CHAPTER 365
SB 162 – FINAL VERSION
04/05/07 1073s
31May2007… 1592h
06/27/07 2159eba
2007 SESSION
06/01
SENATE BILL 162
AN ACT establishing a commission to oversee and negotiate issues relative to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
SPONSORS: Sen. Cilley, Dist 6; Sen. DeVries, Dist 18; Rep. Nord, Rock 1; Rep. Splaine, Rock 16; Rep. Pilliod, Belk 5
COMMITTEE: Energy, Environment and Economic Development
This bill establishes a citizens trade policy 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, state and local procurement, and the provision of public services.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
04/05/07 1073s
31May2007… 1592h
06/27/07 2159eba
07-1281
06/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seven
AN ACT establishing a commission to oversee and negotiate issues relative to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
365:1 New Chapter; Citizens Trade Policy Commission. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 19-K the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 19-L
CITIZENS TRADE POLICY COMMISSION
19-L:1 Commission Established; Purpose.
I. There is established a citizens trade policy commission. The commission shall assess and monitor the legal and economic effects of trade agreements on state and local laws, working conditions, and the business environment; provide a mechanism for citizens and legislators to voice their concerns and recommendations; and make policy recommendations designed to protect New Hampshire's jobs, business environment, and laws from any negative impact of trade agreements.
II. The members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, including one member of the commerce committee and one member of
the labor, industrial and rehabilitative services committee.
(b) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate, including one member of the executive departments and administration committee, and one member of the energy, environment, and economic development committee.
(c) The attorney general, or designee.
(d) Four public members as follows: one representative for small business, one representative for small farms, one representative of a non-profit organization that promotes fair trade, and one representative of a New Hampshire based corporation that is active in international trade, appointed by the governor.
(e) The New Hampshire state point of contact for the United States Trade Representative.
(f) Three public members as follows: one health care professional, one representative of a New Hampshire based manufacturing business with 25 or more employees, and one representative of an economic development organization, appointed by the governor.
(g) Four public members as follows: one member who is active in the organized labor community, one member of a nonprofit human rights organization, one member of a nonprofit environmental organization, and one member who is active in the business community in a managerial capacity, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(h) One member of the advisory committee on international trade.
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. The terms of the members appointed under subparagraph II(d)-(g) shall be 3 years; provided, that the initial terms may be staggered.
19-L:2 Duties.
I. The commission shall:
(a) Meet at least twice annually.
(b) Hear public testimony and recommendations from the people of the state and qualified experts, when appropriate, at no fewer than 2 locations throughout the state each year on the actual and potential social, environmental, economic, and legal impacts of international trade agreements and negotiations on the state.
(c) Conduct a bi-annual assessment of the impact of international trade agreements on New Hampshire state laws, municipal laws, working conditions, and business environment, and identify new and emerging concerns that merit further attention.
II. The commission may:
(a) Recommend or submit legislation to the general court.
(b) Recommend that the state support, or withhold its support from future trade negotiations or agreements.
(c) Examine any aspects of international trade, international economic integration, and trade agreements that the members of the commission consider appropriate.
III. The commission may seek and accept outside funding in the form of gifts, grants, and donations to fulfill commission duties.
19-L:3 Chairperson. 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 senate member.
19-L:4 Annual Report. The commission shall issue an annual report, describing the activities of the commission and the issues raised at public hearings, beginning on November 1, 2008 to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the labor commissioner, the chairman of the house standing committee having jurisdiction over state-federal relations and veterans affairs, the New Hampshire congressional delegation, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, the United States Trade Representative, and the state library.
365:2 Repeal. RSA 19-L, relative to the citizens trade policy commission, is repealed.
365:3 Effective Date.
I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect on January 1, 2015.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved: July 17, 2007
Effective: I. Section 2 shall take effect January 1, 2015.
II. Remainder shall take effect July 17, 2007.