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May 2, 2002

To the Honorable Members of the General Court:

By the authority vested in me as Governor of New Hampshire, pursuant to Part II, Article 44 of the Constitution of New Hampshire, I have this day vetoed Senate Bill 336, an act establishing a committee to study campaign finance reform and apportioning state representative districts.

As with H.B. 420, this senate bill violates Part II, Article 9 of the New Hampshire Constitution, which requires districts in the House of Representatives to "be as equal as circumstances shall admit." For citizens in a representative democracy like ours, the right to vote is a precious right, but that right is empty unless we ensure that each vote is counted and counted equally.

Unfortunately, S.B. 336 sets up districts that are so far from any measure of equality that it would destroy the cherished belief that the New Hampshire House is the model of representative democracy in the free world.

However, only 17 of the 400 House seats created by S.B. 336 contain a population even within five percent of the ideal of 3,089 people. In fact, under S.B. 336, on average each House member would represent 11,699 people, more than three times the number of people that would reside in a district that meets the constitutional requirement of one person, one vote.

As with H.B. 420, floterial and multi-member districts lie at the heart of many of the problems with S.B. 336. Floterial and multi-member districts have become a crutch for the current architects of House redistricting. Rather than take the time and make the effort to create as many single-member districts as possible that approximate the ideal 3,089 people in size, the architects of S.B. 336 rely heavily on gargantuan districts. Under S.B. 336, a full 272 of the 400 seats in the New Hampshire House are in floterial and multi-member districts.

S.B. 336 creates a monstrous floterial district in Coos County that encompasses 20,956 people, almost two-thirds of the county’s total population. The district covers 541 square miles, an area larger than either Strafford County or Belknap County.

As with H.B. 420, this bill unnecessarily treats similar situations in different parts of the State quite differently and unnecessarily changes the form and boundaries of existing districts. This redistricting scheme is unconstitutional, fundamentally unfair, and internally inconsistent.

For all of the above reasons, I am today vetoing Senate Bill 336.

SB 29, relative to amending warrant articles by political subdivisions that have adopted the official ballot referendum form of meeting.

SB 87, relative to permissible campaign contributions by business organizations and labor unions.

SB 105, relative to instream flow plan requirements.

SB 146, relative to personal watercraft.

SB 173-FN-A, creating a business profits tax credit for certain donations made for science and technology equipment and facilities to the university system of New Hampshire or any of its component institutions.

SB 325, establishing a committee to study the use of state vehicles.

SB 335, relative to prohibited political contributions.

SB 382, relative to display of flags on condominium units.

SB 401-FN-A, relative to long-term care funding and making an appropriation therefor.

SB 407-FN, requiring restroom facilities in certain state buildings.

SB 421-FN-A, authorizing the Berlin campus of the New Hampshire regional community-technical college system to upgrade and modernize its equipment and programs and authorizing manufacturing technology training in the town of Littleton, and making an appropriation therefor.

SB 428, changing the name of the joint committee on legislative facilities and codifying the powers and duties of the committee.

HB 157, (New Title) clarifying the immunity from liability of persons providing emergency care.

HB 193, establishing a committee to study state payments for court-ordered placements of special education pupils.

HB 325-FN, relative to certain acts of sexual assault.

HB 466, relative to the selection of replacement justices for supreme court justices who are disqualified to hear cases.

HB 586, excluding stepchildren from the definition of "child" in the context of support orders.

HB 679, establishing a commission to examine models of out-of-school care for children in kindergarten through grade 12.

HB 686, relative to the scope of discovery in abuse and neglect cases.

HB 722, (New Title) relative to town, village district, and school district elections.

HB 748-FN-A-L, (2nd New Title) revising the definition of an adequate education and revising the weighted pupil formula used to calculate the cost of an adequate education.

HB 1221, relative to coordinating certain town and school district meetings.

OSTEOPOROSIS ADVISORY COUNCIL (RSA 126-I:3) Room 102, LOB

SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE FISCAL COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL COURT ON TAX SIMULATION & FORECASTING MODELS Room 212, LOB

NH BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD INJURY ADVISORY COUNCIL (RSA 137-K:2) Room 205, LOB

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Franklin 13250, US 3/NH 11 & Sanborn Street Improvements) Franklin City Hall, 316 Central Street, Franklin, NH

ASSESSING STANDARDS BOARD (RSA 21-J:14-a) Room 301, LOB

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

LONG RANGE CAPITAL PLANNING AND UTILIZATION COMMITTEE Room 201, LOB

FISCAL COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL COURT Room 210-211, LOB

LEGISLATIVE ETHICS COMMITTEE (RSA 14-B:2) Room 304, LOB

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Belmont 12916, US 3/NH11) NHDOT, 1 Hazen Dr. Highway Design Conference room, Concord, NH

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Milford-Nashua, 10136 NH Rte 101A Corridor Study) NRPC Office, 115 Main Street Nashua, NH

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Access Management Workshop) Randolph Town Hall, Randolph, NH

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Plaistow-Kinston, 10044-B, NH 125 Reconstruction) Plaistow Town Library, 85 Main Street, Plaistow, NH

EQUALIZATION STANDARDS BOARD (RSA 21-J:14-c) Banquet Hall, Town of Milford, 1 Union Square, Milford, NH

PRIVACY TASK FORCE (HB 702, Chapter 256, Laws of 2001) Room 210-211, LOB

WELLNESS & PRIMARY PREVENTION COUNCIL (RSA 126-M:3) Room 205, LOB

CERTIFICATE OF NEED STATUTE TASK FORCE (RSA 151-C:16) Room 203, LOB

NH-CANADIAN TRADE COUNCIL (RSA 12-A:2-g) Room 306, LOB

GUARDIANS AD LITEN (SB 448, Chapter 321, Laws of 2000) Room 102, LOB

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Derry 13249, Improvements to the intersection of NH route 102 Broadway and NH Route 28, Birch Street and Crystal Avenue) Derry Municipal Center, 14 Manning Street, Derry, NH

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Easton-Woodstock 12971, NH Rte 112) NHDOT, 1 Hazen Dr. Room 112, Concord, NH

10:00 a.m. Commission Meeting

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Bethlehem-Carroll Repaving of Route 3) Carroll Town Hall Gymnasium, 92 School Street, Carroll, NH

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Warren-Wentworth 11847) Executive Council, State House

TELECOMMUNICATIONS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (RSA 374:22-h) Room 304, LOB

EQUALIZATION STANDARDS BOARD (RSA 21-J:14-c) Auditorium, Lancaster Town Hall, 25 Main Street, Lancaster, NH

EQUALIZATION STANDARDS BOARD (RSA 21-J:14-c) Community Room Lower Floor, Pease Public Library, 1 Russell Street, Plymouth, NH

JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE RULES Rooms 306-308, LOB

COMMISSION ON EDUCATION OF DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING PERSONS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (HB 1283, Chapter 43, Laws of 2000) Room 205, LOB

LONG-TERM RATE CARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (RSA 151-E:6-a) Room 103, SH

OIL FUND DISBURSEMENT (RSA 146-D:4) Room 305, LOB

NH CIVIL WAR MEMORIALS COMMISSION (RSA 21-K:18) Room 203, LOB

ASSESSING STANDARDS BOARD (RSA 21-J:14-a) Room 301, LOB

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Franklin 12938, NH Route 11 & NH Route 3A) NHDOT, 1 Hazen Dr. Rooms 112 & 113, Concord NH

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Warren-Benton 13209, NH Route 25) Willing Workers Hall, NH Route 25, Glencliff, NH

TOBACCO USE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (RSA 126-K:19) Landergan Hall, Room 12, Department of Education, 101 Pleasant St. Concord, NH

EQUALIZATION STANDARDS BOARD (RSA 21-J:14-c) Fire House, Town of Brentwood, 148 Crawley Falls Rd. Brentwood, NH

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Lebanon 13444, Reconstruct the Northbound Weigh Station 500' north of existing location and upgrade the southbound weigh station at its present location (City hall Councilors Chambers 51 North Park Street 3^rd Floor Lebanon, NH

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION(Governor's Tourism Conference) Balsams Hotel

CAPITAL BUDGET OVERVIEW COMMITTEE Room 201, LOB

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Alton 12894, Repaving of Rte. 28 4.0 miles. Ending 200 feet north of Rte 28-A & upgrades) Alton Town Hall, 1 Monument Square, Alton, NH

7:00 p.m. Combined Public Officials/ Informational Meeting

OSTEOPOROSIS ADVISORY COUNCIL (RSA 126-I:3) room 102, LOB

NH BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD INJURY ADVISORY COUNCIL (RSA 137-K:2) Room 205, LOB

JOINT HEALTH COUNCIL (Pursuant RSA 326-B:12) NH Board of Nursing, Room 17, 78 regional DR. Bldg 2, Concord NH

BOARD OF MANUFACTURED HOUSING (RSA 205-A:25) Room 201, LOB

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Whitefield, P2953, US Route 3, Reconstruction from Carrol T/L northerly 2.0 Miles to NH Rte 116 (Whitefield School, 34 Twin Mountain Road, US Route 3, Whitefield. NH

7:00 p.m. Public Hearing Commission

JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE RULES Rooms 306-308, LOB

LONG-TERM CARE RATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (RSA 151-E:6-a) Room 103, SH

SOURCES THAT BURN VIRGIN PETROLEUM OR COAL TO COMPLY WITH AIR TOXIC CONTROL ACT (RSA 125-I), STUDY OF PUBLIC HEATH AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS (SB 93, Chapter 88, Laws or 2001) Room 102, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

NH COLLEGE TUITION SAVINGS PLAN ADVISORY COMMISSION (RSA 195-H:2) Room 103, SH

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Senator Ned Gordon

1. All business of the legislative ethics committee, created by RSA 14-B, shall be governed by these rules.
2. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

1. "Hearing" is that procedure which follows a statement of formal charges.
2. "Legislative employee" includes all house, senate, and joint staff whether employed on a part-time, full-time, permanent or temporary basis.
3. "Legislative officer" includes those employees of the House and Senate who are elected by members of the General Court.
4. "Legislator" includes representatives and senators.
5. "Proceeding" includes each step taken or which may be taken under these rules with respect to a complaint filed with the committee alleging violation of the ethics guidelines by a legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee.

1. The committee may, by vote, establish regular or stated meeting dates. In addition, special meetings of the committee may be called by the chairperson or the vice-chairperson, or at the written request of three members of the committee.
2. The business of the committee may be transacted by telephone, exchange of correspondence, or other informal poll of members, unless one or more members object; provided, however, that no formal charges shall be instituted or formal proceedings ordered or unfavorable action taken against a legislator except upon deliberation and the affirmative vote of at least four members at a meeting of the committee.

1. A quorum for the transaction of business by the committee shall be four members. No action of the committee shall be valid unless concurred in by four of its members, except as otherwise provided in these rules.
2. No member of the committee shall participate in any business in which his or her impartiality might reasonably be questioned.

1. Except as provided in this section, all proceedings before the committee, and all information, communications, materials, papers, files and transcripts, written or oral, received or developed by the committee in the course of the proceeding, shall be confidential. No member of the committee or its staff and no employee of the committee shall disclose such proceedings, information, communications, materials, papers, files and transcripts, except in the course of official duty or as otherwise authorized in this section.

1. Upon completion of its initial review of a complaint, the committee shall make available for public inspection all records, other than its work product and internal memoranda, relating to any complaint it does not dismiss, and shall conduct any subsequent proceedings, other than its deliberations, in public session.
2. If a legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee is publicly charged, through independent sources, with involvement in a proceeding before the committee, or publicly charged with conduct likely to become the subject of a proceeding, the committee may, at the request or with the consent of the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee involved, issue brief public statements as it deems appropriate in order to confirm or deny the pendency of the proceeding, to clarify the procedural aspects thereof, to explain the right of the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee to a fair hearing without prejudgment, and to state that the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee denies the allegations.
3. If the pendency of a proceeding before the committee is generally known to the public, through independent sources, and the subject matter thereof is of broad public interest or speculation, and public confidence in the administration of the ethics guidelines may be threatened because of lack of information concerning the status of the proceeding and the requirements of due process, the committee may, on its own motion, issue brief statements as it may deem appropriate in order to confirm the existence of the investigation, to clarify the procedural aspects of the proceeding, to explain that the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee is entitled to due process, and to state that the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee denies the allegations.
4. If the committee, at any stage of a proceeding, dismisses a complaint or formal charges, whether from insufficiency of the complaint or because there is insufficient cause to proceed further with the matter or for other reason, the committee shall inform the complainant of such disposition. In addition, the committee may, at the request or with the consent of the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee concerned, issue a short explanatory statement to the public.

1. If the committee, prior to completion of its initial review, disposes of a complaint by written reprimand or by other informal resolution, it shall inform the complainant that it has taken appropriate remedial action (but shall not disclose the details of such action unless the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee complained against so consents).
2. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the committee from preparing and releasing to the public materials which are not related to any particular proceeding or situation. Such materials may include explanations of:

1. The jurisdiction of the committee and the limitations upon its powers and authority;
2. The procedure for filing complaints; and
3. The internal procedures of the committee.

1. Nothing herein shall prevent the committee from responding to unjustified public criticism of a legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee which is not the subject of a proceeding, and the committee may so respond in appropriate cases upon deliberation and the affirmative vote of at least four members at a meeting of the committee.
2. Any violation of these provisions relating to confidentiality shall constitute a violation of RSA 14-B and these rules. The committee may enforce these provisions by appropriate proceedings. The committee may, at the request of the non-violating party or on its own motion, terminate the proceedings with or without public comment. Notwithstanding the provisions of this rule, the committee may disclose to an appropriate law enforcement authority any matter that comes before it.

1. Each complaint shall be submitted in writing and signed under oath by the complainant. The legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee complained against shall be furnished with a copy of the complaint, and a copy shall be sent to each member of the committee for review.
2. The committee shall [evaluate] conduct an initial review of each complaint promptly after receipt to ascertain whether the committee has jurisdiction to consider the same under RSA 14-B. The committee may invite the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee complained against, the complainant, and any other individual or individuals the committee deems appropriate, to appear before the committee to testify or to submit written evidence. If it clearly appears on the face of the complaint or from preliminary inquiries by the committee that the complaint does not allege conduct on the part of the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee which, if established, would be contrary to the law, ethics guidelines, rules or regulations, the committee shall dismiss the complaint, and shall notify the complainant in writing that the matter raised is outside the committee's jurisdiction, assigning the reason therefor.
3. If the committee determines, upon [preliminary] completion of its initial review, that a complaint is obviously without merit or is obviously unfounded, it shall dismiss the complaint and advise the complainant in writing of such action.

1. The committee shall dismiss any complaint arising out of acts or omissions occurring more than two years prior to the receipt of the complaint, and the complainant shall be so advised in writing. However, when the last episode of an alleged pattern of recurring legislative conduct arises within the 2-year period, the committee may consider all prior acts or omissions alleged to be a part of such pattern.
2. Receipt by the committee of a complaint which is repetitive of a prior complaint, whether from the same or a different source, following disposition of the initial complaint, shall be acknowledged, but the committee shall take no further action thereon.
3. Any complaint which appears to have merit, but which is defective in some respect so that the committee cannot act thereon, or requires clarification, may be returned to the complainant for clarification and resubmission.
4. The individual who is the subject of the complaint shall be notified promptly in writing of any action taken by the committee pursuant to this section.

1. Except where the complaint has been dismissed pursuant to paragraph II, III, or IV of section 4 of these rules, the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee complained against shall respond in writing to the merits of the complaint within 20 days of the date of the notice sent by the committee. Such response shall be filed with the committee which shall send a copy of the response to the complainant.
2. In addition to such required response, the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee may submit to the committee other relevant materials.

1. The committee may order an investigation of any complaint properly before it, upon the affirmative vote of four or more members of the committee taken at a meeting thereof. Such investigation shall be conducted under the direction of the chairperson and in such manner as the chairperson may determine.
2. The legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee shall be notified of the investigation, and afforded a reasonable opportunity to present such relevant matters as he or she may choose.
3. In conducting an investigation, the chairperson may require that any statement or written information furnished to the committee be given under oath or affirmation subject to the penalties for perjury or false swearing in official proceedings pursuant to RSA 641.

1. If, after preliminary investigation the committee concludes, by the affirmative vote of four or more members taken at a meeting, that formal proceedings should be instituted to inquire into any complaint, it shall prepare and file a formal statement of charges and shall set a time and place of hearing before itself. The committee shall promptly serve the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, with a copy of the formal statement of charges together with a notice of hearing.
2. The formal statement of charges shall (1) contain a clear summary of the allegations against the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee and of the alleged facts forming the basis of such allegations (including facts developed by the investigation), (2) identify and cite those provisions of the law, ethics guidelines, rules or regulations alleged to have been violated, and (3) advise the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee of his or her duty to answer as provided in paragraph VI of this section.
3. The formal statement of charges together with the notice of hearing shall be served on the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee at least 21 days prior to the hearing date assigned.
4. The notice of hearing shall include the following:

1. the date, time and place of the hearing;
2. the fact that both the committee and the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee may be represented by counsel at the hearing, may secure the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents by subpoena, and may examine and cross-examine witnesses;
3. the identity of any special counsel for the committee; and
4. the fact that all further notices concerning the hearing, including any adjournments thereof, shall be given by the chairperson or pursuant to his direction.

1. The committee shall give notice to the complainant of the date, time and place of the hearing. The complainant shall be entitled to attend the hearing as an observer, and may be required to attend and participate therein as a witness, but shall have no other function or right with respect to the hearing.

1. Within 14 days after receipt of the formal statement of charges, the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee shall file an answer with the committee, setting forth all denials, affirmative defenses, mitigating circumstances and other matters which the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee intends to raise at the hearing.
7. At any time prior to final decision, the committee may allow or require an amendment of the formal statement of charges, and may allow an amendment of the answer. When an amendment is made to the formal statement of charges, whether before or after commencement of the hearing, the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to answer the matters newly charged, as determined by the chairperson, and shall answer such matters within the time allowed. In any such case, the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee shall also be afforded a reasonable time, as determined by the chairperson, in which to prepare his or her defense to the matters newly alleged.
8. For good cause shown, the chairperson may extend the time within which the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee is required to file his or her answer, and may grant a continuance of the scheduled hearing, but no such extension or continuance shall be for a period longer than 30 days without the concurrence of the committee.
9. The committee may terminate the proceeding and dismiss the complaint and formal statement of charges following the answer by the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee or at any time thereafter, and shall in that event give notice to the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee and the complainant that it has found insufficient cause to proceed.

1. At any time after the filing of a formal statement of charges, the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee or his or her counsel shall, upon written request, be entitled, as a matter of course:

1. to obtain the names and addresses of all persons known to the committee to have relevant information;
2. to examine and copy any of the following:

1. statements of the complainant;
2. statements of persons claiming to have knowledge of the acts, omissions or events underlying the formal proceeding;
3. investigative reports made by or for the committee in connection with the proceeding; and
4. any other writing or item which is relevant to the proceeding, or which appears likely to lead to relevant information.

1. anything in this section to the contrary notwithstanding, the committee shall not be required to disclose to the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee the identity of any informant who will not be called as a witness in support of the charges, and who has declined to sign a written complaint, unless the alleged misconduct was directed at the informant.

1. The legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee shall make available to the committee, as a matter of course, upon the written request of the chairperson, or special counsel, any specified material which would be discoverable in civil proceedings in this State.
2. Nothing in this section shall authorize access to any information, writing or other item which is privileged by law, or which is protected as an attorney's work product.
3. The committee shall have the power to subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance and testimony, and require the production of books, records, documents or other evidence or material deemed relevant to the investigation or hearing. Such subpoena powers may be exercised for the committee by the chairperson or special counsel to the committee.
4. The subpoena powers of the committee shall be exercised in behalf of the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee upon his or her written request or the written request of his or her counsel.

1. The hearing shall [not] be open to the public [unless the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee so requests]. The deliberations of the committee shall be conducted in nonpublic session.
2. The committee may proceed with the hearing at the time and place fixed, whether or not the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee has filed an answer or appears for the hearing. The committee may draw an unfavorable inference from the failure of the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee to answer or appear; but no such failure, standing alone, shall be sufficient to meet the standard of proof.
3. A violation of the law, ethics guidelines, rule or regulation must be established by clear and convincing evidence. The legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee shall not be required to testify or present affirmative evidence in his or her own behalf.
4. The legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee shall be entitled to counsel of his or her choice, and shall have the right to adduce evidence, produce and cross-examine witnesses, and present all relevant arguments.
5. The committee shall not be bound by the technical rules of evidence, and may admit evidence which it considers to be reliable, material, and relevant. The chairperson shall rule on objections to the receipt of evidence, subject to being overruled by a majority of the committee present at the hearing. The chairperson may defer ruling on an objection to the receipt of evidence, and admit evidence subject to later ruling thereon.

1. The hearing shall be recorded verbatim by stenographic, electronic or other means approved by the committee. A free transcript of the hearing shall be provided to the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee, who may also tape record the hearing [with the permission of the committee].
3. The decision of the committee shall be based solely on the record evidence presented to the committee at the hearing, but shall not be based solely on hearsay evidence. The committee shall exclude from its consideration any information reviewed in earlier stages of the proceeding, unless such information is received in evidence at the hearing so as to become a part of the record.
4. At any time after the hearing is closed but prior to final decision, the committee may reopen the hearing for the taking of additional evidence. The legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee and the complainant shall be given such notice of any supplemental session as the circumstances may reasonably require.

1. The committee shall issue its decision within 30 days after the hearing.
2. If the committee decides that a violation of the law, ethics guidelines, rules, or regulations has not been established, the proceeding shall be dismissed, and the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee and the complainant shall be so notified.
3. If the committee determines, by the affirmative vote of at least four of its members, that there has been a violation of the law, ethics guidelines, rules, or regulations but that the violation is not of a sufficiently serious nature to warrant the imposition of formal discipline by the Legislature, it shall dispose of the matter by informal resolution. Such disposition may take the form of written advice or private admonishment, requirement of corrective action, direction of professional counseling or assistance, imposition of conditions on the specified conduct, or other similar remedial action, or any combination of the foregoing. Prior to deciding upon such disposition, the committee may afford the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee an opportunity to meet with it or its designated member or members to discuss the matter. All private admonishments, reprimands and other informal adjustments shall be reduced to writing.
4. If the committee determines, by the affirmative vote of at least four of its members, that there was improper conduct based upon clear and convincing evidence and the improper conduct was of a serious nature so as to warrant formal disciplinary action it shall prepare a summary report of the deliberations regarding the complaint and of its findings. The report shall contain any specific recommendations concerning disciplinary actions to be imposed.

1. In cases involving a legislator, or officer of the legislature, the committee shall submit its report to the speaker of the house and senate president. The report may [contain] recommend[ations] [for] one or more of the following disciplinary actions: reprimand, censure [or], expulsion, or denial or limitation of any right, power, privilege, or immunity of the legislator that the constitution of New Hampshire permits the general court to deny or limit. Before any disciplinary action may be taken against a legislator or against an officer of the legislature, the report shall be ratified by the legislator's or by the officer's respective body of the general court.
2. In cases involving an employee of the legislature, except in cases involving an employee of the legislature employed by the legislative budget assistant, the committee shall submit its report to the joint committee on legislative facilities. In cases involving an employee of the legislature employed by the legislative budget assistant, the committee shall submit its report to the fiscal committee of the general court. The joint committee on legislative facilities, or the fiscal committee of the general court, shall determine what disciplinary action [may] shall be taken against the employee. In making its determination, the joint committee on legislative facilities or the fiscal committee of the general court as appropriate may use any of the specific recommendations concerning disciplinary actions which are contained in the report which it receives.

1. Any member who dissents from the determination of the committee may prepare a minority opinion which shall be appended to the report of the committee. The committee shall also prepare a record of the proceeding, which shall include the committee's formal statement of charges, the answer of the legislator, legislative officer or legislative employee, any other pleadings, and a transcript of the hearing. The committee's report shall be filed with the clerk of the appropriate house of the legislature. Contemporaneously with such filing, copies shall be served on the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee.

1. A closed file may be referred to by the committee in subsequent proceedings in the following circumstances:

1. Where a complaint or formal charges have been dismissed for any reason or there has been a finding of insufficient cause to proceed, and the subsequent proceeding raises similar allegations against the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee or is based upon a similar occurrence or factual situation, the closed file may be used to exonerate the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee or may be made a part of the investigation of the new complaint; or
2. Where, after the disposition of a prior proceeding by informal resolution, the legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee fails to refrain from acting in the manner that caused the prior complaint to be filed and a subsequent complaint is filed alleging similar conduct which is established or proven, the closed file may be used as evidence tending to show that the problem is a continuing one; or
3. Where, following the hearing of subsequent related or unrelated charges, the committee determines that a violation of the law, ethics guidelines, rule or regulation has occurred, the closed file may be referred to in connection with the decision as to the nature of the informal resolution to be imposed by the committee or as to the disciplinary action to be recommended to the Legislature.

Adopted: April 27, 1992

Amended: May 18, 1994

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Senator Arthur P. Klemm Jr.

President of the Senate

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A shotgun start is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. The format is "Captain and Crew".

Sign-up as a foursome or sign-up by yourself in order to be placed in a foursome.

A maximum of 120 players will be allowed.

Please return your entry and payment no later than May 31^st to Sandy Wheeler at the LOB Lobby Desk. Please make checks payable to David S. Saltmarsh.

Senator Arthur P. Klemm Jr.

Senator Beverly A. Hollingworth

29^th Annual Bill White Memorial Golf Tournament

Pheasant Ridge Country Club

Gilford, NH

Name: 1. _______________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________

4. _______________________________________________________

Telephone: _________________________ Amount Enclosed: ___________

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JANUARY 2, 2002 CONVENING DAY

INTRODUCTION OF SENATE BILLS

(Calendar with all hearing published)

FEBRUARY 21, 2002 LAST DAY TO ACT ON SENATE BILLS

FEBRUARY 24, 2002 - MARCH 5, 2002 VACATION WEEK

APRIL 18, 2002 LAST DAY TO ACT ON ALL BILLS FROM OTHER BODY

APRIL 25, 2002 LAST DAY TO FORM COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCES

APRIL 30, 2002 - 12:00P.M. LAST DAY TO SIGN COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE REPORTS

MAY 2, 2002 LAST DAY TO ACT ON COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE REPORTS

MAY 22, 2002 VETO DAY

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 May 2002. These listings will replace individual notifications in an effort to reduce paper usage and to ensure all members will be notified in a timely manner. Our schedule is tightly booked for the remainder of the school year. Please contact the Visitors’ Center concerning school tour booking information. Thank you for your continued participation with your School Visitation Program.

Kenneth Leidner, Director