Revision: Nov. 21, 2025, 2:46 p.m.
SB 424-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2230
09/05
SENATE BILL 424-FN
AN ACT relative to the organization of the department of business and economic affairs.
SPONSORS: Sen. McGough, Dist 11; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Rep. Wall, Straf. 11
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
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ANALYSIS
This bill repeals the position of the northern county area industrial agent within the department of business and economic affairs, and instead authorizes the commissioner of the department to reallocate those responsibilities to other departmental directors and employees, except to ensure that all areas of the state are served equally.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2230
09/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to the organization of the department of business and economic affairs.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Commissioner of Business and Economic Affairs. Amend RSA 12-O:5 to read as follows:
12-O:5 Commissioner of Business and Economic Affairs. There shall be a commissioner of business and economic affairs who shall be appointed by the governor and council for a term of 4 years from the date of appointment. It shall be the responsibility of the commissioner to organize and direct the work of the department. The commissioner shall appoint one member of his or her staff who shall act in the commissioner's stead when said commissioner is absent from the state and at such other times as directed by the commissioner. When acting for the commissioner said person shall have all the power, duties, and authority of the commissioner. Directors of departmental divisions shall be subject to the supervisory authority of the commissioner, which authority shall include power to establish department and divisional policy as well as to control the actual operations of the department and all divisions therein. As part of that authority, the commissioner shall have the power to assign directors of the departmental divisions or any other employees thereof to focus on the economic development of specific areas of the state including, but not limited to, assisting the political subdivisions of the state, regional development organizations or groups, and individuals in specific areas of the state to maintain and expand existing industries and to encourage, assist, and aid new industries to establish operations in those areas of the state. In exercising that authority, the commissioner shall ensure that all areas of the state are served equally, according to their respective economic needs at any given time. The commissioner is authorized to establish any advisory commissions and programs which the commissioner may deem necessary to carry out the mission and operations of the department.
2 Repeal. RSA 12-O:23, relative to the northern county area industrial agent, is repealed.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
26-2230
11/6/25
SB 424-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to the organization of the department of business and economic affairs.
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | ($111,313) | ($111,313) | ($111,313) | ||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill repeals RSA 12-O:23, relative to the northern county area industrial agent within the Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA), and authorizes the commissioner to assign existing division directors or employees to focus on economic development in specific regions of the state.
The Department of Business and Economic Affairs states repealing RSA 12-O:23 would eliminate the position of northern county area industrial agent, returning the budgeted general funds of approximately $111,313 annually, beginning in FY 2027. The Department would absorb the associated responsibilities of that position by redistributing duties among existing staff and resources.
It is assumed the fiscal impact will begin in FY 2027, with future-year savings reflected in the Department’s budget for FY 2028–FY 2029.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Business and Economic Affairs