Bill Text - HB1441 (2018)

Establishing the office of the ombudsman in the department of state.


Revision: Feb. 26, 2018, 9:46 a.m.

HB 1441-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

 

22Feb2018... 0069h

2018 SESSION

18-2124

05/01

 

HOUSE BILL 1441-FN

 

AN ACT establishing the office of the ombudsman in the department of state.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Itse, Rock. 10; Rep. Hoell, Merr. 23; Sen. Reagan, Dist 17; Sen. Giuda, Dist 2

 

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill establishes an office of the ombudsman in the department of state.

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

22Feb2018... 0069h 18-2124

05/01

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eighteen

 

AN ACT establishing the office of the ombudsman in the department of state.

 

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

 

1  New Subdivision; Department of State; Office of the Ombudsman.  Amend RSA 5 by inserting after section 51 the following new subdivision:

Office of the Ombudsman

5:52  Office of the Ombudsman Established.

I.  There is hereby established in the department of state an independent office of the ombudsman.  The secretary of state shall nominate an ombudsman for approval by the house of representatives and the senate convened in joint session.  Before a vote of the general court, the nominee shall receive unanimous support from the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the minority leader of each chamber.  The ombudsman shall serve a term of 2 years.  Any vacancy in the position shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the unexpired term.

II.  The ombudsman shall:

(a)  Receive and investigate criminal complaints from the public or the New Hampshire general court against officers, employees, and contractors of the government of the state of New Hampshire and its political subdivisions and refer the results of investigations to the attorney general or, at the direction of the attorney general, to the appropriate county attorney.

(b)  Execute investigations requested by the house of representatives in support of bills of address and impeachment.

(c)  Request the house of representatives to subpoena such documents as may be necessary to conduct investigations.

III.  The ombudsman shall be available at the state house, at least 2 days a week to receive complaints.

IV.  The ombudsman shall receive an honorarium at the same rate as the members of the legislature and shall receive mileage compensation at the federal rate for travel to the state house and for investigations.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

 

LBAO

18-2124

Amended 2/23/18

 

HB 1441-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2018-0069h)

 

AN ACT establishing the office of the ombudsman in the department of state.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Legislative Budget Assistant has determined that this legislation, as introduced, has a total fiscal impact of less than $10,000 in each of the fiscal years 2019 through 2022.

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of State