Text to be removed highlighted in red.
1 New Subdivision; First-in-the-Nation Security Task Force. Amend RSA 21-P by inserting after section 71 the following new subdivision:
First-in-the-Nation Security Task Force
21-P:72 First-in-the-Nation Security Task Force.
I. There is established a task force to coordinate planning for presidential campaign events.
II. The members of the task force shall be as follows:
(a) The commissioner of safety, or designee, who shall chair;
(b) The attorney general, or designee;
(c) The director of homeland security and emergency management, or designee;
(d) The director of the state police, or designee;
(e) One representative of the university system of New Hampshire appointed by the chancellor;
(f) One representative of the community college system of New Hampshire appointed by the chancellor;
(g) One representative of independent (private) New Hampshire colleges appointed by the New Hampshire College & University Council;
(h) One representative of the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police;
(i) One sheriff appointed by the New Hampshire Sheriffs' Association;
(j) One representative appointed by the New Hampshire republican state committee;
(k) One representative appointed by the New Hampshire democratic state committee; and
(l) Up to 2 additional members appointed by the governor with expertise in campus free speech and civil liberties.
III. The department of safety shall provide administrative support.
IV. The task force shall:
(a) Develop content-neutral, statewide guidance for presidential campaign event security planning and protest management that protects free speech and public safety;
(b) Establish coordination protocols among law enforcement agencies, municipal departments, county sheriffs, and state police for high-profile candidate visits and debates;
(c) Identify training, communications, and resource needs, including interoperable communications and de-escalation best practices;
(d) Conduct outreach to recognized student organizations and institutions regarding rights and responsibilities on campuses; and
(e) Produce a comprehensive recommended first-in-the-nation (FITN) security plan for the 2028 cycle.
V. The task force shall meet at the call of the chair and at least quarterly through June 30, 2028. A majority of appointed members constitutes a quorum. Members shall serve without compensation but may receive mileage at the state rate.
VI.(a) The task force shall report its initial guidance under paragraph IV 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, 2026.
(b) A draft FITN security plan shall be delivered 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 no later than September 1, 2027.
(c) An after-action report evaluating the plan's implementation shall be delivered 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 no later than June 30, 2028, with recommendations for future cycles.
2 Prospective Repeal. RSA 21-P:72, and the subdivision heading preceding it, relative to the first-in-the-nation security task force, is repealed.
3 Effective Date.
I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect June 30, 2029.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 New Subdivision; First-in-the-Nation Security Task Force. Amend RSA 21-P by inserting after section 71 the following new subdivision:
First-in-the-Nation Security Task Force
21-P:72 First-in-the-Nation Security Task Force.
I. There is established a task force to coordinate planning for presidential campaign events.
II. The members of the task force shall be as follows:
(a) The commissioner of safety, or designee, who shall chair;
(b) The attorney general, or designee;
(c) The director of homeland security and emergency management, or designee;
(d) The director of the state police, or designee;
(e) One representative of the university system of New Hampshire appointed by the chancellor;
(f) One representative of the community college system of New Hampshire appointed by the chancellor;
(g) One representative of independent (private) New Hampshire colleges appointed by the New Hampshire College & University Council;
(h) One representative of the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police;
(i) One sheriff appointed by the New Hampshire Sheriffs' Association;
(j) One representative appointed by the New Hampshire republican state committee;
(k) One representative appointed by the New Hampshire democratic state committee; and
(l) Up to 2 additional members appointed by the governor with expertise in campus free speech and civil liberties.
III. The department of safety shall provide administrative support.
IV. The task force shall:
(a) Develop content-neutral, statewide guidance for presidential campaign event security planning and protest management that protects free speech and public safety;
(b) Establish coordination protocols among law enforcement agencies, municipal departments, county sheriffs, and state police for high-profile candidate visits and debates;
(c) Identify training, communications, and resource needs, including interoperable communications and de-escalation best practices;
(d) Conduct outreach to recognized student organizations and institutions regarding rights and responsibilities on campuses; and
(e) Produce a comprehensive recommended first-in-the-nation (FITN) security plan for the 2028 cycle.
V. The task force shall meet at the call of the chair and at least quarterly through June 30, 2028. A majority of appointed members constitutes a quorum. Members shall serve without compensation but may receive mileage at the state rate.
VI.(a) The task force shall report its initial guidance under paragraph IV 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, 2026.
(b) A draft FITN security plan shall be delivered 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 no later than September 1, 2027.
(c) An after-action report evaluating the plan's implementation shall be delivered 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 no later than June 30, 2028, with recommendations for future cycles.
2 Prospective Repeal. RSA 21-P:72, and the subdivision heading preceding it, relative to the first-in-the-nation security task force, is repealed.
3 Effective Date.
I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect June 30, 2029.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.