SB 33 - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
03/11/2021 0606s
2021 SESSION
21-0922
04/05
SENATE BILL 33
AN ACT relative to Native American name restoration.
SPONSORS: Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Ward, Dist 8; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Kahn, Dist 10; Rep. Sofikitis, Hills. 34; Rep. Schultz, Merr. 18; Rep. P. Schmidt, Straf. 19; Rep. Horrigan, Straf. 6
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
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ANALYSIS
This bill authorizes cities and towns to name or rename locations or geographic features in the Abenaki language; requires the commission on Native American affairs to assist cities, towns, and the state when requested in determining historic or otherwise appropriate Abenaki language names for locations and geographic features; and requires that the commission on resources and development act as the state contact for the federal government for state naming issues.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/11/2021 0606s 21-0922
04/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty One
AN ACT relative to Native American name restoration.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Findings. The general court finds that the commission on Native American affairs established in RSA 12-A:14-a is critical to recognizing the historic and cultural contributions of Native Americans to New Hampshire, and the promotion and strengthening of Native American heritage. Therefore, the general court finds that Native American place names are a rich legacy that ought to be valued and visible, and as such, the general court supports local and state initiatives to restore and assign Native American names to places and geographic features.
2 New Subparagraph; Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; Commission on Native American Affairs. Amend RSA 12-A:14-a, VI by inserting after subparagraph (c) the following new subparagraph:
(d) Review recommendations from municipalities and the state concerning historic Abenaki language names, and may, when requested, assist municipalities in determining historic Abenaki names for locations and geographic features.
3 New Section; Powers and Duties of Towns; Native American Name Restoration. Amend RSA 31 by inserting after section 39-e the following new section:
31:39-f Native American Name Restoration. The governing body of a town, after consultation with the commission on Native American affairs established in RSA 12-A:14-a, or with notification to the commission, and with the involvement of tribal groups recommended by the department of natural and cultural resources to determine the historic Abenaki language name for a location or geographic feature situated in the town, may recommend the naming or renaming of such location or geographic feature in the Abenaki language, with approval by a vote of the legislative body. The town shall inform the commission on Native American affairs of its action. To have a name proposed for recognition by the United States Board on Geographic Names, United States Department of the Interior, the town shall submit the name to the New Hampshire geographic names authority.
4 New Paragraph; Powers of City Councils; Bylaws and Ordinances; Native American Name Restoration. Amend RSA 47:17 by inserting after paragraph XIX the following new paragraph:
XX. The governing body of a city, after consultation with the commission on Native American affairs established in RSA 12-A:14-a or, with notification to the commission, and with the involvement of tribal groups recommended by the department of natural and cultural and resources to determine the historic Abenaki language name for a location or geographic feature situated in the city, may recommend the naming or renaming of such location or geographic feature in the Abenaki language, with approval by a vote the legislative body. The city shall inform the commission on Native American affairs of its action. To have a name proposed for recognition by the United States Board on Geographic Names, United States Department of the Interior, the city shall submit the name to the New Hampshire geographic names authority.
5 New Paragraph; Council on Resources and Development; Responsibilities; Geographic Naming Authority. Amend RSA 162-C:2 by inserting after paragraph XI the following new paragraph:
XI-a. Act as the New Hampshire geographic names authority which shall be the state contact for the United States Board on Geographic Names, United States Department of the Interior; and
6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.