HB75 (2011) Detail

Establishing a commission to study bed bugs in New Hampshire.


HB 75 – AS INTRODUCED

2011 SESSION

11-0153

01/03

HOUSE BILL 75

AN ACT establishing a commission to study bed bugs in New Hampshire.

SPONSORS: Rep. Long, Hills 10

COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a commission to study bed bugs in 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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

11-0153

01/03

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eleven

AN ACT establishing a commission to study bed bugs in New Hampshire.

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

1 Statement of Intent. The general court finds that there has been a resurgence of bed bugs nationwide, including in New Hampshire, and that increasing numbers of New Hampshire residents and businesses have suffered as a result of bed bug infestations. The general court further finds that bed bug infestations threaten New Hampshire’s quality of life and economy.

2 New Chapter; Commission to Study Bed Bugs in New Hampshire. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 126-U the following new chapter:

CHAPTER 126-V

COMMISSION TO STUDY BED BUGS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

126-V:1 Commission Established. There is established a commission to study bed bugs in New Hampshire.

126-V:2 Membership and Compensation.

I. 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.

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

(c) The governor, or designee.

II. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

126-V:3 Duties.

I. The commission shall:

(a) Examine the scope of the problem of bed bugs in New Hampshire.

(b) Determine strategies to eliminate the problem of bed bugs in New Hampshire, including prevention of future infestations and remediation of existing ones.

(c) Make any recommendations for legislation to address the problem of bed bugs in New Hampshire, if appropriate.

II. The commission shall seek testimony from the following:

(a) The department of agriculture, markets, and food.

(b) The department of education.

(c) The department of environmental services.

(d) The division of public health services, department of health and human services.

(e) The division of public health services, maternal and child health section, department of health and human services.

(f) The division of travel and tourism development, department of resources and economic development.

(g) University of New Hampshire cooperative extension.

(h) The New Hampshire Health Officers Association.

(i) The New Hampshire Building Officials Association.

(j) The New Hampshire College and University Council.

(k) The New Hampshire Local Welfare Administrators Association.

(l) The New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association.

(m) The New Hampshire Camp Directors Association.

(n) The New Hampshire housing financing authority and one or more local housing authorities.

(o) The New Hampshire Property Owners Association.

(p) New Hampshire Legal Assistance.

(q) One or more community action programs.

(r) One or more municipal health departments.

(s) One or more refugee resettlement agencies.

(t) One or more refugee organizations.

(u) One or more tenants’ associations.

(v) One or more representatives of the retail furniture industry.

(w) One or more representatives of the pest control industry.

(x) Any other person or entity the commission deems relevant to its study.

126-V: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. Three members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

126-V:5 Report. The commission 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, 2011.

3 Repeal. RSA 126-V, relative to the commission to study bed bugs in New Hampshire, is repealed.

4 Effective Date.

I. Section 3 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2011.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.