HB 654-FN-A-LOCAL - AS INTRODUCED
2015 SESSION
05/03
HOUSE BILL 654-FN-A-LOCAL
AN ACT relative to the distribution of marriage license fees and the funding source for the domestic violence grant program.
SPONSORS: Rep. Bickford, Straf 3
This bill provides that a portion of marriage license fees shall be deposited in the general fund rather than the fund for domestic violence grant programs. The bill also revises the funding source for the domestic violence grant program.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
15-0575
05/03
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fifteen
AN ACT relative to the distribution of marriage license fees and the funding source for the domestic violence grant program.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Marriage License Fee. Amend RSA 457:29 to read as follows:
457:29 Marriage License Fee. The fee for the marriage license shall be $45 to be paid by the parties entering into the marriage. The clerk shall forward $38 from each fee to the [department of health and human services for the purposes of RSA 173-B:15] treasurer for deposit in the general fund. The clerk shall retain the remaining $7 as the fee for making the records of notice, issuing the certificate of marriage, and forwarding the $38 portion of the marriage license fee.
2 Domestic Violence Grant Program. Amend RSA 173-B:15 and 173-B:16 to read as follows:
173-B:15 Fund for Domestic Violence Grant Program. A special fund for domestic violence programs is established. The sole purpose of the fund shall be to provide revenues for the domestic violence program established in RSA 173-B:16, and shall not be available for any other purpose. The state treasurer shall deposit all [fees] funds received by the department under [RSA 457:29] RSA 173-B:16 in the fund. All moneys deposited in the fund shall be continually appropriated for the purposes of the domestic violence grant program and shall not lapse.
173-B:16 Grant Program Established. A grant program is established within the department for the allocation of grant money to New Hampshire programs which provide aid and assistance to victims of domestic violence. [The grant program shall be funded by the fund established under RSA 173-B:15.] The commissioner is authorized to accept public and private sector funds from any source, including gifts, grants, and donations, for the purpose of funding the grant program. Such funds shall be deposited in the special fund for domestic violence programs established in RSA 173-B:15.
3 Dedicated Funds. Amend RSA 6:12, I(b)(12) to read as follows:
(12) Moneys [received under RSA 457:29, which shall be credited to] deposited in the special fund for domestic violence programs under RSA 173-B:15
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015.
LBAO
15-0575
Revised 01/30/15
HB 654-FN-LOCAL FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT relative to the distribution of marriage license fees and the funding source for the domestic violence grant program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Office of Legislative Budget Assistance states this bill, as introduced, will increase state general fund revenue, decrease state restricted revenue, and have an indeterminable fiscal impact on state expenditures in FY 2016 and each year thereafter. There will be no fiscal impact on county or local revenue and expenditures.
METHODOLOGY:
The Office of Legislative Budget assistant states under current law $38 from each marriage license fee is dedicated to the fund for the domestic violence grant program established in RSA 173-B:15. The amount deposited from marriage license fees totaled $403,772 in FY 2013, and $197,696 in FY 2014, and has averaged $307,400 over the past five years. This proposal would deposit these amounts into the state general fund and authorize the commissioner to accept gifts, grants, and donations to fund the domestic violence grants. The amount of gifts, grants, and donations which may be available for program expenditures cannot be projected.
The Department of Health and Human Services states this bill would direct the transfer of $38 of each marriage license fee from the Department, where it funds the domestic violence grant program, to the state treasurer for deposit into the state general fund. The legislation would also authorize the commissioner to accept public and private funding for the domestic violence grant program. The Department states, since the funds currently pass through the Department, redirection of these amounts will not impact the Department’s budget.
The Department of State indicates the Division of Vital Records currently collects a portion of the marriage license fees from city and town clerks and deposits the money into the domestic violence fund administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. The Department states if collection of the fee is handled by the state treasury, the change would reduce some staff time but not enough to impact the number of positions or the budget of the Secretary of State.