Bill Text - HB80 (2025)

Allowing a public body member's presence at a meeting by electronic or other means of communication only if physical presence is unavoidable and providing that physical presence is necessary for voting.


Revision: Dec. 23, 2024, 2:48 p.m.

HB 80  - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2025 SESSION

25-0103

11/02

 

HOUSE BILL 80

 

AN ACT allowing a public body member's presence at a meeting by electronic or other means of communication only if physical presence is unavoidable and providing that physical presence is necessary for voting.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. L. Turcotte, Straf. 4; Rep. Ankarberg, Straf. 7; Rep. Burnham, Straf. 2; Rep. Potenza, Straf. 19; Rep. Granger, Straf. 2; Rep. Bailey, Straf. 2

 

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill requires a public body's member to be physically present at a meeting unless physical presence is unavoidable and provides that physical presence is required for voting.

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

25-0103

11/02

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five

 

AN ACT allowing a public body member's presence at a meeting by electronic or other means of communication only if physical presence is unavoidable and providing that physical presence is necessary for voting.

 

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

 

1  Attendance For Participation In Meeting.  Amend RSA 91-A:2, III(a) to read as follows:

(a) A member of the public body may participate in a meeting other than by attendance in person at the location of the meeting only when such attendance is [not reasonably practical] unavoidable. Any reason that such attendance is [not reasonably practical] unavoidable shall be stated in the minutes of the meeting.

2  Physical Attendance Required For Voting.  Amend RSA 91-A:2, III(e) to read as follows:

(e) A member participating in a meeting by the means described in this paragraph is deemed to be present at the meeting except for purposes of voting. All votes taken during such a meeting shall be by roll call vote.

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