October 4, 2000

No. 51

 

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legislative

 

SENATE CALENDAR

MEETINGS & NOTICES

MEETINGS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2000

AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDING (HB 1199, Chapter 74, Laws of 2000) Room 205, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

COMMITTEE TO ADDRESS MECHANISMS FOR THE PRESERVATION OR DISPOSAL OF STATE RECORDS (HB 1404, Chapter 138, 2000) Room 307, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

RIGHT TO KNOW LAW CHANGING METHODOLOGY OF COMMUNICATIONS (HB 1435, Chapter 60, Laws of 2000) Room 301, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

SELF-INSURING STATE EMPLOYEES (HB 1282, Chapter 92, Laws of 2000) Room 212, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE PORT AUTHORITY (HB 1559,Chapter 153, Laws of 2000) Room 201, LOB

10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

KEROSENE, GASOLINE, DIESEL & HOME HEATING FUEL PRICES STUDY (HB 1318, Chapter 58, Laws of 2000) Room 304, LOB

11:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Candia 13310 NH Route 27/NH Route 43) Candia Town Office, 74 High Street, Candia, NH

7:00 p.m. Public Hearing Commission

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2000

JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE RULES Rooms 305-307, LOB

9:00 a.m. Special Meeting

OSTEOPOROSIS ADVISORY COUNCIL (RSA 126-I:3) Room 205, LOB

9:00-11:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2000

· PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELLED AND RESCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 16TH

COMMITTEE TO STUDY AND IDENTIFY THE DUTIES OF THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION (SB 356, Chapter 30:1, Laws of 2000) Room 102, LOB

Cancelled Regular Meeting

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2000

COMMITTEE TO STUDY PRESCRIPTION DRUG ACCESS (SB 367, Chapter 208:2, Laws of 2000) Room 205, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

LEGISLATOR ORIENTATION (RSA 17-C:2), Room 103, SH

11:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (HB 84, Chapter 334, Laws of 1999) Room 307, LOB

1:30 p.m. Regular Meeting

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Newfields 12466 NH 85 Bridge over the B&M Railroad and associated roadway approach word) Newfields Town Hall, 65 Main Street, Newfields, NH

7:00 p.m. Public Informational

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2000

FISCAL COMMITTEE OF GENERAL COURT Rooms 210-211, LOB

9:00 a.m. Regular Business

9:30 a.m. Audits: State of New Hampshire Department of Safety Revenues Collected by the Division of Motor Vehicles Financial and Compliance Audit Report For the Year Ended June 30, 1999

State of New Hampshire treasury Department Abandoned Property Division Financial and Compliance Audit Report For the Year Ended June 30, 1999

PRIORITY & FUNDING OF TRANSPORTATION 10 –YEAR PLAN PROJECTS (HB 2000, Chapter 45, Laws of 2000) Room 201, LOB

9:30 a.m. Regular Meeting

GAS UTILITY RESTRICTING OVERSIGHT (RSA 374:60) Room 304, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

INVOLUNTARY EMERGENCY ADMISSION HEARINGS UNDER RSA 135-C (HB 1139, Chapter 221, Laws of 2000) Room 303, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

NEW HAMPSHIRE TASK FORCE ON DEAFNESS AND HEARING LOSS (HB 1602, Chapter 234, Laws of 2000) Room 306, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

WELLNESS & PRIMARY PREVENTION COUNCIL (RSA 126-M:3) Room 205, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE UPGRADE OF ROUTES 11 AND 140 (HB 541, Chapter 145, Laws of 1999) Room 201, LOB

1:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

MENTAL HEALTH CARE TREATMENT UNDER MANAGED CARE (HB 1134, Chapter 39:1, Laws of 2000) Room 302, LOB

1:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

TOBACCO USE ADVISORY (RSA 126-K:19) Room 307, LOB

3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Warren-Wentworth 11847 replacement of the NH 25 bridge over the Baker River in the Town Warren) Wentworth Elementary, Route 25, Wentworth, NH

7:00 p.m. Public Informational

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2000

NON-CONVENTIONAL VETERINARY PROCEDURES FOR DOMESTIC ANIMALS (HB 1483, Chapter 139, Laws of 2000) Room 201, LOB

9:30 p.m. Regular Meeting

CONDOMINIUM ACT ASPECTS ESTABLISHED UNDER RSA 356-B (HB 1457, Chapter 186, Laws of 2000) Room 304, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

SELF-INSURING STATE EMPLOYEES (HB 1282, Chapter 92, Laws of 2000) Room 212, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

REDUCING NUMBER OF PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES OR BRAIN INJURIES NOT RECEIVING MEDICAID SERVICES (HB 1607, Chapter 205, Laws of 2000) Room 303, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

· PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING MEETING HAS A TIME CHANGE FROM 3:00 P.M. TO 2:00 P.M.

NEW HAMPSHIRE LAND AND COMMUNITY HERITAGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (RSA 227-M:4) Room 305, LOB

2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Salem-Manchester 10818-C Widening of I-93/1293/NH 101 split in Manchester) Fisk School, 14 Main Street, Salem , NH

6:00 p.m. Advisory Task Force

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2000

ADEQUATE EDUCATION AND EDUCATION FINANCING (RSA 198:49, I) Rooms 201-211, LOB

9:30 a.m. Regular Meeting

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2000

STATE AERONAUTICS LAWS REVISIONS (HB 1161, Chapter 105, Laws of 2000) Room 307, LOB

9:30 a.m. Regular Meeting

· PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING MEETING HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FROM OCTOBER 9TH.

COMMITTEE TO STUDY AND IDENTIFY THE DUTIES OF THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION (SB 356, Chapter 30:1, Laws of 2000) Room 102, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

NEW HAMPSHIRE LOCAL GOVERNMENT RECORDS MANAGEMENT TRUST (HB 1151, Chapter 103, Laws of 2000) Room 308, LOB

9:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

· PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELLED

PERINATAL ALCOHOL TOBACCO AND OTHER DRUG USE TASK FORCE (RSA 132:19) Room 101, LOB

Cancelled Regular Meeting

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2000

DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STUDY (HB 535, Chapter 92, Laws of 1999) Room 303, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

TELECOMMUNICATIONS OVERSIGHT (RSA 374:22-h) Room 304, LOB

10:00 Regular Meeting

SULLIVAN COUNTY REGIONAL REFUSE DISPOSAL DISTRICT (HB 379, Chapter 201, Laws of 1999) Room 301, LOB

10:30 a.m. Regular Meeting

STATUS OF MEN (HB 553, Chapter 272, Laws of 200) Room 304, LOB

1:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2000

LONG RANGE CAPITAL PLANNING AND UTILIZATION COMMITTEE Room 201, LOB

9:30 a.m. Regular Meeting

CONCORD TO LEBANON & LAWRENCE MA TO MANCHESTER PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE Room 304, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

CHARTER SCHOOL AND OPEN ENROLLMENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS (HB 690, Chapter 286, Laws of 2000) Room 302, LOB

10:00 a.m. Organizational Meeting

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES PROMOTIONAL METHODS (HB 1462, Chapter 61, Laws of 2000) Room 307, LOB

10:30 p.m. Regular Meeting

NEWBURYPORT MA TO KITTERY ME EASTERN RAIL LINE (HB 1378, Chapter 45, Laws of 2000) Room 304, LOB

11:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

STRUCTURE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION SERVICES (HB 650 Chapter 237, Laws of 1999) Room 201, LOB

1:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Milford, 12569 To add sidewalks to the west side of Union Street, beginning at the George Street Intersection and running southerly to the Osgood Road Intersection.) Milford Town Hall, 1 Union Square, Milford, NH

7:00 p.m. Public Officials/Informational

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2000

AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDING (HB 1199, Chapter 74, Laws of 2000) Room 205, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

SELF-INSURING STATE EMPLOYEES (HB 1282, Chapter 92, Laws of 2000) Room 212, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

CONDOMINIUM ACT ASPECTS ESTABLISHED UNDER RSA 356-B (HB 1457, Chapter 186, Laws of 2000) Room 304, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING A PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE INSURANCE PROGRAM AND POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES TO SUPPORT IT (HB 152`, Chapter 83, Laws of 2000) Room 306, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

REDUCING NUMBER OF PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES OR BRAIN INJURIES NOT RECEIVING MEDICAID SERVICES (HB 1607, Chapter 205, Laws of 2000) Room 303, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE PORT AUTHORITY (HB 1559,Chapter 153, Laws of 2000) Pease Development Authority, International Tradeport

1:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2000

JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE RULES Rooms 306-308, LOB

9:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2000

WORKERS' COMP ADVISORY (RSA 281- A:62) Room 304, LOB

9:30-11:00a.m. Regular Meeting

PUBLIC HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION (HB 1390, Chapter 114, Laws of 2000) Room 205, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

REDUCING VIOLENT INCIDENTS INVOLVING CHILDREN & GUNS (SB 163, Chapter 322, Laws of 1999) Room 307, LOB

1:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE STATE SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT DELIVERY SYSTEM (SB 19, Chapter 38, Laws of 1999) Room 102, LOB

1:30 p.m. Regular Meeting

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2000

COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE LICENSURE OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS (SB 341, Chapter 49, Laws of 2000) Room 102, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

STRUCTURE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION SERVICES (HB 650 Chapter 237, Laws of 1999) Room 201, LOB

1:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2000

COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING A PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE INSURANCE PROGRAM AND POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES TO SUPPORT IT (HB 152`, Chapter 83, Laws of 2000) Room 306, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

NEW HAMPSHIRE COUNCIL ON APPLIED TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION ESTABLISHED (RSA 12-h:1) Room 304, LOB

1:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

NEW HAMPSHIRE LAND AND COMMUNITY HERITAGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (RSA 227-M:4) Room 305, LOB

3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

NH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Milford-Nashua NH Rte. 101 A Study) NRPC's, Office 115 Main Street, Nashua, NH

5:00 p.m. 101A Steering Committee Meeting

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2000

STATE AERONAUTICS LAWS REVISIONS (HB 1161, Chapter 105, Laws of 2000) Room 307, LOB

9:30 a.m. Regular Meeting

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION COMMISSION (HB 532, Chapter 135, Laws of 1999) Room 205, LOB

11:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

MONDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2000

OIL FUND DISBURSEMENT (RSA 146-D:4) Room 305, LOB

9:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

COMMISSION TO STUDY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AND RECIPIENTS OF TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES (SB 313, Chapter 122, Laws of 2000) Room 102, LOB

2:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2000

NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE PORT AUTHORITY (HB 1559,Chapter 153, Laws of 2000) Room 201, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2000

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION COMMISSION (HB 532, Chapter 135, Laws of 1999) Room 205, LOB

9:30 a.m. Regular Meeting

STATUS OF MEN (HB 553, Chapter 272, Laws of 200) Room 304, LOB

1:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2000

OSTEOPOROSIS ADVISORY COUNCIL (RSA 126-I:3) Room 205, LOB

9:00-11:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2000

TOBACCO USE ADVISORY (RSA 126-K:19) Room 307, LOB

3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2000

NUCLEAR DECOMMISSIONING FINANCING COMMITTEE (RSA 162-F:15) Room 302-304, LOB

10:00 a.m. Purpose of the meeting is to discuss possible changes to RSA 162-F

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2000

PERINATAL ALCOHOL TOBACCO AND OTHER DRUG USE TASK FORCE (RSA 132:19) Room 101, LOB

9:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2000

WELLNESS & PRIMARY PREVENTION COUNCIL (RSA 126-M:3) Room 207, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

IMPACT OF WATER WITHDRAWALS ON INSTREAM FLOWS (SB 330, Chapter 242, Laws of 2000) Rooms 305-307, LOB

1:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2000

JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE RULES, Rooms 306-308, LOB

9:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2000

NEW HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE TUITION SAVINGS PLAN ADVISORY COMMISSION (RSA 195-H:2) Room 103, SH

9:00 a.m. Investment Subcommittee Meeting

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2000

PERINATAL ALCOHOL TOBACCO AND OTHER DRUG USE TASK FORCE (RSA 132:19) Room 101, LOB

9:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2000

WELLNESS & PRIMARY PREVENTION COUNCIL (RSA 126-M:3) Room 207, LOB

10:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2000

TOBACCO USE ADVISORY (RSA 126-K:19) Room 307, LOB

3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2000

JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE RULES Rooms 306-308, LOB

9:00 a.m. Regular Meeting

NOTICES

LEGISLATIVE ETHICS COMMITTEE

 

At its meeting on September 13, 2000, the Legislative Ethics Committee unanimously voted to adopt the following Advisory Opinion, which is printed below in its entirety.

 

Representative Jeb E. Bradley, Chairman

Senator Richard L. Russman, Vice Chairman

Senator John A. King

Representative Janet G. Wall

Mr. Shawn N. Jasper

Attorney Peter C. Scott

 

 

ADVISORY OPINION 2000 - #1

(September 13, 2000)

 

 

The Legislative Ethics Committee received a request for an interpretation as to the application of Section 4, VI (c) of the Ethics Guidelines as it applies to a legislator’s participation in discussions before a state agency regarding a matter which affects the legislator’s constituents generally and which could also affect the legislator’s personal financial interests. The Committee held a public hearing to receive input on July 31, 2000, and issues the following opinion.

 

The Ethics Guidelines prohibit a legislator from threatening a state agency or its employees with reprisals or promised inducements of any kind in an attempt to influence agency decisions so as to obtain special personal benefits for the legislator, the legislator’s immediate family, or certain constituents, which would not be available to others under similar circumstances (Section 4, II (c)). The Guidelines also prohibit a legislator from using his or her public position or office to obtain anything of value for the private benefit of the legislator or the legislator’s immediate family (Section 4, III).

 

These prohibited activities, however, must be read in conjunction with Section 4, VI (c) which states that a legislator is not prohibited from advocating for a particular outcome on matters pending before a state agency when the legislator believes such a decision would benefit the general public or the legislator’s constituents generally.

 

The inquiry to the Committee related to the legislator’s participation in discussions involving the Department of Transportation over possible alterations to a highway along which the legislator’s house is located. The participation has included attendance at meetings held by the state agency to solicit comment from area residents in association with a safety study requested by the legislator’s town. The conclusions reached by the safety study could determine whether there are alterations to the segment of the highway located in the town, including the area immediately abutting the legislator’s property, thus potentially affecting the value of the property.

In view of the above-referenced guideline provisions, the Committee concludes that, generally, whenever a legislator advocates on behalf of an issue that primarily benefits the general public, or the legislator’s constituents, and which only incidentally benefits the legislator, there is no violation of the Guidelines. In any advocacy before a state agency, however, there can be no directly or indirectly implied threat against the agency. If there are issues with respect to the direct financial interests of the legislator arising from the legislator’s official activities, the legislator must make an appropriate disclosure. The legislator should be particularly mindful of Section 4, II (d) of the Ethics Guidelines which states that legislators shall not "conduct private negotiations with a state agency in an attempt to obtain a decision on a pending matter which would result in special personal benefit to the legislator, to the legislator’s immediate family, or to certain constituents which would not be available to others under similar conditions." Under no circumstances may a legislator use his or her position to obtain any greater value for the legislator’s private benefit than a member of the public could normally obtain.