SB 521 - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
03/11/2020 1105s
2020 SESSION
20-2964
10/08
SENATE BILL 521
AN ACT establishing a committee to study and make recommendations for changes to RSA 14-B and RSA 14-C and the ethics guidelines governing conflicts of interest by members of the general court.
SPONSORS: Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Sen. Ward, Dist 8; Sen. French, Dist 7; Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 21; Sen. Giuda, Dist 2; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Starr, Dist 1; Sen. Morse, Dist 22; Sen. Carson, Dist 14
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a committee to study and make recommendations for changes to RSA 14-B and RSA 14-C and the ethics guidelines governing conflicts of interest by members of the general court.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/11/2020 1105s 20-2964
10/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty
AN ACT establishing a committee to study and make recommendations for changes to RSA 14-B and RSA 14-C and the ethics guidelines governing conflicts of interest by members of the general court.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Findings; Purpose. The general court hereby finds:
I. That part II, article 7 of the New Hampshire constitution states: "No member of the general court shall take fees, be of counsel, or act as advocate, in any cause before either branch of the Legislature; and upon due proof thereof, such member shall forfeit his seat in the Legislature."
II. That the general court has adopted principles of public service including the principle requiring "independent, objective judgment in performing a legislator's duties and deciding all matters on the merits free from conflicts of interest and both real and apparent improper influences."
III. That the New Hampshire general court, consistent with RSA 14-B:3, has adopted guidelines prohibiting legislators from engaging in certain activities.
IV. That in order to comply with New Hampshire's constitutional requirements, to satisfy statutory requirements, and to maintain the confidence of the New Hampshire citizenry, the general court should review current conflict of interest provisions and make recommendations for changes, including whether recusal from participation in legislative matters when there is a conflict of interest is sometimes required.
2 Committee Established. There is hereby established a committee to study and make recommendations for changes to the laws and ethics guidelines governing conflicts of interest by members of the general court.
3 Membership and Compensation.
I. The membership of the committee shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the senate, each of whom is a current member of the legislative ethics committee, and 2 additional members of the senate who shall not be of the same political party, appointed by the president of the senate.
(b) Two members of the house of representatives, each of whom is a current member of the legislative ethics committee, and 2 additional members of the house of representatives who shall not be of the same political party, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
II. The members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.
4 Duties. The committee shall have the following duties:
I. The committee shall study the current laws for legislative ethics under RSA 14-B and RSA 14-C, and the Ethics Guidelines, as they relate to conflicts of interest and financial disclosure by legislators.
II. Review the conflict of interest laws governing legislatures in other states.
III. Make recommendations for changes to the laws, rules, guidelines, and procedures as they relate to conflicts of interest.
5 Administrative Support. The executive administrator of the legislative ethics committee, the senate legal counsel, and the house legal counsel shall provide administrative support to the committee.
I. The members of the committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named senate member. Five members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
II. The committee shall submit a final report of 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, 2020. The committee may issue an interim report.
7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 19, 2020 | Senate | Hearing |
| March 12, 2020 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| March 11, 2020 | Senate | Floor Vote |
: Died on Table
June 30, 2020: Introduced and Laid on Table MA VV 06/30/2020 HJ 10 P. 5
March 11, 2020: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2020-1105s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/11/2020; SJ 6
March 11, 2020: Committee Amendment # 2020-1105s, AA, VV; 03/11/2020; SJ 6
March 12, 2020: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2020-1105s, 03/12/2020; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 10
March 11, 2020: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2020-1105s, 03/11/2020; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 10
Feb. 19, 2020: Hearing: 02/19/2020, Room 101, LOB, 09:00 am; SC 6
Jan. 8, 2020: To Be Introduced 01/08/2020 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 1