Bill Text - SB132 (2018)

(New Title) relative to historic burial grounds and cemeteries.


Revision: March 30, 2017, 12:50 p.m.

SB 132 - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

 

02/09/2017   0239s

2017 SESSION

17-0306

05/01

 

SENATE BILL 132

 

AN ACT establishing a New Hampshire inventory of historic burial grounds and cemeteries.

 

SPONSORS: Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Rep. Porter, Hills. 1; Rep. Wall, Straf. 6; Rep. Welch, Rock. 13

 

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

 

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 

This bill directs the division of historical resources, department of cultural resources to establish and administer a New Hampshire inventory of historic burial grounds and cemeteries.

 

The bill is a request of the commission on historic burial grounds and cemeteries, established in RSA 227-C:12-a.

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

02/09/2017   0239s 17-0306

05/01

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen

 

AN ACT establishing a New Hampshire inventory of historic burial grounds and cemeteries.

 

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

 

 

1  New Subdivision; New Hampshire Inventory of Historic Burial Grounds and Cemeteries.  Amend RSA 227-C by inserting after section 33 the following new subdivision:

New Hampshire Inventory of Historic Burial Grounds and Cemeteries

227-C:34  New Hampshire Inventory of Historic Burial Grounds and Cemeteries.

I.  In order to recognize, honor, promote, and preserve the state’s historical and cultural heritage, and to assist those engaged in genealogical research, the division of historical resources, department of cultural resources, shall maintain and administer the New Hampshire inventory of historic burial grounds and cemeteries.  Such historic burial grounds and cemeteries, including their markers, walls, gates, and other associated and identifying features and artifacts that are meaningful to the history, historic landscape, cultural, religious, craft and architectural traditions of the state, are, for the purposes of this inventory, those located in the state of New Hampshire and established prior to January 1, 1950, and consistent with the definitions of historic burial grounds and cemeteries established in RSA 289:1.

II.  Properties may be proposed for listing in the inventory by submission of a nomination to the division of historical resources.  The division shall forward correct and sufficient nominations of properties that meet the criteria in paragraph I to the state historical resources council for final approval and listing.  The division of historic resources shall create an application form proposing a site for listing and shall establish the procedures for approving the listing.  Individuals or organizations may submit a nomination in accordance with RSA 289:14.  The listing of a private burying ground shall be done in accordance with RSA 289:14.  Except as provided in RSA 289:14, the listing of a property shall not affect or infringe upon the rights of property owners and owners of contiguous or surrounding properties.

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

 

LBAO

17-0306

Amended 2/21/17

 

SB 132- FISCAL NOTE

AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT #2017-0239s)

 

AN ACT (New Title) establishing a New Hampshire inventory of historic burial grounds and cemeteries.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:      [ X ] State              [    ] County               [    ] Local              [    ] None

 

 

 

Estimated Increase / (Decrease)

STATE:

FY 2018

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

   Appropriation

$0

$0

$0

$0

   Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

   Expenditures

$36,000

$33,000

$34,000

$35,000

Funding Source:

  [ X ] General            [    ] Education            [    ] Highway           [    ] Other

 

METHODOLOGY:

This bill as amended directs the Division of Historical Resources, Department of Cultural Resources, to survey and inventory the State’s approximately 10,000 historic burial grounds and cemeteries.  The Division is also responsible for forwarding correct and sufficient nomination of properties to the State Historical Resources Council for final approval and listing.  The Division shall create an application form for listing and shall establish the procedures for approval of the listing.  

 

The Division states that it will require the addition of a part-time Historian, Labor Grade 24. With salary and benefits (Medicare and Social Security), plus additional costs for computer hardware, phones, travel, database management and Geographic Information System storage, software and licensing.   

 

 

FY 2018

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

Historian Labor Grade 24, Step 1

(20 hours)

 

 

 

 

Salary/Benefit Cost

$27,172

$27,308

$28,381

$28,691

Total Other Expenses

$7,850

$5,350

$5,350

$5,350

Total Cost for Position

$35,022

$32,658

$33,731

$34,041

 

The Division states it will assess and verify currently available records; create digital and paper record-keeping systems; and establish an application process, approval procedures and other program materials.  The Division will work with community groups, property owners and historical societies and provide training and technical assistance to locate and inventory burial grounds and cemeteries and verify applications are accurate and complete.  The Division will forward completed applications to the State Historic Resources Council for final approval on a quarterly basis.  The Division will maintain and administer the inventory, including online information and publicly available records, in a manner that protects the sensitive nature of the information, and will provide guidance to property owners and others on the care and stewardship of these resources.

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Cultural Resources