Bill Text - HB219 (2017)

Establishing a demographic study committee.


Revision: Jan. 30, 2017, noon

HB 219 - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2017 SESSION

17-0272

05/04

 

HOUSE BILL 219

 

AN ACT establishing a demographic study committee.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Kurk, Hills. 2

 

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill establishes a demographic study committee.

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

17-0272

05/04

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen

 

AN ACT establishing a demographic study committee.

 

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

 

1  Committee Established.  There is established a demographic study committee, the purpose of which shall be to recommend administrative and legislative action regarding New Hampshire's demographic future and the relationship between that future and public sector policies and operations.

2  Membership and Compensation.

I.  The members of the committee shall be as follows:

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

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

II.  Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

3  Duties.  The committee shall recommend administrative and legislative action in the following areas:

I.  To better inform the state about its demographic future and the relationship between that future and public sector polices and operations:

(a)  Identify specific, long-term net migration goals, quantifying both total net migration and the age and educational level composition of net migration.

(b)  Consider establishing a senior demographer position or consulting relationship in the office of energy and planning to improve the flow of demographic information to policy makers, including preparation of biennial reports on New Hampshire's demographic profile and future trajectory and periodic reports on the demographic implications and effects of state government actions.

II.  To ensure that long term demographic considerations are a systematic part of the development of policy, budgets, and programs:

(a)  Develop a current services budget process that projects the state budget forward for a decade on the basis of current policy, programs, tax rates, and service levels, adjusting only for demographically-induced changes in demand for public services and projected effects on state government revenue.

(b)  Include, as part of the biennial budget process, information about the expected demographic effects of proposed and approved budgets and the impact of demographic factors on budgets, such as school enrollments and demands for senior services.

III.  To better manage the current diffuse authority over and/or oversight of policies and programs with significant demographic effects:

(a)  Create a standing joint committee on demography to oversee the demographic implications of proposed and enacted legislation and to monitor operating performance against the state's net migration targets.

(b)  Fund a thorough review of the fiscal effects of demographic trends in New Hampshire.

4  Advice and Testimony.  The committee may solicit advice and testimony from any individual or organization with information or expertise relevant to the purpose of the committee's study.

5  Chairperson; Quorum.  The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members.  The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member.  The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.  Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

6  Report.  The committee 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.

7  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.