December 23, 2009
No. 50
STATE OF
WEB SITE ADDRESS:
www.gencourt.state.nh.us

161st
Session of the
Legislative
SENATE
CALENDAR
HEARINGS, MEETINGS
AND NOTICES
THE SENATE WILL CONVENE ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2010
Pursuant to Part 2, Article 3 of
the New Hampshire Constitution the Senate “shall assemble annually on the first
Wednesday following the first Tuesday in January.” Therefore, the Senate will convene on
Wednesday, January 6, 2010, and will
continue to meet on Wednesdays throughout the 2010 session.
Proposed Amendment to Senate Rule 48
Amend Senate Rule 48 by inserting after (c) with the following:
48. Deadlines:
(d) Monday, February 22, 2010 - Friday, February 26, 2010: SENATE BREAK.
(e) Thursday, March 04, 2010 - Deadline for Policy Committees to ACT on all Senate money bills, except bills exempted pursuant to Senate Rule 26(b).
(f) Thursday, March 25, 2010 - CROSSOVER - Last day to ACT on all remaining Senate Bills.
(g) Thursday, April 08, 2010 - Deadline for Policy Committees to ACT on all House money bills, except bills exempted pursuant to Senate Rule 26(b).
(h) Wednesday, May 12, 2010 - Last Day to ACT on all remaining House bills.
(i) Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - Last day to FORM Committees of Conference.
(j) Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. - Last day to SIGN Committee of Conference Reports.
(k) Wednesday, June 2, 2010 - Last day to ACT on Committee of Conference Reports.
COMMERCE, LABOR AND CONSUMER PROTECTION
SB 61, relative to consumer credit report of satisfied debts.
SB 94, relative to the creation of express trusts for payment of claims for materials and services rendered in building projects.
SB 141-FN, relative to a life settlements model act.
SB 194, relative to the negotiation of payroll checks.
HB 216-FN, relative to fees for legal services rendered to workers' compensation claimants.
HB 602-FN-A, relative to costs associated with cashing payroll checks.
EDUCATION
HB 143, relative to procedures for requesting a change of school for a child.
HB 154, relative to truancy.
HB 509, requiring parental consent for psychological evaluations by school districts.
ELECTION LAW AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS
HB 276-FN, relative to challenges of voters.
ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SB 56, relative to financial responsibility for large groundwater withdrawals.
SB 73-FN, requiring state departments to reduce energy consumption and to make an annual report on their energy consumption reduction efforts.
SB 166-FN, relative
to mineral extraction, mining, and reclamation in
HB 314-L, (New Title) relative to the assessment of certain costs associated with proposed large groundwater withdrawals from wells.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
SB 72-FN-L, consolidating
cemetery boards of trustees in
HB 360, relative to members of the general court participating in the state group health insurance plan.
HB 514, establishing
a
HB 598-FN, relative to the regulation of auctioneers by the state board of auctioneers.
HB 651-FN, relative to regulation of private investigative agencies and security services.
FINANCE
HB 174-FN, establishing a performance measurement system for state agencies.
HB 587-FN, establishing an information and analysis center within the department of safety.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HB 658-FN, relative to housing assistance for recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
JUDICIARY
SB 120, relative to nonemergency involuntary admissions and permitted condition of conditional discharge from a mental health facility.
HB 230, relative to the burden of proof for a finding of abuse in domestic violence cases.
HB 621, (New Title) relative to establishing procedures for identifying criminal defendants who may have a mental illness.
HB 686, relative to complaint procedures in cases before the commission for human rights.
PUBLIC AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
SB 128, allowing municipalities to grant a property tax credit for low income persons owning residential property.
HB 446, defining "unnecessary hardship" for purposes of zoning variances.
TRANSPORTATION AND INTERSTATE COOPERATION
SB 150, relative to the definition of "neighborhood electric vehicle."
SB 154, naming a
certain portion of route 18 in the town of
HB 450, relative to the state 10-year transportation improvement program.
WAYS AND MEANS
SB 181-FN-A, relative to the liquor commission and alcoholic beverages.
EDUCATION, Room 103, LOB
Sen. Kelly (C), Sen. Merrill (VC), Sen. Fuller Clark, Sen. Lasky, Sen. Bragdon, Sen. Letourneau
9:00 a.m. SENATE EXECUTIVE SESSION ON RE-REFERRED
BILLS
HB 143, relative to procedures for requesting a change of school for a child.
HB 154, relative to truancy.
HB 509, requiring parental consent for psychological evaluations by school districts.
ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, Room 102, LOB
Sen. Fuller Clark (C), Sen. Merrill (VC), Sen. Cilley,
Sen. Lasky, Sen. Odell, Sen. Bradley
11:00 a.m. SENATE EXECUTIVE SESSION ON RE-REFERRED BILLS
SB 73-FN, requiring state departments to reduce energy consumption and to make an annual report on their energy consumption reduction efforts.
PUBLIC AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 103, LOB
Sen. DeVries (C), Sen. Houde (VC), Sen. Sgambati, Sen. Roberge, Sen. Barnes
8:30 a.m. SENATE EXECUTIVE SESSION ON RE-REFERRED
BILLS
SB 128, allowing municipalities to grant a property tax credit for low income persons owning residential property.
HB 446, defining "unnecessary hardship" for purposes of zoning variances.
CITIZENS TRADE POLICY COMMISSION (RSA 19-L:1)
9:00 a.m. Room 307, LOB Regular Meeting
JOINT LEGISLATIVE PERFORMANCE AUDIT AND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (RSA 17-N:1)
2:00 p.m. Room 306, LOB Regular Business
FISCAL COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL COURT (RSA 14:30-a)
9:00 a.m. Rooms 210-211, LOB Regular Business
JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (RSA 541-A:2)
9:00 a.m. Rooms 206-208, LOB Continued Meeting
GUARDIAN AD LITEM BOARD (RSA 490-C:1)
10:00 a.m. Room 102, LOB Non-Public session of the Complaint Review Committee
ESTABLISHING A COMMISSION TO DEVELOP A LEGISLATIVE PLAN TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CERTAIN ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (SB 112, Chapter 255:1, Laws of 2009)
11:00 a.m. Room 100, SH Regular Meeting
COMMISSION TO
1:00 p.m. Room 203, LOB Regular Meeting
ESTABLISHING A
COMMISSION TO
1:00 p.m. Room 100, SH Regular Meeting
GUARDIAN AD LITEM BOARD (RSA 490-C:1)
1:00 p.m. Room 102, LOB Regular Meeting
1:30 p.m. Room 205, LOB Regular Meeting
INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR WOMEN OFFENDERS (RSA 21-H:14-c)
9:00 a.m. Room 100, SH Regular Meeting
OIL FUND DISBURSEMENT BOARD (RSA 146-D:4)
9:00 a.m. Room 305, LOB Regular Meeting
COUNCIL ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT (RSA 125-P:1)
9:30 a.m. Room 207, LOB Regular Meeting
COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE CERTIFICATE OF NEED PROCESS (HB 234, Chapter 77:1, Laws of 2009)
10:00 a.m. Room 205, LOB Regular Meeting
PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE (RSA 187-A:28-a)
10:00 a.m. Room 103, SH Regular Meeting
COMMISSION TO
11:00 a.m. Room 305, LOB Definitions Subcommittee Meeting
COMMISSION TO
1:00 p.m. Room 305, LOB Regular Meeting
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (RSA 126-A:13)
1:00 p.m. Room 205, LOB Regular Meeting
COMMISSION TO STUDY FUTURE SUSTAINABLE REVENUE SOURCES FOR FUNDING IMPROVEMENTS TO STATE AND MUNICIPAL HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES (HB 2, Chapter 144:291, I, Laws of 2009)
2:00 p.m. Room 201, LOB Regular Meeting
STATE CAPITOL COMPLEX MASTER PLAN COMMISSION (HB 25, Chapter 145:13, Laws of 2009)
3:00 p.m. Room 201, LOB Regular Meeting
JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (RSA 541-A:2)
9:00 a.m. Rooms 306-308, LOB Regular Meeting
WORKERS' COMPENSATION ADVISORY COUNCIL (RSA 281-A:62)
9:00 a.m. Room 307, LOB Regular Meeting
WELLNESS AND PRIMARY PREVENTION COUNCIL (RSA 126-M:3)
9:30 a.m. Room 205, LOB Regular Meeting
OBD II TESTING ADVISORY COMMITTEE (RSA 266:59-b, VII (a)
10:00 a.m. Room 301, LOB Regular Meeting
COMMISSION TO STUDY APPOINTING OR CONTRACTING WITH A FLEET MANAGER FOR STATE-OWNED MOTOR VEHICLES (HB 1412, Chapter 218:1, Laws of 2008)
1:00 p.m. Rooms 210-211, LOB Regular Meeting
CAPITAL BUDGET OVERVIEW COMMITTEE (RSA 17-J:2)
3:30 p.m. Room 201, LOB Regular Meeting
COMMITTEE TO STUDY WATER INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITY FUNDING (SB 60, Chapter 245:1, Laws of 2009)
2:00 p.m. Room 103, SH Regular Meeting
COMMISSION TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR THE EXPANSION OF TRANSMISSION CAPACITY IN THE NORTH COUNTRY (SB 383, Chapter 348:2, Laws of 2008)
1:00 p.m. Public Utilities Commission Regular Meeting
Room A
ESTABLISHING A
COMMISSION TO
1:00 p.m. Room 100, SH Regular Meeting
3:30 p.m. Room 201, LOB Regular Business
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL (RSA 188-E:21)
3:00 p.m. Department of Education Regular Meeting
COMMITTEE TO STUDY WATER INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITY FUNDING (SB 60, Chapter 245:1, Laws of 2009)
2:00 p.m. Room 103, SH Regular Meeting
JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (RSA 541-A:2)
9:00 a.m. Rooms 306-308, LOB Continued Meeting
COMMISSION TO STUDY
THE DEATH PENALTY IN
10:00 a.m. Rooms 305-307, LOB Public Hearing
INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR WOMEN OFFENDERS (RSA 21-H:14-c)
9:00 a.m. Room 100, SH Regular Meeting
VOLUNTEER NH BOARD OF DIRECTORS (RSA 19-H:1)
9:00 a.m. Greater
Chapter of the American Red Cross
GUARDIAN AD LITEM BOARD (RSA 490-C:1)
10:00 a.m. Room 102, LOB Non-Public session of the Complaint Review Committee
ESTABLISHING A COMMISSION TO DEVELOP A LEGISLATIVE PLAN TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CERTAIN ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (SB 112, Chapter 255:1, Laws of 2009)
11:00 a.m. Room 100, SH Regular Meeting
COMMISSION TO EXAMINE DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED EDUCATION AND INTERVENTION PROGRAMS (HB 1311, Chapter 256:10, Laws of 2008)
1:00 p.m. Room 202, LOB Regular Meeting
GUARDIAN AD LITEM BOARD (RSA 490-C:1)
1:00 p.m. Room 102, LOB Regular Meeting
CAPITAL BUDGET OVERVIEW COMMITTEE (RSA 17-J:2)
3:30 p.m. Room 201, LOB Regular Meeting
COMMITTEE TO STUDY WATER INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITY FUNDING (SB 60, Chapter 245:1, Laws of 2009)
2:00 p.m. Room 103, SH Regular Meeting
JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (RSA 541-A:2)
9:00 a.m. Rooms 306-308, LOB Regular Meeting
OIL FUND DISBURSEMENT BOARD (RSA 146-D:4)
9:00 a.m. Room 305, LOB Regular Meeting
********
LEGISLATIVE ETHICS COMMITTEE
At its meeting held on November 19, 2009, the Legislative Ethics Committee voted to adopt the following interpretive ruling, which is printed below in its entirety.
INTERPRETIVE RULING
(November 19, 2009)
Ethics Guidelines
Section 4,
Prohibited Activities, Paragraph II, Subparagraphs (c) and (d)
A question has arisen regarding the meaning of the phrase “certain constituents,” as it is used in Ethics Guidelines Section 4, Prohibited Activities, Paragraph II, Subparagraphs (c) and (d). The Committee adopts the following Interpretive Ruling pursuant to RSA 14-B:3, I (b).
The referenced provisions read as follows:
II. Legislators shall not:
* * *
(c) Threaten reprisals or promise inducements of any kind to influence another so as to obtain special personal benefits for the legislator, the legislator’s immediate family, or for certain constituents which would not be available to others under similar conditions.
(d) Conduct private negotiations with any governmental 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.
(Emphasis added)
The Committee construes the phrase “certain constituents” in these sections to include any particular person or persons on whose behalf the legislator is communicating, and is not restricted merely to persons who may reside within the legislator’s district. In short, the Committee considers that in accordance with these Guidelines, it would be improper conduct for a legislator to threaten legislation or any other official action, or to conduct private negotiations with any governmental agency, to influence a judicial, regulatory or administrative outcome in favor of a particular person or persons in a particular case, where the benefit of such outcome would not be available to others under similar circumstances.
Sylvia B. Larsen, Senate President
********
LEGISLATIVE ETHICS COMMITTEE
Required Disclosure Filing
Copies of the "2010 Financial Disclosure Form" have recently been mailed to each member of the Senate. All legislators and legislative officers are required to complete and file the form with the Legislative Ethics Committee. Please return your completed form to Rich Lambert in Room 112 of the State House no later than January 15, 2010.
Sylvia B. Larsen, Senate President
********
TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2010
Public Information Session on LSR 10-2922
Relative to the system benefits charge.
The Energy, Environment & Economic Development Committee will hold a Public Information Session on Tuesday, January 5, 2009 immediately following the Executive Session on SB 73 in Room 102, LOB. The sponsors of the LSR are: Senator Hassan, Senator Fuller Clark, Senator Bragdon, Senator Bradley, Representative Wallner, Representative Packard, Representative Kaen, and Representative Introne.
Senator Martha Fuller
********
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2010
Sheehan Phinney Capitol Group will be hosting their annual
Welcome Back Reception for all House,
Senate members and staff on Wednesday, January 6, 2010, at the Holiday Inn. It will be held at conclusion of session (or
3:00 p.m. should the session end early).
Senator Margaret Wood Hassan, Majority Leader
Senator Peter E. Bragdon, Minority Leader
********
THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2010
The New Hampshire Child Advocacy Network (NH CAN), in
coordination with the Legislative Caucus for Young Children and Every Child
Matters, invites all legislators to a lunchtime briefing on the 2010 Priorities
for
Senator Kathleen G. Sgambati
********
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2010
Northeast Delta Dental cordially invites all members of the
New Hampshire Legislature and their staff to its Eleventh Annual Legislative
Reception to be held Wednesday, February 10th from 4:00 p.m.
to 6:30 p.m. at its corporate office,
Sylvia B. Larsen,
Senate President
Senator Peter E. Bragdon, Minority Leader
********
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 First day to file legislation for 2010 Session.
Friday, November 06, 2009, at 4:00 p.m. The Office of Legislative Services shall not draft a Senate Bill, Senate Concurrent Resolution, or Senate Joint Resolution, unless a request by a member for drafting with complete information has been received not later than 4:00 p.m., Friday, November 06, 2009, for the 2010 Session.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009, at 4:00 p.m. The last day to sign-off legislation for the above filing period shall be Wednesday, December 09, 2009, at 4:00 p.m.
Friday, December 25, 2009 Christmas
Day (State
Friday, January 1, 2010 New
Year's Day (State
Monday, January 18, 2010 Martin Luther King Jr./Civil Rights Day
(State
Monday, February 15, 2010 Presidents'
Day (State
Monday, May 31, 2010 Memorial
Day (State
Monday, July 5, 2010 Fourth
of July (State
Monday, September 6, 2010 Labor
Day (State
Thursday, November 11, 2010 Veterans'
Day (State
Thursday, November 25, 2010 Thanksgiving
Day (State
Friday, November 26, 2010 Day
after Thanksgiving (State
Friday, December 24, 2010 Christmas
Day (State
********
State House Visitation Schedule
As a convenience to the members of the NH General Court, the Visitors’ Center offers the following schedule of schools and other groups visiting the State House in January 2009. These listings are to ensure all members be notified in a timely manner of visitors from their district. Our schedule is tightly booked for the school year and subject to changes.
Please contact the Visitors’ Center concerning school tour booking information. Legislators planning to meet with students should notify the Visitors' Center. Thank you for your continued participation with your School Visitation Program.
Virginia J. Drew, Director Deborah Rivers, Public Information Administrator
|
DATE |
TIME |
GROUP |
Group#/Grade |
|
Jan. 12 |
9:30 |
|
46/4 |
|
Jan. 12 |
1:00 |
KA |
17/4 |
|
Jan 20 |
10:00/11:30 SH/HM |
|
100/4 |
|
Jan. 21 |
9:45 |
|
21/4 |
|
Jan 26 |
10:00 |
|
30/4 |
|
Jan. 29 |
10:30 |
Hanover St.
School – |
55/4 |