Revision: June 8, 2023, 1:44 p.m.
CHAPTER 73
SB 146 - FINAL VERSION
02/22/2023 0570s
2023 SESSION
23-0813
08/10
SENATE BILL 146
AN ACT relative to the agricultural advisory board.
SPONSORS: Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Soucy, Dist 18; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Rep. Moffett, Merr. 4; Rep. Aron, Sull. 4; Rep. Bixby, Straf. 13
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill removes certain requirements for the terms of members of the agricultural advisory board.
This bill also requires public notice of a meeting of the agricultural advisory board and requires the commissioner of the department of agriculture, markets, and food to leave the room if requested to do so by a member of the board.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
02/22/2023 0570s 23-0813
08/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three
AN ACT relative to the agricultural advisory board.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
73:1 Advisory Board; Initial Term Instructions. Amend RSA 425:22, II to read as follows:
II. The term of office of members of the board shall be 5 years and until their successors are appointed and qualified. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term only.[ However, beginning July 1, 2001, the terms of 2 members representing agriculture as provided in subparagraph I(a) and one member representing the industry interests as provided in subparagraphs I(b)-(f) shall expire each year. Initial terms for members representing agriculture shall expire in the year as follows: Belknap and Sullivan counties, 2002; Carroll and Strafford counties, 2003; Cheshire and Rockingham counties, 2004; Coos and Merrimack counties, 2005; and Grafton and Hillsborough counties, 2006. Initial terms for members representing industry interests shall expire in the year as follows: petroleum, 2002; food retailing, 2003; advertising, 2004; food distribution, 2005; and consumer, 2006. No board member shall be eligible for successive reappointment after 2004.] Appointments to the board shall be made by the governor with the advice and consent of the council on the basis of extensive experience and demonstrated ability and on a nonpartisan basis.
73:2 New Paragraph; Agricultural Advisory Board. Amend RSA 425:22 by inserting after paragraph V the following new paragraph:
VI. A majority of the seated membership plus one shall constitute a quorum of the board.
73:3 Advisory Board; Duties. Amend RSA 425:23 to read as follows:
425:23 Advisory Board; Duties. The board shall consult with and advise the commissioner of agriculture, markets, and food with respect to the laws, policies, programs, and operations of the department on a continuing basis and for such purposes shall meet with the commissioner not less than semi-annually at the call of the chairperson or 3 board members. [The board shall designate and advertise at least one] Each meeting shall be advertised with a portion designated for public input [annually as a public hearing] at which interested persons may appear and be heard regarding matters affecting agriculture, markets, and food and related laws. [The board shall review and make biennial recommendations relative to administrative, legal, and regulatory factors affecting the viability of the agricultural economy. The board shall promote close coordination of the activities of the department with activities of the United States Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies; the University of New Hampshire, including cooperative extension work; other state agencies; and farm organizations of the state.] Any member of the board or public may request that the commissioner be excused for any portion of public input at which time the commissioner shall leave the meeting. Upon expiration of the term of office of the commissioner of agriculture, markets, and food, or upon the occurrence of a vacancy in such office, it shall be the duty of the board to submit advisory recommendations to the governor and council concerning such new appointment or the filling of such vacancy.
73:4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved: June 07, 2023
Effective Date: June 07, 2023