HB157 (2007) Detail

Establishing a committee to determine a permanent location for the old state house.


HB 157 – AS INTRODUCED

2007 SESSION

07-0866

04/09

HOUSE BILL 157

AN ACT establishing a committee to determine a permanent location for the old state house.

SPONSORS: Rep. Cali-Pitts, Rock 16; Rep. Splaine, Rock 16

COMMITTEE: Public Works and Highways

ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a committee to determine a permanent location for the old state house.

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

07-0866

04/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seven

AN ACT establishing a committee to determine a permanent location for the old state house.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Statement of Purpose.

I. The general court recognizes that the old state house is an integral part of New Hampshire history. The general court further notes the following: It was originally built in 1758 in the center of the parade in Portsmouth. The building was specially designed to house the provincial government with rooms for the council, house of representatives, and courts on the second floor and one large meeting room on the first floor. As both a seat and symbol of government, the building saw dramatic and important events related to the final years of colonial government, the American Revolution, and the founding of the new nation. In 1765, on the day when the Stamp Act was to take effect, a mock funeral procession circled the state house mourning liberty. When the Stamp Act was repealed the following year, the celebrations centered at the state house. Here, in 1767, John Wentworth was received and sworn in as governor, commander in chief of the province, and vice admiral of the province of New Hampshire. There was originally a balcony at the second floor level on the east end of the building. There sheriff John Parker stood in 1776 to read the Declaration of Independence to large crowds, and the announcement was made of ratification of the peace treaty with Great Britain at the end of the Revolution. That evening, as on other important occasions, the state house was illuminated with candles in clay sockets in each window. When New Hampshire’s ratification of the federal Constitution occurred in June of 1788, the state house was again the center of rejoicing and the starting point for a great parade of tradesmen and professions. As the ninth state to ratify, New Hampshire’s decision actually brought the new government into being. The symbolism of this was not ignored, and at the illumination that evening, there were 9 candles in each window. The following year, when George Washington visited Portsmouth, he appeared on the state house balcony to be formally presented to the citizens.

II. The general court would like to see the first New Hampshire state house restored to its original size and appearance. Of the 13 colonies, only Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania have their original colonial capitol buildings still standing. The famous capitol at Williamsburg is a total reconstruction. A state house restored to its original size and appearance would be a mecca for New Hampshire citizens and school children as well as for the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit our state annually. Therefore, the general court hereby seeks to determine a permanent location for the old state house until funding is available for its restoration.

2 Committee Established. There is established a committee to determine a permanent location for the old state house.

3 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b) Three members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II. The committee shall consult with the Save Our Statehouse committee for advice and expertise on all matters relevant to determining a permanent location for the old state house.

III. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

4 Duties. The committee shall:

I. Recommend a site to be used as a permanent location for the old state house.

II. Propose legislation and funding requirements for a permanent location for the old state house.

III. Study any other issue which the committee deems relevant to its objective.

5 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

6 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2007.

7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.