SB 522 - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2078
06/05
SENATE BILL 522
SPONSORS: Sen. Rochefort, Dist 1; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Ricciardi, Dist 9; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
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ANALYSIS
This bill re-establishes the commission to study the economic impact of the arts and culture in New Hampshire.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2078
06/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Subdivision; Commission to Study the Economic Impact of the Arts and Culture in New Hampshire. Amend RSA 19-A by inserting after section 13 the following new subdivision:
Commission to Study the Economic Impact of the Arts and Culture in New Hampshire
19-A:14 Commission Established.
I. There is established a commission to study the economic impact of the arts and culture in New Hampshire.
II. The commission shall consist of the following members:
(a) Three members of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be a member of the commerce and consumer affairs committee and one of whom shall be a member of the finance committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(c) One member of the state council on the arts, appointed by the council.
(d) The commissioner of the department of business and economic affairs, or designee.
(e) One member each from the division of the arts, the division of libraries, the division of historical resources, and the New Hampshire film and television commission, appointed by the commissioner of the department of cultural resources.
(f) One member from the board of directors of Arts4NH, appointed by the president of the organization.
(g) One member from the board of directors of the New Hampshire Theatre Alliance, appointed by that organization.
(h) One member from the board of trustees of the League of New Hampshire craftsmen, appointed by the president of the board of trustees of the organization.
(i) One member from the board of trustees of the White Mountains Attractions Association, appointed by that organization.
(j) One representative of the performing arts, appointed by the governor.
(k) One representative of New Hampshire art museums, appointed by the governor.
(l) One representative of New Hampshire history museums, 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 study the economic impact of the arts and culture in New Hampshire and recommend ways in which the state can enhance and expand this sector of the New Hampshire economy. In the performance of its duties, the commission may solicit information and testimony from local artists and any group or organization, and other states with information relevant to the study.
V. The members of the 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 within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Nine 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 November 1, 2026.
2 Prospective Repeal. RSA 19-A:14, relative to the commission to study the economic impact of the arts and culture in New Hampshire, is repealed.
I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2026.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 14, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| Jan. 14, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
Jan. 8, 2026: Hearing: 01/14/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 1
Jan. 6, 2026: Hearing: 01/14/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 1
Nov. 21, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 1