motion shall be accepted from any party unless a
waiver is granted pursuant to Hab 201.36.
(e) Supporting memoranda and documents shall be
filed with the motion or objection, unless the board
has granted leave for a later filing.
(f) Motions shall be decided with or without
hearing. A hearing shall be granted on the board's own initiative or upon a
party's request when the board concludes a hearing will materially assist the
board or is required to comply with the law.
(g) Any motions for summary judgment shall be
filed with the housing appeals board as the adjudicatory body using RSA
491:8-a.
(h) The board shall not receive any appeals for
declaratory rulings outside the board’s statutory authority contained in RSA
679.
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Hab 201.17 Discovery.
(a) Upon prior approval from the board, parties
may employ discovery to adequately prepare an appeal, provided discovery
requests are not overly burdensome based on the type and complexity of the
appeal. A party, without prior board
approval, may informally seek information and documents from the other party,
but the board shall only enforce formal, previously-approved
discovery requests.
(b) Except as modified in these rules, the
superior court discovery rules shall apply to all board proceedings.
(c) All written discovery requests shall be in
plain and concise language.
(d) Except by leave of the board and only when the
moving party demonstrates additional interrogatories are required to ensure full
discovery, no party shall serve more than 15 interrogatories on the opposing
party.
(e) Before the board accepts any discovery
enforcement motion, the moving party shall make diligent efforts, directly with
the other party, to obtain compliance. All
enforcement motions shall state how compliance was sought.
(f) The board shall review the enforcement motion
and either deny the motion in its entirety or issue an order specifying which
items of discovery requested shall be responded to.
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Hab 201.18 Prehearing Submissions and
Conferences.
(a) When necessary to aid in clarifying any matter
raised in the applicant’s appeal or answer thereto, to review potential
conflicts associated with substitute board members, or to coordinate scheduling
of motion hearings and final hearings the board shall hold prehearing
conferences pursuant to RSA 541-A:31, V(c) or require prehearing submissions.
(b) Prehearing conferences or prehearing
submissions shall be intended to achieve 2 general goals:
(1) Explore settlement; and
(2)
Prepare the matter for final hearing.
(c) Except in cases where justice shall require
the receipt and consideration of additional evidence, the board shall decide
the matter based on the certified record.
(d) All requests to expand the certified record
shall be made in advance of any scheduled hearing and be based upon available
information or data needed to:
(1) Fully understand the nature of the matter
before the board and the requested relief;
(2) Resolve any conflicting facts appearing from
the certified record; or
(3) Consider any other facts which could affect
the full and fair consideration of any matter before the board.
(e) Parties who fail to attend a prehearing
conference shall be deemed to have waived the opportunity to:
(1) Present their positions at the prehearing
conference, except as presented in writing to the board in the party's
prehearing submission; and
(2) Confront, question, or challenge the other
party's position and presentation, except as presented in writing to the board
in the party's prehearing submission.
(f) A party's nonattendance shall not affect the
board's authority to issue a prehearing conference order pursuant to RSA
541-A:31, V(c).
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Hab 201.19 Consolidation. In actions involving common decisions of a
municipal body the board shall, upon motion or its own initiative:
(a) Consolidate part of or all
of the actions, including hearings and decisions; and
(b) Make such orders concerning proceedings
therein to avoid unnecessary costs or delay.
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Hab 201.20 Withdrawal of Case.
(a) The applicant may withdraw a case by filing a
written withdrawal. The applicant shall provide a copy of the withdrawal to the
municipality and all other parties.
(b) The withdrawal shall be accepted
and the matter marked "withdrawn; no further action" except the
municipality shall have 10 days from the clerk's date on the order to file a
request for costs in accordance with Hab 201.34.
(c) A withdrawal shall terminate the board’s
consideration of a matter and, once the file has been so marked, the withdrawal
shall not be rescinded except for good cause, which shall be based on facts
provided to the board, which taken together, would constitute an injustice to
the requesting party. A withdrawal shall
not be considered a board decision unless the withdrawal is filed with a
settlement agreement in accordance with Hab 201.21.
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Hab 201.21 Settlement and Stipulations.
(a) Settlements between the parties shall be
encouraged in accordance with RSA 541-A:31, V. Parties shall attempt to settle a matter
before it is scheduled for a hearing.
(b) All settlement agreements, except those made
on the record or recited in an order, shall:
(1) Be in writing, describing the agreement's
material terms; and
(2) Be signed by all parties or their attorneys,
agents, or municipal consultants.
(c) If a matter has been scheduled for a hearing
and the parties settle with insufficient time to file the signed settlement
agreement before the hearing, either party shall, before the hearing, call and
inform the board's clerk of the settlement. The parties shall then, within 30 days of the
call to the board, file the settlement agreement.
(d) If the settlement agreement or stipulation is
not filed, the board shall notify the parties that unless a party files an
objection within 10 days, the docket will be marked: "case settled; no
further action, no costs."
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Hab 201.22 Filing with Board and Superior Court.
(a) Where the applicable statute authorizes an
appeal to the board or the superior court, taking an appeal to one tribunal
shall be a waiver of the right to appeal to the other tribunal in accordance
with RSA 679:7, I.
(b) If a party has appealed to both the board and
superior court, the board shall:
(1) Order the applicant to inform the board when
the superior court appeal was taken;
(2) Either:
a.
Dismiss the board appeal if the applicant
first appealed to the superior court; or
b.
Retain jurisdiction of the board appeal
if the applicant first appealed to the board and notify the superior court of
the applicant’s dual appeal; and
(3) Take such other actions it deems appropriate
to preserve the applicant’s right to appeal to one tribunal, such as
transferring an appeal to the superior court or accepting an appeal from the
superior court, in conformance with RSA 679:7, I and II.
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Hab 201.23 Subpoena.
(a) If witnesses and documents are to be
subpoenaed, the board and parties shall follow the procedures used in the
superior court and in accordance with RSA 679:13, subject to (b), (c), (d) and
(e) of this rule.
(b) The board shall not ordinarily or as a matter
of course issue subpoenas for witnesses or documents, since any subpoena for a
witness or documents would constitute an expansion of the certified record,
which must be approved, in advance, by the board in accordance with RSA 679:9,
I and Hab 201.18(c).
(c) All subpoenas shall:
(1) Include the name and docket number of the case;
(2) Be in the form required by RSA 516; and
(3) Be signed by a justice of the peace as
required by RSA 516:3.
(d) Subpoenas shall be served at least 10 days
before the hearing date for which the witness or document is being subpoenaed.
(e) A subpoenaed witness may move to quash the
subpoena by filing a motion to quash, stating in the motion the grounds therefore. The procedures and legal principals used by
the superior court in reviewing a motion to quash shall be used by the housing
appeals board.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab 201.24 Continuances.
(a) A motion for a continuance, that is, a request
to reschedule a hearing, shall:
(1) Be filed within 7 days of the clerk's date on
the hearing notice except when a later filing is justified by accident, mistake,
or misfortune;
(2) State with specificity the reason for the
motion and, as applicable, comply with (b), (c), and (d) below;
(3) State when the matter can be rescheduled; and
(4) If filed by an attorney, agent, or municipal
consultant, state:
a.
The client has been advised of the
motion and the reasons therefore;
b.
The client has been sent a copy of the
motion; and
c.
The client has consented to the
continuance.
(b) The moving party shall comply with the
requirements for seeking concurrence set forth in Hab 201.16(b). The board shall not be bound by the other
party’s concurrence to the motion and shall only grant a continuance in
extraordinary circumstances in accordance with (c), (d), (e), and (f) below.
(c) If, based on a conflicting court or other
tribunal's hearing, the motion shall state:
(1) The date and time, case name, docket number,
and court or tribunal of the other matter;
(2) The substance of the other hearing;
(3) Whether a continuance of the other matter has
been sought and the results of that request; and
(4) Whether anyone else could cover either the
board's hearing or the other hearing.
(d) If based on inability to procure or present
material evidence, by testimony or by documents approved in advance of the
hearing by the board, the motion shall:
(1) State the name of the witness or document;
(2) State the nature of the evidence;
(3) State the reason for its unavailability;
(4) State the steps taken to procure the evidence
for the hearing; and
(5) Include a statement that the other party has
been consulted about whether the evidence can be received without live
testimony.
(e) If based on illness or injury, the motion
shall state sufficient medical information to allow the board to determine
whether a continuance is warranted. This
information shall include the nature of the illness or injury and, if required
by the board, the name and address of the treating physician.
(f) A party seeking a continuance may in the
motion state that if the continuance is not granted the party will not attend
the hearing. Such notice shall
constitute notice under Hab 202.03(d)(1). The party shall, however, submit its Hab
202.03(d)(2) memorandum before the hearing.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab
201.25 Hearings,
Parties, and Standard of Proof.
(a)
This section shall not impede a party's
right to a hearing, but its purpose is to require parties to make succinct and
organized presentations.
(b)
The following procedures shall promote
the efficient use of the board’s and the parties’ time
at hearings.
(1) All hearings shall be held in accordance with
the New Hampshire Constitution, RSA 541-A, RSA 679, and such other statutes
applicable to the particular type of hearing;
(2) The board shall state the time allotted for
each party’s presentation in the hearing notice. Parties requiring more than the allotted time
shall, within 7 days of the clerk's date on the hearing notice, file a request
for additional time, specifying why the allotted time is insufficient and
stating how much additional time is required. Factors the board shall consider include the
number of issues presented by the applicant’s appeal and the complexity of the
issues to be decided. The board shall
rule on such motion before the hearing;
(3) The board shall enforce specific time limits
by requiring parties to complete their presentations within the time limits; and
(4) In addition to the specific time limits
discussed above, the board shall control the length of hearings by requiring
succinct presentations and preventing parties from making irrelevant,
immaterial, and repetitious presentations;
(c)
Unless otherwise required by statute,
the standard of proof shall be by a balance of the probabilities, on the
evidence before it, that the decision being appealed is unlawful or unreasonable,
pursuant to RSA 679:9, II.
(d)
If allowed by the board in advance of
the hearing, any person offering testimony, exhibits, or arguments shall state his
or her name on the record. If the person
is representing another person, the person being represented shall also be
identified by name.
(e)
Testimony shall be offered in the
following order:
(1) The party(ies)
bearing the burden of proof and such witnesses as allowed by the board;
(2) The opposing party(ies)
and such witnesses as allowed by the board; and
(3) Intervenors who have been granted that status
under the provisions of RSA 679 and/or RSA 541-A:32 together with any
intervenor witnesses who are able to present facts relevant to the case being
heard.
(f)
Pursuant to RSA 679 and/or RSA 541-A:32,
when the board grants intervenor status, the board shall issue an order stating
the scope and limitations on the intervenor's participation as outlined in RSA
541-A:32, III.
(g) The record shall be closed at the conclusion
of the hearing unless the board leaves the record open to receive additional
evidence or documents requested by the board at the hearing.
(h)
If allowed by the board in accordance
with RSA 679:9, I, parties planning to have experts testify at the
hearing shall advise the expert to bring their complete file, including all
original records and notes.
(i) After the record
is closed, it shall not be reopened except as provided in Hab 201.32 or by
waiver of the board as provided in Hab 201.36.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab
201.26 Telephonic
Conferences.
(a)
On its own or upon motion or request, in order to provide for an expedited and orderly hearing, the
board may hold telephone conferences on preliminary matters and motions.
(b)
The board shall record all telephone
conferences held under (a) above.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab
201.27 Record
and Transcript.
(a)
The board shall record all oral
proceedings pursuant to RSA 679:9, I and RSA 541-A:31, VII. Parties may, at
their own expense, arrange to have a stenographer at any hearing.
(b)
The recording shall be available for
inspection as provided by RSA 679:9, I, and any person shall contact the board
to arrange a time for such inspection.
(c)
Requests for copies of the recording
shall be made in compliance with RSA 679:9, I and shall be accompanied by the
fee stated in Hab 301.01.
(d)
Recordings shall be maintained for 45
days following a final decision that was not appealed. If an appeal is taken,
recordings shall be maintained until the case is finally adjudicated in
accordance with RSA 679:9, I.
(e)
Any person wishing a certified
transcript shall arrange and pay for the transcription of the recording.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab
201.28 Evidence.
(a)
Pursuant to RSA 679:9, I the board shall
not be bound by the strict rules of evidence adhered to in the superior court.
(b)
In ruling on objections to evidence
presented, the board shall give due regard to the principles behind the rules
of evidence and the board's statutory function and purpose.
(c)
The board shall exclude irrelevant,
immaterial, and unduly repetitious evidence in accordance with RSA 541-A:33,
II.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab
201.29 Copies
of Exhibits.
(a)
Apart from exhibits which are part of
the certified record, the party offering any exhibit at a hearing must have
that exhibit approved by the board prior to the hearing. If so approved, the party offering any exhibit
at a hearing shall provide one original to be marked, one copy to the other
party or parties, and 3 copies to the board.
(b)
Additional copies shall not be required
for photographs, maps, or other documents that are not easily copied.
(c)
If a party fails to supply the correct
number of copies, the board shall either return the document for copying by the
party or copy the document and bill the party for copying costs.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab
201.30 Return
of Exhibits.
(a)
Upon written request, exhibits shall be
available for pick up 45 days after the board’s decision becomes final.
Exhibits not picked up within 90 days of the date a decision becomes final
shall be destroyed.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab
201.31 Requests for Findings of Fact and Rulings of Law and Legal Memoranda
and Decisions/Orders.
(a)
All requests for findings and rulings
and hearing memoranda shall be submitted to the board at least 7 days before
the hearing. When parties have leave to
submit requests or memoranda after a hearing, the board shall provide the
parties with a filing schedule. The
party with the burden of proof shall file the first memorandum, and then the
opposing party shall file its memorandum. Additional memoranda may only be filed by
leave of the board, which shall be granted only when they will assist the
board.
(b)
Requests for findings and rulings shall
consist of separately numbered paragraphs with only one finding or ruling per
paragraph. Unless specifically allowed by the board, parties shall be limited
to a combined total of 15 requests for findings of fact or rulings of law.
Requests that contain multiple findings or rulings shall be marked
"neither granted nor denied."
(c)
Each party submitting written requests
for findings of fact or rulings of law shall also submit a Microsoft Word
compatible electronic version to clerk@hab.nh.gov.
(d)
Following the hearing, the board shall
issue a decision or order with sufficient specificity to allow the parties to
understand its basis.
(e)
The board shall retain each file for at
least 8 years following the date of the final decision or the date of the
decision on any appeal, unless the director of the division of archives and
records management of the department of state sets a different retention period
pursuant to rules adopted under RSA 5:40.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab
201.32 Motions
for Rehearing, Reconsideration or Clarification.
(a)
Motions for rehearing, reconsideration
or clarification or other such post hearing motion, collectively
"rehearing motion," shall be filed within 30 days after the clerk's
date on the board's order or decision. Filing
a rehearing motion shall be a prerequisite to appealing to the supreme court in
accordance with RSA 541:3, RSA 541:4, and RSA 541:6.
(b)
Rehearing motions shall state with
specificity all points of law or fact the moving party contends the board
overlooked, misapprehended, or requires clarification.
(c)
The opposing party shall not be required
to file an objection to a rehearing motion. If an objection is filed, however,
it shall be filed no later than 5 days after the rehearing motion is filed and
simultaneously copied to all other parties pursuant to Hab 102.12 and Hab
201.12, respectively. The objection may
include a request for additional time to respond to the rehearing motion. Once
an objection is received by the board, no further filings shall be accepted
unless a waiver is granted pursuant to Hab 201.36.
(d)
Pursuant to RSA 541:5, if the board does
not grant or deny the rehearing motion within 10 days, a suspension order shall
be issued.
(e)
Rehearing motions shall only be granted,
pursuant to RSA 541:3, upon a showing that the board overlooked or
misapprehended the facts or the law and such error
affected the board's decision. Rehearing motions shall not be granted for
harmless errors that, if corrected, would not change the board's decision.
(f)
A party who fails to attend a rehearing
may file a motion requesting a hearing. Such motion shall only be granted if
the moving party shows the failure to attend was due to accident, mistake or misfortune.
(g)
Parties shall submit all evidence and
present all arguments at the hearing. Therefore,
rehearing motions shall not be granted to consider evidence previously
available to the moving party but not presented at the hearing or to consider new
arguments that could have been raised at the hearing. Except by leave of the
board, parties shall not submit new evidence with rehearing motions. Leave shall only be granted when the offering
party has shown the evidence was newly discovered and could not have been
discovered with due diligence in time for the hearing and when the new evidence
will assist the board.
(h)
If a rehearing motion is granted, the
board shall either revise its decision or order without rehearing or it shall
schedule a further hearing if required to correct the error.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab
201.33 Clerical
Mistakes.
(a)
Clerical mistakes in decisions, orders,
or other parts of the record, arising from oversight or omission, shall be
corrected by the board at any time on its own initiative or party's motion.
(b)
Such mistakes shall be corrected before
an appeal is docketed in the supreme court and thereafter only with leave of
the supreme court.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab
201.34 Costs.
(a)
Except as otherwise provided by law,
costs or attorney fees shall be awarded as in the superior court in accordance
with RSA 679:13. All awards of costs
shall be limited to reasonable costs.
(b)
Filing fees shall be reimbursed in
accordance with RSA 679:13.
(c)
If the board awards costs, the party
awarded costs shall:
(1)
State in writing or on the record the costs sought; and
(2)
Submit documentation that shall prove the party incurred the costs being
sought.
(d)
Costs for a party's expert witness shall
be limited to those reasonable fees incurred for the witness's testimony, but
no costs shall be awarded for the witness's research or preparation, pursuant
to Fortin v. Manchester Housing Authority, 133 N.H. 154, 157-60 (1990).
(e)
Nothing in this section shall affect the
sovereign immunity of the state and its political subdivisions.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab
201.35 Withdrawal
or Recusal of Board Member.
(a)
Upon board member initiative or upon a
party's motion, a board member shall, for good cause or to avoid the appearance
of impropriety or lack of impartiality, withdraw from any adjudicative
proceeding.
(b)
Pursuant to Taylor Boren v. Isaac,
143 N.H. 261 (1998), recusal shall occur when an objective, disinterested
observer fully informed of the facts would entertain significant doubt about
the board member's ability to be impartial or do justice in the case.
(c) If recusal is sought by a party, the party
shall file a motion to the full board and shall have the burden to show why
recusal is warranted.
(d)
For purposes of this section, good cause
shall include the following:
(1) The member has a personal or pecuniary
interest in the matter that is immediate, definite and
subject to demonstration; or
(2) There is evidence that would cause a
reasonable person to conclude the member's impartiality can be questioned.
(e)
Except where personal bias or prejudice
exists, a board member may sit on a case where good cause for recusal exists,
provided:
(1) On the record, the board member makes a full
disclosure of the facts underlying the good cause;
(2) The other board members conclude the good
cause is waivable and the board member can sit impartially;
(3) The parties are given an opportunity outside
the board's presence to consider waiver; and
(4) The parties, free of board influence and on
the record, waive recusal.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab
201.36 Waiver
of Rules.
(a)
Request for a waiver for failure to comply with a rule or board order shall not
be routinely granted.
(b)
The board shall grant a waiver for
failure to comply with a rule or board order when the failure was due to
accident, mistake, or misfortune or when justice otherwise requires, provided
that granting the waiver would not be contrary to any statute or supreme court
case law.
(c)
Requests for a waiver shall:
(1) Be in writing promptly upon discovery of the failure;
(2) State the failure, the specific reasons why
the waiver should be granted, and the facts supporting the request;
(3) State that the party's failure has been
corrected or state why the failure has not been corrected and, in such a case,
when the failure will be corrected; and
(4) Comply with all other rules applicable to
filing documents, including sending a copy to the other party or parties.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
PART Hab 202 GENERAL RULES GOVERNING RSA 679 APPEALS
Hab
202.01 Applicability.
(a) This part as well as Hab 101 and Hab 201
shall apply to all RSA 679 appeals.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab
202.02 Appeal
to the Board.
(a)
To appeal to the board, an applicant
shall, within the statutory period and in writing, file an appeal document with
the board after complying all other prerequisites for appealing to the board.
(b)
The applicant’s appeal document shall
state the grounds for the appeal with sufficient specificity to allow the board
to understand the applicant’s arguments. Conclusory statements without
supporting arguments shall be insufficient.
(c)
If an appeal document lacks sufficient
specificity by way of relevant facts, information, and legal principles clearly
supporting the appeal, the board, on its own or by the grant of a municipality
motion, shall place the applicant in default. The board shall then order the applicant to
amend the appeal within 10 days of the clerk’s date on such order providing
sufficient specificity. If the applicant
fails to comply with such order, the board shall dismiss the appeal.
(d)
Throughout the appeal, the applicant
shall be limited to the grounds stated in the appeal document and the
limitations contained in RSA 677:4.
(e)
The statutory filing deadline with the
board shall be akin to a statute of limitations. The board shall not have jurisdiction to
accept an untimely filed appeal even if the applicant was prevented from timely
filing because of accident, mistake, or misfortune.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab
202.03 Hearing
Attendance.
(a)
The purpose of this section is to
ensure:
(1) That parties attend all hearings;
(2) The efficient use of the board's and the
parties' time; and
(3) The board and the parties have an opportunity
to obtain relevant information through presentations and inquiries at hearings.
(b)
In this section, "hearing"
means the adjudicative proceeding scheduled to receive evidence and arguments
upon which the decision on the merits will be based, shall be recorded, and all
persons desiring to make comments shall identify themselves for the record
prior to speaking.
(c)
Non-attendance by an applicant, an
opposing party or parties, or the applicant’s attorney or representative at a
noticed hearing within 30 minutes after the scheduled time shall result in a
dismissal of the appeal unless the failure to appear is excused as provided in
paragraph (d).
(d)
Applicants and opposing party or parties
who cannot attend the hearing shall be excused only if they file with the
board, copying the other party, a written request for leave to not attend the
hearing that includes the following:
(1) A statement of the reasons the applicant or
opposing party or parties are unavailable to attend the hearing; and
(2) If not previously submitted to the board, a
hearing memorandum presenting the applicant’s or opposing party or parties’
arguments and supporting material shall be submitted at least 7 days prior to
the scheduled hearing.
(e)
If leave is granted for non-attendance,
the board shall open the hearing and decide the appeal based on the evidence
presented, including any arguments and evidence presented by the opposing
party.
(f)
Nothing in this section shall alter the
burden of proof or constrain the board from reviewing and weighing the
evidence.
(g)
An applicant, or opposing party or
parties granted leave to not attend a hearing, shall be deemed to waive:
(1) The opportunity to support the applicant’s or
opposing party or parties’, position other than as presented in writing;
(2) The right to confront, question, and challenge
the other party's evidence except as presented in the brief; and
(3) The opportunity to answer board questions.
(h)
If an applicant did not file a request
for leave to not attend a hearing and fails to appear for the hearing after 30
minutes of the scheduled hearing time no hearing shall be held. In this
instance, the applicant shall be:
(1) Finally defaulted, and the appeal marked
"applicant finally defaulted; no further action;" and
(2) The other party or parties shall have 10 days
after the clerk's date on the order to file a request for costs under Hab
201.34.
(i) In addition to
any party’s request to be excused from attendance at any board hearing,
itemized in Hab 202.03 (a)-(i) above, prior to any scheduled
or rescheduled hearing, any party may request a continuance in accordance with
Hab 201.24.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab
202.04 Appeal.
(a)
The appeal of the board's decision shall
be pursuant to RSA 541:6 and RSA 679:15.
(b)
Filing a rehearing motion pursuant to
RSA 541:3 and RSA 541:4 shall be a prerequisite for appealing a board decision
in accordance with Hab 201.32.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab
202.05 Settlement
Meeting.
(a)
After determination that the applicant
has complied with all timely filing requirements, the board shall issue an
order to encourage informal discussions, pursuant to RSA 541-A:31, V and RSA
541-A:38, requiring the parties to meet in order to
either settle or narrow the disputed issues.
(b)
The order shall establish a 15-day
deadline from the date of the order for the parties to meet and file with the
board the report of settlement meeting prescribed in the order.
(c)
The report of the settlement meeting
shall contain:
(1) The appeal name and docket number(s);
(2) The date the parties met subsequent to the
appeal filing date;
(3) The parties in attendance at the settlement meeting;
(4) A statement that the appeal was either
completely or partially settled, withdrawn by the applicant or that no
settlement had been reached and a hearing is necessary;
(5) Signature(s) of the parties participating in
the settlement meeting; and
(6) A statement that upon the parties’ signature
and filing with the board the report of settlement meeting, the contents of the
report shall become an order of the board.
(d)
Upon receipt of the Hab 202.05 order,
the parties shall:
(1) Arrange to meet to discuss the appeal at a
mutually convenient time, or discuss the appeal telephonically or by some other
electronic means, and the initial contact may be made by either party;
(2) Ensure those involved in the settlement
discussions either have the authority to settle or can readily obtain such
authority so as not to delay the filing with the board of the report of
settlement meeting; and
(3) Sign the report of settlement meeting and file
it with the board within the deadline stated in the order.
(e)
Motions for extension of the deadline to
file with the board the report of settlement meeting or a request for
modifications of the requirements of this rule shall:
(1) Be filed at least 5 days prior to the deadline
stated in the order;
(2) Only be granted in extraordinary circumstances
including:
a.
Illness or injury prevents a party from
preparing for and attending a settlement meeting within the deadline stated in
the order;
b.
Material evidence will be unavailable
for the settlement meeting despite the party’s due diligence to obtain the
evidence in time for discussion during the settlement meeting; or
c.
Such other reasons that warrant an
extension to serve justice and efficiency; and
(3) Comply with the requirements of seeking
concurrence in Hab 201.18(b).
(f)
If the parties do not file with the
board the report of settlement meeting within the 15-day deadline established
in the order or any extension granted under Hab 203.07(e), the parties shall be
placed in default pursuant to Hab 201.05.
(g)
Upon filing the report of the settlement
meeting with the board, the report shall become a board order and, if the
report indicates:
(1) The appeal is withdrawn or settled, the board
shall mark the file accordingly; or
(2) No settlement or a partial settlement
occurred, the board shall proceed with scheduling a hearing.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
PART Hab 203 PETITIONS FOR RULEMAKING &
DECLARATORY RULINGS
Hab
203.01 Petitions
or Board Initiated Rule Changes.
(a)
This section shall apply to rule changes
initiated by the board or by any person petitioning the board to adopt, amend
or repeal the board's rules. Any person
may request the board to commence a proceeding for the purpose of adopting,
amending, or repealing a rule by filing a written petition that contains:
(1) A statement of the petitioner’s request for
the proposed rule;
(2) The text of the proposed rule or a statement
of the particular results intended by the petitioner’s interest in the subject
matter of the proposed rule;
(3) An identification of the particular rule
sought to be amended or repealed;
(4) Any argument the petitioner believes would be
useful to the board in deciding whether to commence a rulemaking proceeding;
and
(5) Name, mailing address, signature of petitioner
and date.
(b)
A petition to adopt, amend or repeal a
rule shall be submitted to the board's clerk. The clerk shall schedule a board meeting in
compliance with RSA 91-A and present the petition to the board.
(c) The board shall:
(1) Notice the petitioner of the meeting at which
the petition will be reviewed;
(2) Consider the petition; and
(3) Request further information, if necessary.
(d)
Within 30 days of receipt of a request
or amended request for rulemaking, the board shall take one of the following
actions:
(1) Initiate the requested rulemaking procedures,
in accordance with this part; or
(2) Deny the request if it is contrary to the
purpose of the underlying statute and respond, in writing, stating the reasons
for denial.
(e) A petition to adopt, amend, or repeal a rule
shall:
(1) Be limited to a single subject; and
(2) If the petition concerns a rule, cite the rule
in question.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab
203.02 Disposition
of Petitions for Rulemaking.
(a)
The board shall request additional
information or argument from the petitioner for rulemaking or from others if
such additional information or argument is required to reach a reasoned
decision.
(b)
The board shall grant the petition for
rulemaking unless the adoption, amendment or repeal sought would result in:
(1) A rule that is not within the rulemaking
authority of the board;
(2)
Duplication of a rule or of a statutory provision;
(3)
Inconsistency between the existing rules and the statutory mandate of
the board; or
(4)
Inconsistency of administrative rules one with another.
(c) Within 30 days following the next scheduled
board meeting, of receipt of a sufficient petition the board shall dispose of
it in the following manner:
(1) By notifying the petitioner that the petition
is granted and beginning rulemaking proceedings as required by RSA 541-A:4; or
(2) By notifying the petitioner in writing that
the petition is denied and the reasons for its denial.
(d) The denial of a petition for rulemaking shall
not entitle the petitioner to a hearing.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab
203.03 Petition
for Declaratory Ruling.
(a) Any person may request a declaratory ruling
from the board on matters within its jurisdiction by filing an original and 3
copies of a petition consistent with this section.
(b) Such a petition shall also set forth the
following information:
(1) The exact ruling being requested;
(2)
The statutory and factual basis for ruling, including any supporting
affidavits or memoranda of a law; and
(3)
A statement as to how and why the issuance of a ruling on this subject
would benefit the petitioner.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab
203.04 Action
on Petitions.
(a) The petitioner shall provide such further
information or participate in such evidentiary or other proceedings as the
board shall direct after reviewing the petition and any replies received.
(b)
Upon review and consideration, the board
shall within 90 days respond to the petition giving its decision in writing.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab 203.05 Explanation
of Proposed or Adopted Rule.
(a)
If requested by an interested person at
any time before 30 days after final adoption of a rule, the board shall issue a
written explanation of the rule pursuant to RSA 541-A:11, VII.
(b)
An explanation issued pursuant to this
section shall include:
(1) A concise statement of the principal reasons
for and against the adoption of the rule in its final form; and
(2) An explanation of why the board overruled any
arguments and considerations against the rule.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
PART Hab 204 PUBLIC COMMENT HEARINGS FOR RULEMAKING
Hab 204.01 Purpose. The purpose of this part is to provide a
uniform procedure for the conduct of public hearings at which comment from the general public will be solicited for evaluation and
consideration by a quorum of the board relative to the adoption, amendment or
repeal of a board rule under RSA 541-A.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab 204.02 Scope.
These rules shall apply to all hearings required by state law to be
conducted by the board at which public comment shall be solicited under RSA
541-A:11. They shall not apply to
contested cases as defined by RSA 541-A:1, IV.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab 204.03 Notice. In accordance with RSA 541-A:6, the board
shall give at least 20 days prior notice in the N. H. Rulemaking Register of
its intent to hold a public hearing and the cut-off date for the submission of
written testimony
pursuant to RSA 541-A:11, I, on any proposed adoption, amendment, readoption,
readoption with amendment, or repeal of a rule. Pursuant to RSA 541-A:6, I, the
notice period shall begin on the day after the date of publication of the
notice in the Rulemaking Register.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab 204.04 Postponements; Relocation.
(a)
In accordance with RSA 541-A:11, IV, a public hearing shall be postponed
when:
(1) The weather is so inclement that it is
reasonable to conclude that people wishing to attend the hearing will be unable
to do so; or
(2)
Postponement will facilitate greater participation by the public.
(b)
In accordance with RSA 541-A:11, V, a hearing shall be moved to another
location when the original location is not able to accommodate the number of
people who wish to attend.
(c)
In accordance with RSA 541-A:11, III, a hearing shall be continued past
the scheduled time or to another date when:
(1) The time available is insufficient to give
each person who wishes to speak a reasonable opportunity to do so; or
(2)
The capacity of the room in which the hearing is to be held does not
accommodate the number of people who wish to attend, and it is not possible to
move the hearing to another location.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab 204.05 Media Access.
(a)
Public comment hearings shall be open to the print and electronic media.
(b)
The presiding officer shall place limits on the activities of the media
to avoid disruption in the following ways:
(1) Limit the placement of television cameras to
certain locations in the hearing room; and
(2)
Prohibit interviews from being conducted within the hearing room during
the hearing.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab 204.06 Presiding officer.
(a)
The hearing shall be presided over by the presiding officer who shall be
the board chair or designee.
(b)
The presiding officer shall:
(1) Call the hearing to order;
(2)
Cause a recording of the hearing to be made;
(3)
Recognize those who wish to be heard and establish the order thereof;
(4)
Limit the time for each speaker;
(5)
Remove or have removed any person who disrupts the hearing;
(6)
Adjourn the hearing; and
(7) Provide opportunity for the submission of
written comments consistent with the notice published in the rulemaking
register.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
Hab 204.07 Public Participation.
(a)
Any person who wishes to provide verbal testimony on the issue or issues
which are the subject of the hearing shall provide their name, contact
information and whom they represent in writing to the presiding officer.
(b)
The board, through the presiding officer, shall:
(1) Refuse to
recognize a person who refuses to give his or her full name and address;
(2) When a
group or organization wishes to comment, limit the group to no more than 3
persons, provided that the members who are present may enter their names and
addresses into the record as supporting the position by the group or organization; and
(3) Revoke
recognition of a speaker who:
a.
Speaks or acts in an abusive or
disruptive manner; or
b.
Refuses to keep comments relevant to the
issues which are the subject of the hearing.
(c) The presiding officer shall rule any comments,
questions, or discussions that the presiding officer determines not to be
relevant to the subject of the non-adjudicatory public hearing out of order, and proceed to the next speaker.
(d)
Anyone wishing to submit written testimony or exhibits shall sign, and
date the items before submitting them to the presiding officer.
(e)
Written comments may be submitted any time from the time the notice has
been published until the record has been closed by the presiding officer, which
shall be consistent with the notice published in the rulemaking register.
(f)
When the presiding officer determines that no person has further
questions or comments that are relevant to the subject of the hearing, the
presiding officer shall close the hearing.
Source. #13226 eff 7-7-21
CHAPTER
Hab 300 FILING
FEES
Statutory
Authority: RSA 679:13
PART
Hab 301 FEES
REQUIRED
Hab 301.01 Fees.
(a) Non-refundable fees shall be as follows:
Table
301.01 Non-Refundable
Fees
|
|
All
appeals |
$250.00 |
Information
on compact disc, per disc, pursuant to |
Actual
cost of DVD, DVD case, bubble mailer, |
Copies
of material, per page, pursuant to |
$0.25 |
|
|
(b) If a party fails to supply the board with the
required number of copies or fails to copy the other party and the board copies
the other party, the board shall bill the party for copying.
Source. #13227, eff
7-7-21
Hab 301.02 Waiver of Fees. When a party is financially unable to pay any
fee, that party may file a request for waiver of the fee. Such request shall be accompanied with a
financial affidavit, listing the party's income and expenses. The board shall
grant the waiver when it concludes the party cannot pay the fee due to
financial hardship. Financial hardship
factors to be considered by the board shall include a person or immediate
family’s disposable income, assets, liabilities, and other obligations as
itemized on a financial statement submitted to the board.
Source. #13227, eff
7-7-21
APPENDIX
New Hampshire Revised Statutes
Annotated (RSA) can be viewed at: https://www.gencourt.nh.us/RSA/htm/indexes/default.htm |
|
Rule |
Statute |
|
|
Hab
100 (Specific
sections implementing specific statutes are listed below.) |
RSA
541-A:7 |
Hab
101.01 |
RSA
679:5; RSA 679:9 |
Hab
101.02 |
RSA
679:5 |
Hab
102.01 |
RSA
541-A:16, I(a) |
Hab
102.02 |
RSA
679:10 |
Hab
102.03 |
RSA
679:5, I, II, III, IV |
Hab
102.04 |
RSA
679:5; RSA 677:4; RSA 677:15 |
Hab
102.05 |
RSA
541-A:16, I(a) |
Hab
102.06 |
RSA
679:17 |
Hab
102.07 |
RSA
679:13 |
Hab
102.08 |
RSA
541-A:16, I(a) |
Hab
102.09 |
RSA
679:6, I |
Hab
102.10 |
RSA
541-A:36 |
Hab
102.11 |
RSA
541-A:31, VI; RSA 541-A:33 |
Hab
102.12 |
RSA
679:6, I |
Hab
102.13 |
RSA
541-A:16, I(a) |
Hab
102.14 |
RSA
679:5, IV; RSA 541-A:32 |
Hab
102.15 |
RSA
541-A:16, I(a) |
Hab
102.16 |
RSA
541-A:16, I(a) |
Hab
102.17 |
RSA
541-A:16, I(a); RSA 679:5, IV |
Hab
102.18 |
RSA
541-A:31; RSA 679:5, IV; RSA 679:6, I |
Hab
102.19 |
RSA
674:51-61; RSA 679:9, I |
Hab
103.01 |
RSA
679:5 |
Hab
103.02 |
RSA
679:6 |
Hab
104.01 |
RSA
91-A:4; RSA 679:9, I; RSA 679:11 |
|
|
Hab
201 (Specific
sections implementing specific statutes are listed below.) |
RSA
541-A:7; RSA 541-A:16, I(b) |
Hab
201.01 |
RSA
541-A:30-a; RSA 541-A:31 |
Hab
201.02 |
RSA
541-A:36 |
Hab
201.03 |
RSA
679:6; RSA 21:35; RSA 677:4; RSA 677:15 |
Hab
201.04 |
RSA
679:5, I, II, III, IV |
Hab
201.05 |
RSA
541-A:16, I(b); RSA 514:1-a |
Hab
201.06 |
RSA
311:7; RSA 679:10 |
Hab
201.07 |
RSA
311:7; RSA 679:10 |
Hab
201.08 |
RSA
311 |
Hab
201.09 |
RSA
541-A:16, I(b); 679:6, I, II |
Hab
201.10 |
RSA
541-A:16, I(b) |
Hab
201.11 |
RSA
311; RSA 679:10 |
Hab
201.12 |
RSA
541-A:16, I(b); RSA 679:6, I |
Hab
201.13 |
RSA
541-A:16, I(b) |
Hab
201.14 |
RSA
641:1; RSA 641:2; RSA 641:3 |
Hab
201.15 |
RSA
541-A:16, I(b) |
Hab
201.16 |
RSA
491:8-a; RSA 641:1; RSA 641:2; RSA 641:3; RSA 679:6 |
Hab
201.17 |
RSA
679:9 |
Hab
201.18 |
RSA
541-A:31, V(c) |
Hab
201.19 |
RSA
541-A:16, I(b); RSA 679:7, II |
Hab
201.20 |
RSA
541-A:16, I(b)(2) |
Hab
201.21 |
RSA
541-A:31, V |
Hab
201.22 |
RSA
679:7, I, II |
Hab
201.23 |
RSA
516; RSA 516:3; RSA 679:13 |
Hab
201.24 |
RSA
541-A:30-a, III(h) |
Hab
201.25 |
RSA
541-A; RSA 541-A:32; RSA 541-A:32, III; RSA 679:9, II; RSA 679:5, IV |
Hab
201.26 |
RSA
541-A:16, I(b); RSA 541-A:31 |
Hab
201.27 |
RSA
91-A:4; RSA 541-A:31; RSA 541-A:31, VII; RSA 679:9, I |
Hab
201.28 |
RSA
541-A: 33, II; RSA 679:9, I |
Hab
201.29 |
RSA
541-A:16, I(b) |
Hab
201.30 |
RSA
541-A:33, II |
Hab
201.31 |
RSA
5:40; RSA 679:11; RSA 541-A |
Hab
201.32 |
RSA
541:3; RSA 541:4; RSA 541:5; RSA 541:6 |
Hab
201.33 |
RSA
541-A |
Hab
201.34 |
RSA
679:13 |
Hab
201.35 |
RSA
679:8, II |
Hab
201.36 |
RSA
541-A:30-a, III(j) |
|
|
Hab
202 (Specific
sections implementing specific statutes are listed below.) |
RSA
541-A:7; RSA 541-A:16, I(b) |
Hab
202.01 |
RSA
679:5 |
Hab
202.02 |
RSA
679:5, IV; RSA 677:4; RSA 677:15 |
Hab
202.03 |
RSA
679:9, I; RSA 541-A:31, III, IV |
Hab
202.04 |
RSA
679:15; RSA 541:3; RSA 541:4; RSA 541:6 |
Hab
202.05 |
RSA
541-A:31, V; RSA 541-A:38 |
|
|
Hab
203 (Specific
sections implementing specific statutes are listed below.) |
RSA
679:12 |
Hab
203.01 |
RSA
541-A:4 |
Hab
203.02 |
RSA
541-A:6 |
Hab
203.03 |
RSA
541-A:6, I; RSA 541-A:11 |
Hab 203.04 |
RSA 541-A:4; RSA
541-A:6; RSA 541-A:11; RSA 541-A:16, I(c) |
Hab 203.05 |
RSA 541-A:6; RSA
541-A:11 |
|
|
Hab 204 (Specific sections
implementing specific statutes are listed below.) |
RSA 541-A:3, RSA
541-A:11 |
Hab 204.01 |
RSA 541-A |
Hab 204.02 |
RSA 541-A:11 |
Hab 204.03 |
RSA 541-A:6; RSA
541-A:11, I |
Hab 204.04 |
RSA 541-A:11, IV |
Hab 204.05 |
RSA 541-A:11 |
Hab 204.06 |
RSA 541-A:1, XIV; RSA
541-A:11 |
Hab 204.07 |
RSA 541-A:6; RSA 541-A:11 |
|
|
New Hampshire Revised
Statutes Annotated (RSA) can be viewed at: https://www.gencourt.nh.us/RSA/htm/indexes/default.htm |
|
Hab 301 (Specific sections
implementing specific statutes are listed below.) |
RSA 679:13 |
Hab 301.01 |
RSA 91-A:4 |
Hab 301.02 |
RSA 541-A:16, I(b) |