HB 915 – AS INTRODUCED
2007 SESSION
04/09
HOUSE BILL 915
AN ACT establishing a committee to study the trafficking and distribution of illegal drugs into and throughout New Hampshire.
SPONSORS: Rep. Hinkle, Hills 19; Rep. Mooney, Hills 19; Rep. O’Neil, Hills 19; Rep. Hansen, Hills 6; Sen. Roberge, Dist 9
COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
This bill establishes a committee to study the trafficking and distribution of illegal drugs into and throughout New Hampshire.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
07-0519
04/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seven
AN ACT establishing a committee to study the trafficking and distribution of illegal drugs into and throughout New Hampshire.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study the trafficking and distribution of illegal drugs into and throughout New Hampshire.
2 Membership and Compensation.
I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:
(a) Five members of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be from the criminal justice and public safety committee, and one of whom shall be from the judiciary committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) Three members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.
3 Duties.
I. The committee shall study:
(a) The drug trafficking cycle, including wholesale distribution and in-state cultivation and laboratory production.
(b) Smuggling and transportation methods.
(c) The role played by drug gangs and other criminal organizations, trafficking organizations, and motorcycle gangs in the distribution of drugs.
(d) The drug distribution routes by which drugs enter New Hampshire, including the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, other smaller in-state airports, sea ports, and land routes.
(e) Cross-border activities with Canada and surrounding states.
(f) The role played by night clubs, bars, and dance clubs in the distribution of drugs.
(g) The role of the Internet in the availability and distribution of drugs.
(h) The availability and abuse of pharmaceutical drugs and opiates used to treat drug addiction.
II. The committee shall recommend legislation implementing improved methods for interdictions of drug shipments and data collection and reporting to support such interdictions. The committee shall also investigate federal grants and other possible sources of funding for such efforts.
III. The committee may solicit input from any individual or organization with information or expertise relevant to its duties.
4 Nonpublic Session. Notwithstanding RSA 91-A:3, the committee shall, upon a recorded vote of 2/3 of the members present, be permitted to enter nonpublic session based on a reasonable concern that information under consideration by the committee, if made public, would jeopardize the effectiveness of any ongoing or planned law enforcement investigation, or would endanger the life of any person involved with such investigation. Any person may request a nonpublic session under this section. Such request shall be voted on as provided in this section. No minutes shall be taken or recorded in any nonpublic session.
5 Administrative Attachment. This committee shall be administratively attached to the department of administrative services, which shall assist the committee with the drafting and preparation of required reports and with other administrative tasks as needed.
6 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. Five members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
7 Report.
I. The committee shall submit a progress report to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and the governor, no later than 3 months after the effective date of this act.
II. The committee shall submit a full report of 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.
8 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.