Revision: March 20, 2025, 3:25 p.m.
SB 301 - AS INTRODUCED
03/27/2025 1147s
2025 SESSION
25-1169
08/02
SENATE BILL 301
AN ACT creating a joint legislative oversight committee.
SPONSORS: Sen. McGough, Dist 11; Sen. McConkey, Dist 3; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. Sullivan, Dist 18; Sen. Rochefort, Dist 1; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Rep. Sweeney, Rock. 25
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
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ANALYSIS
This bill creates a joint legislative oversight committee.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/27/2025 1147s 25-1169 08/02
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACT creating a joint legislative oversight committee.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Chapter; Joint Legislative Oversight Committee. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 17-S the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 17-T
JOINT LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
17-T:1 Committee Established. There is hereby established a committee to be known as the joint standing oversight committee. The committee shall consist of 2 members designated by the governor, 6 members of the senate appointed by the president in consultation with the minority leader, with no more than 3 members of any one party, and 6 members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker in consultation with the minority leader, with no more than 3 members of any one party. The president of the senate and the speaker of the house may, at any time, appoint alternate senate and house members to replace regular members who are unable to appear at a committee meeting. The legislative members shall serve for the balance of their elected terms and the representatives of the governor shall serve for the balance of the term of the governor. The committee shall choose a chair, vice-chair and clerk from among its members. The members shall receive no compensation for their services, but the legislative members shall receive legislative mileage while on official business. Each member shall be reimbursed for his expenses incurred on official business.
17-T:2 Powers and Duties.
The committee shall conduct independent audits and investigations into the operations of state agencies. The committee may issue subpoenas, compel document production, and require agency officials to testify, ensuring comprehensive access to the information necessary for effective oversight. The committee shall conduct regular reviews, hold public hearings, and when necessary, engage experts to support specialized investigations. The president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives shall refer such matters as they see fit to the committee for investigation or hearing.
17-T:3 Reports. An oversight report shall be submitted at intervals determined by the committee, but no less than once a biennium on or before December 1 in each even numbered year. The committee shall deliver the report to the governor and council and the presiding officer of each house. The report shall be a public document available to the public.