Bill > HB1114

This bill requires standing committees of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and Senate to comprehensively document and preserve public comments received on legislation, including those submitted during hearings and through the state's remote sign-in system. The bill mandates that committees prepare detailed reports explaining how these public comments either influenced or did not influence their recommendations on specific bills. These reports must be overseen by the committee chairperson and ranking member (or their designees) and must clearly articulate the rationale behind the committee's response to public input. The bill allows committees to exclude certain types of comments, such as duplicates, out-of-state submissions, comments from registered lobbyists, or comments submitted in error. The public comment reports must be submitted to the legislative clerk and will become part of the permanent record for each bill. Committees are also required to file and preserve all papers related to their work, ensuring a comprehensive and transparent legislative process. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage, providing time for legislative bodies to prepare for the new documentation requirements.

Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1770&inflect=2