SB 392 – VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES
02/19/14 0556s
30Apr2014… 1500h
2014 SESSION
05/04
SENATE BILL 392
AN ACT establishing a commission on rural affairs.
SPONSORS: Sen. Woodburn, Dist 1
COMMITTEE: Energy and Natural Resources
This bill establishes a commission on rural affairs.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
02/19/14 0556s
30Apr2014… 1500h
14-2764
05/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fourteen
AN ACT establishing a commission on rural affairs.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Commission on Rural Affairs. Amend RSA 9-A by inserting after section 4 the following new section:
9-A:5 Commission on Rural Affairs Established. There is established a commission to study and make recommendations relating to public policy that specifically affects rural areas and rural people.
I. The members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(b) One member of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(c) Eight public members drawn from, respectively, the areas of health care, agriculture, natural resources, business, public safety, telecommunications, youth services, and local government, appointed by the governor.
(d) Two members appointed by the chancellor of the university system of New?Hampshire, one of whom shall be an employee of the UNH cooperative extension.
(e) One member appointed by the chancellor of the community college system of New?Hampshire.
II. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation. Legislative members of the commission shall serve a term coterminous with their term in office. Non-legislative members appointed under subparagraphs I(c), (d), and (e) shall serve for a term of 3 years, except that the initial appointment of such members shall be for staggered terms of one, 2, and 3 years. No member shall serve more than 3 consecutive terms.
III. The commission shall study and recommend actions:
(a) To expand economic and social opportunities for rural communities and their residents.
(b) To promote equal treatment of and effective delivery to rural areas by government agencies and the private sector.
(c) To assess the effectiveness of programs designed to promote rural viability.
(d) To provide a collective voice for rural areas.
IV. The commission shall have the authority to accept and expend funds from any public or private source, including private gifts, grants, and donations. The funds shall be used exclusively to further the purposes of the commission, which may include the payment of mileage to members of the commission.
V. 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. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
VI. Beginning September 15, 2015, and each September 15 thereafter, the commission shall submit an annual report of its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to at least the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.