206:2-a Qualifications of Commissioners. –
I. Each member of the commission shall be a resident of a different county in the state except that one commission member shall be a resident of one of the tidewater towns of Portsmouth, Seabrook, Rye, Hampton, Hampton Falls, North Hampton, Newington, Greenland, Stratham, Exeter, Newfields, Newmarket, Durham, Madbury, Dover, Rollinsford or New Castle, and not more than 6 commissioners shall be members of the same political party.
II. Each member shall also be qualified in the following manner:
(a) Well informed on the subject of fish and wildlife conservation and restoration;
(b) Dedicated to the conservation and protection of the state's fish and wildlife resources and of an environment conducive to the welfare of the same;
(c) Committed to a fish and game program providing reasonable balance between research, habitat management and law enforcement;
(d) An active outdoorsman holding a resident fishing, hunting, or trapping license in at least 5 of the 10 years preceding the appointment;
(e) A personal record free of convictions of violation of fish and game laws and regulations of this state or any other jurisdiction within 5 years, preceding his appointment; and
(f) At least 5 years' experience in one or a combination of the following fields:
(1) Forestry
(2) Agriculture
(3) Management of wild lands
(4) Soils conservation
(5) Conservation of water resources
(6) Fish and game management or propagation
(7) Conservation engineering
(8) Conservation law
(9) Wildlife education
(10) Active membership in a conservation or sportsmen's organization in this state.
(g) In the case of the coastal commission member, a general knowledge of all crustaceans and bivalves in coastal waters and salt water fishing in general.
III. Upon nomination by the governor, each nominee shall forthwith file with the secretary of state an affidavit, duly signed and sworn to, setting forth in detail how he complies with the qualifications cited in paragraph II and affirming his belief in the aims of subparagraphs (b) and (c) of paragraph II. His appointment shall not be confirmed by the council until such affidavit has been examined by them and such appointee has been found qualified pursuant to this section.