Bill Text - HB1486 (2020)

Establishing a committee to study information technology in the legislative process.


Revision: March 30, 2020, 10:04 a.m.

HB 1486 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

 

12Mar2020... 1080h

2020 SESSION

20-2649

10/08

 

HOUSE BILL 1486

 

AN ACT establishing a committee to study information technology in the legislative process.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Griffith, Hills. 18; Rep. Wilhelm, Hills. 42; Rep. Josephson, Graf. 11; Rep. Fox, Merr. 23; Rep. Stringham, Graf. 5; Rep. Muscatel, Graf. 12; Sen. Feltes, Dist 15

 

COMMITTEE: Legislative Administration

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill establishes a committee to study information technology in the legislative process.

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

12Mar2020... 1080h 20-2649

10/08

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty

 

AN ACT establishing a committee to study information technology in the legislative process.

 

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

 

1  Committee Established.  There is established a committee to study information technology in the legislative process.

2  Membership and Compensation.

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

(a)  Three members of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be from the minority party, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b)  Two 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.  

I.  The committee shall study information technology in the legislative process and shall:

(a)  Review the current use of information technology in the legislative process including, but not limited to, public hearings, session days, committee and subcommittee meetings, and communications.

(b)  Develop a training needs assessment for legislators and staff to effectively utilize the currently available Microsoft Office or other similar commercial software applications for legislative work.

(c)  Examine the potential for use of telecommunications for committee and subcommittee meetings.

(d)  Review the rules of the house of representatives to identify what uses of information technology are currently permitted for session days, public hearings, committee and subcommittee work, and communications.

(e)  Hear testimony from stakeholders including, but not limited to, the department of information technology and the house and senate clerks.

II.  The committee shall also study the expansion of public testimony opportunities to remote locations statewide and shall:

(a)  Review laws and programs enacted in other states, counties, or municipalities authorizing remote testimony to legislative committees.

(b)  Make recommendations regarding the technologies, formats, policies, and procedures used for remote testimony.

(c)  Determine the administrative costs anticipated to establish and sustain remote testimony procedures.

(d)  Make recommendations regarding administrative oversight of remote testimony programs.

(e)  Study any other issue that the committee determines is relevant to its objective.

III.  The committee shall solicit information from any individual or entity the committee deems relevant to its study, including but not limited to:

(a)  The New Hampshire department of information technology.

(b)  The clerk of the New Hampshire house of representatives.

(c)  The clerk of the New Hampshire senate.

(d)  The attorney general.

(e)  The community college system of New Hampshire.

(f)  The New Hampshire Disability Rights Center.

(g)  Community Support Network, Inc.

(h)  New Futures.

(i)  The New Hampshire association of regional planning commissions.

(j)  The New Hampshire Council on Development Disabilities.

(k)  The University of New Hampshire’s Carsey School of Public Policy.

4  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.  Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

5  Report.  The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation and rule changes 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, 2020.

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