HB178 (2017) Detail

Establishing a commission to study processes to resolve right-to-know complaints.


CHAPTER 126

HB 178 - FINAL VERSION

 

26Jan2017... 0049h

20Apr2017... 1586-EBA

2017 SESSION

17-0374

01/08

 

HOUSE BILL 178

 

AN ACT establishing a commission to study processes to resolve right-to-know complaints.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Weyler, Rock. 13; Rep. Souza, Hills. 43; Rep. Itse, Rock. 10; Rep. Spillane, Rock. 2; Sen. Giuda, Dist 2; Sen. Gray, Dist 6; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Avard, Dist 12

 

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill establishes a commission to study processes to resolve right-to-know complaints.

 

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

26Jan2017... 0049h

20Apr2017... 1586-EBA 17-0374

01/08

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen

 

AN ACT establishing a commission to study processes to resolve right-to-know complaints.

 

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

 

126:1  New Section; Commission to Study Processes to Resolve Right-to-Know Complaints.  Amend RSA 91-A by inserting after section 8 the following new section:

91-A:8-a  Commission to Study Processes to Resolve Right-to-Know Complaints.

I.  There is established a commission to study processes to resolve right-to-know complaints.

(a)  The members of the commission shall be as follows:

(1)  Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(2)  One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

(3)  The attorney general, or designee.

(4)  One municipal official, appointed by the New Hampshire Municipal Association.

(5)  One school board member, appointed by the New Hampshire School Boards Association.

(6)  One county official, appointed by the New Hampshire Association of Counties.

(7)  One member who shall have brought suit pro se under RSA 91-A:7, appointed by the governor.

(8)  One member representing the New Hampshire Press Association, appointed by that association.

(9)  One member representing Right To Know New Hampshire, appointed by that organization.

(10)  One member of the New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union, appointed by that organization.

(11)  One citizen member, appointed by the governor.

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

II.(a)  The commission shall study alternative processes to resolve right-to-know complaints consistent with the following:

(1)  Encouraging resolution of right-to-know complaints directly between citizens and public agencies and bodies.

(2)  Reducing the burden and costs of right-to-know complaints on the courts.

(3)  Reducing the burden and costs of right-to-know complaints on public agencies and bodies.

(4)  Reducing the burden and costs of right-to-know complaints on citizens aggrieved by violations of RSA 91-A.

(5)  Increasing awareness and compliance with the right-to-know law to minimize violations.

(b)  The commission may solicit information from any person or entity the commission deems relevant to its study.

III.  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 30 days of the effective date of this section.  Seven members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

IV.  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, 2017.

126:2  Repeal.  RSA 91-A:8-a, establishing a commission to study processes to resolve right-to-know complaints, is repealed.

126:3  Effective Date.  

I.  Section 2 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2017.

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

 

Approved: June 16, 2017

Effective Date:

I. Section 2 effective November 1, 2017

II. Remainder effective June 16, 2017

 

Links


Date Body Type
Jan. 11, 2017 House Hearing
Jan. 17, 2017 House Exec Session
Jan. 26, 2017 House Floor Vote
March 28, 2017 Senate Hearing
April 20, 2017 Senate Floor Vote

Bill Text Revisions

HB178 Revision: 357 Date: June 19, 2017, 1:17 p.m.
HB178 Revision: 358 Date: May 3, 2017, 4:04 p.m.
HB178 Revision: 359 Date: Jan. 30, 2017, 12:32 p.m.
HB178 Revision: 360 Date: Jan. 30, 2017, 12:32 p.m.

Docket


June 16, 2017: Signed by Governor Sununu 06/16/2017; Chapter 126; I. Sec. 2 eff. 11/1/2017 ; II. Rem. eff. 6/16/2017


May 4, 2017: Enrolled 05/04/2017 HJ 15 P. 48


May 11, 2017: Enrolled (In recess 05/11/2017); SJ 17


April 20, 2017: Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2017-1586e: AA VV 04/20/2017 HJ 14 P. 25


April 27, 2017: Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2017-1586e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 04/27/2017); SJ 16


April 20, 2017: Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/20/2017; SJ 14


April 20, 2017: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/20/2017; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 19


March 28, 2017: Hearing: 03/28/2017, Room 100, SH, 09:30 am; SC 16


March 14, 2017: ==CANCELLED== Hearing: 03/14/2017, Room 100, SH, 10:15 am; SC 14


Feb. 16, 2017: Introduced 02/16/2017 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7


Jan. 26, 2017: Ought to Pass with Amendment 0049h: MA VV 01/26/2017 HJ 4 P. 4


Jan. 26, 2017: Amendment # 2017-0049h: AA VV 01/26/2017 HJ 4 P. 4


Jan. 26, 2017: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2017-0049h for 01/26/2017 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 8 P. 4


Jan. 17, 2017: Executive Session: 01/17/2017 01:00 PM LOB 208


Jan. 11, 2017: Public Hearing: 01/11/2017 10:45 AM LOB 208


Jan. 4, 2017: Introduced 01/04/2017 and referred to Judiciary HJ 2 P. 19