HB1685 (2026) Compare Changes

The Bill Text indicates a repeal. This means the text being replaced is not available in the bill, and the unchanged text displayed is incomplete. The original text can be viewed by following the link to the RSA. Also, an accompanying re-enactment is not handled currently, and displayed in both unchanged and changed versions.
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Unchanged Version

Text to be removed highlighted in red.

1 New Section; The State and Its Government; Department of Information Technology; Technology-First Commission. Amend RSA 21-R by inserting after section 9-a the following new section:

21-R:9-b Technology-First Commission.

I. There is established a commission to study making New Hampshire a technology-first state.

II. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, II, the members of the commission shall be as follows:

(a) Three users of assistive technology, appointed by the governor;

(b) Two parents of users of assistive technology with no relationship to the members under subparagraph (a), appointed by the governor;

(c) One representative from the department of education, appointed by the commissioner of the department of education;

(d) One representative from the bureau of vocational rehabilitation, appointed by the commissioner of the bureau of vocational rehabilitation;

(e) One representative from the bureau of developmental services, appointed by the commissioner of the department of health and human services;

(f) One representative from assistive technology New Hampshire, appointed by the program director of assistive technology New Hampshire;

(g) One representative from the institute on disability at the university of New Hampshire, who shall have no affiliation with assistive technology New Hampshire, appointed by the research director of the institute on disability at the university of New Hampshire;

(h) One representative from the New Hampshire council of developmental disabilities, appointed by the executive director of the New Hampshire council of developmental disabilities;

(i) One representative from the state's medicaid program, appointed by the commissioner of the department of the health and human services;

(j) One representative from the disability rights center of New Hampshire, appointed by the executive director of the disability rights center of New Hampshire;

(k) One representative from able New Hampshire, appointed by the executive director of able New Hampshire; and

(l) One representative from 3DA, appointed by the governor.

III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

IV. The commission shall:

(a) Study and address the implementation of making New Hampshire a technology-first state;

(b) Align necessary training models and strategies for making New Hampshire a technology-first state;

(c) Collect data and considerations from outside sources that pertain to making New Hampshire a technology-first state;

(d) Analyze emerging assistive technologies;

(e) Identify potential changes to assistive technologies;

(f) Analyze how to better serve individuals with assistive technology needs; and

(g) Conduct other activities as deemed necessary by the commission.

V. The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held on September 1, 2026. The commission shall meet every 90 days, and hold a final meeting on September 30, 2027. Eight members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

VI. The commission shall report 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 October 1, 2027.

2 Repeal. RSA 21-R:9-b, relative to the technology-first commission, is repealed.

3 Effective Date.

I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect October 1, 2027.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.

Changed Version

Text to be added highlighted in green.

1 New Section; The State and Its Government; Department of Information Technology; Technology-First Commission. Amend RSA 21-R by inserting after section 9-a the following new section:

21-R:9-b Technology-First Commission.

I. There is established a commission to study making New Hampshire a technology-first state.

II. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, II, the members of the commission shall be as follows:

(a) Three users of assistive technology, appointed by the governor;

(b) Two parents of users of assistive technology with no relationship to the members under subparagraph (a), appointed by the governor;

(c) One representative from the department of education, appointed by the commissioner of the department of education;

(d) One representative from the bureau of vocational rehabilitation, appointed by the commissioner of the bureau of vocational rehabilitation;

(e) One representative from the bureau of developmental services, appointed by the commissioner of the department of health and human services;

(f) One representative from assistive technology New Hampshire, appointed by the program director of assistive technology New Hampshire;

(g) One representative from the institute on disability at the university of New Hampshire, who shall have no affiliation with assistive technology New Hampshire, appointed by the research director of the institute on disability at the university of New Hampshire;

(h) One representative from the New Hampshire council of developmental disabilities, appointed by the executive director of the New Hampshire council of developmental disabilities;

(i) One representative from the state's medicaid program, appointed by the commissioner of the department of the health and human services;

(j) One representative from the disability rights center of New Hampshire, appointed by the executive director of the disability rights center of New Hampshire;

(k) One representative from able New Hampshire, appointed by the executive director of able New Hampshire; and

(l) One representative from 3DA, appointed by the governor.

III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

IV. The commission shall:

(a) Study and address the implementation of making New Hampshire a technology-first state;

(b) Align necessary training models and strategies for making New Hampshire a technology-first state;

(c) Collect data and considerations from outside sources that pertain to making New Hampshire a technology-first state;

(d) Analyze emerging assistive technologies;

(e) Identify potential changes to assistive technologies;

(f) Analyze how to better serve individuals with assistive technology needs; and

(g) Conduct other activities as deemed necessary by the commission.

V. The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held on September 1, 2026. The commission shall meet every 90 days, and hold a final meeting on September 30, 2027. Eight members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

VI. The commission shall report 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 October 1, 2027.

2 Repeal. RSA 21-R:9-b, relative to the technology-first commission, is repealed.

3 Effective Date.

I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect October 1, 2027.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.