HB 189 – AS INTRODUCED
2005 SESSION
05/01
HOUSE BILL 189
AN ACT establishing an international trade commission to investigate and report on the effects of international trade agreements on New Hampshire self-governance.
SPONSORS: Rep. Weed, Ches 3; Rep. Pratt, Ches 2; Rep. P. Allen, Ches 6
COMMITTEE: State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
This bill establishes an international trade commission to evaluate the impact of existing and proposed international trade agreements on the ability of the state of New Hampshire and its municipalities to pass laws and ordinances regarding public health and safety, environmental protection, labor standards, and the provision of public services.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
05-0070
05/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Five
AN ACT establishing an international trade commission to investigate and report on the effects of international trade agreements on New Hampshire self-governance.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Chapter; International Trade Commission. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 19-I the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 19-J
INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
19-J:1 Commission Established; Membership.
I. There is established a commission to evaluate the impact of existing and proposed international trade agreements on the ability of the state of New Hampshire and its municipalities to pass laws and ordinances regarding public health and safety, environmental protection, labor standards, and the provision of public services.
II. The members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Four members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house, including one member of the committee responsible for state-federal relations, one member of the committee responsible for labor issues, one member of the committee responsible for environmental and agricultural affairs, and one member of the committee responsible for health and human services.
(b) Four members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(c) The attorney general, or designee.
III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
IV. The terms of the legislators and the attorney general shall be coterminous with their respective legislative terms and appointments.
19-J:2 Duties.
I. The commission shall regularly review the effect that international trade agreements have on state laws and shall determine whether any of the international agreements to which the United States is a party conflict with existing state law.
II. The commission shall conduct at least one public hearing a year to take testimony on proposed international agreements regarding trade and investment. In addition, in the first year, the commission shall take testimony on the World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade Agreement.
19-J:3 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission in each legislative biennium shall be called by the first-named house member. Three members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
19-J:4 Annual Report. The commission shall issue an annual report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the New Hampshire delegation to the United States Congress, and the state library.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.