TITLE I
THE STATE AND ITS GOVERNMENT

Chapter 17-S
AMERICAN REVOLUTION SESTERCENTENNIAL COMMISSION

Section 17-S:1


[RSA 17-S:1 repealed by 2022, 18:2, effective December 31, 2027.]
    17-S:1 Commission Established. – There is established the American Revolution sestercentennial commission, hereinafter referred to as the "commission." The purpose of the commission is to organize, arrange, and coordinate tributes to the American Revolution culminating with the signing of the Declaration of Independence and coordinate those activities with recognition of the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Source. 2022, 18:1, eff. Apr. 11, 2022.

Section 17-S:2


[RSA 17-S:2 repealed by 2022, 18:2, effective December 31, 2027.]
    17-S:2 Membership and Compensation. –
I. The members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate, with at least one member being from the minority caucus and one member from the majority caucus.
(b) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, with at least one member from the minority caucus and one member from the majority caucus.
(c) The commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources, or designee.
(d) The secretary of state, or designee.
(e) The chancellor of the university system of New Hampshire, or designee.
(f) The chancellor of the community college system of New Hampshire, or designee.
(g) The executive director of the New Hampshire historical society, or designee.
(h) The chair of the New Hampshire commission on Native American affairs, or designee.
(i) The governor, or designee.
(j) Three members of the public, appointed by the governor.
(k) The chair of the state veterans council as established in RSA 110-B:89, or designee.
II. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

Source. 2022, 18:1, eff. Apr. 11, 2022.

Section 17-S:3


[RSA 17-S:3 repealed by 2022, 18:2, effective December 31, 2027.]
    17-S:3 Duties. –
The commission shall:
I. Lead New Hampshire's planning efforts to commemorate the significance of the American Revolution and Declaration of Independence to our state and national history, including the raid on Fort William and Mary in Portsmouth in December 1774 which included the first shots fired in the American Revolution.
II. Make recommendations outlining the most effective and appropriate means for the state of New Hampshire to commemorate the American Revolution and Declaration of Independence sestercentennial celebration.
III. Identify and pursue resources necessary to effectively communicate and implement commemorative activities.
IV. Implement recommendations by working with the office of the governor, appropriate state and local government agencies, members of the New Hampshire general court, organizations, and individuals that are interested in commemorating the American Revolution and signing of the Declaration of Independence.
V. Coordinate communications with the United States sestercentennial commission to ensure that New Hampshire will be a significant state for events recognizing the American Revolution and signing of the Declaration of Independence.
VI. Coordinate scheduling of New Hampshire American Revolution sestercentennial activities and coordinate activities with the national commission.
VII. Solicit information and testimony from any individual or entity with information or expertise relative to the commission's charge.
VIII. Plan a publicly noticed and publicized event for July 4, 2026, relating to the American Revolution and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
IX. Plan a publicly noticed and publicized event for December 14, 2024, relating to the raid on Fort William and Mary, now named Fort Constitution.

Source. 2022, 18:1, eff. Apr. 11, 2022. 2023, 160:1, eff. July 28, 2023.

Section 17-S:4


[RSA 17-S:4 repealed by 2022, 18:2, effective December 31, 2027.]
    17-S:4 Chairperson; Quorum. – The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Eight members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

Source. 2022, 18:1, eff. Apr. 11, 2022.

Section 17-S:5


[RSA 17-S:5 repealed by 2022, 18:2, effective December 31, 2027.]
    17-S:5 Report. – Beginning November 1, 2022, the commission shall submit an annual report summarizing its activities and findings and making recommendations for American Revolution commemorative activities to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house or representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library.

Source. 2022, 18:1, eff. Apr. 11, 2022.

Section 17-S:6


[RSA 17-S:6 repealed by 2022, 18:2, effective December 31, 2027.]
    17-S:6 American Revolution Sestercentennial Trust Fund Established. –
I. There is hereby established in the state treasury a nonlapsing fund to be known as the American Revolution sestercentennial trust fund which shall be kept separate and distinct from all other funds. All monetary gifts, grants, and donations accepted pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited in such fund. The fund is established to pay for the expenses of the commission's duties and activities as set forth in RSA 17-S:3.
II. Any moneys remaining in this fund as of December 31, 2027 shall lapse into the general fund.

Source. 2022, 18:1, eff. Apr. 11, 2022.