Bill Text: NH SB343 | 2018 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relative to legislative ethics guidelines.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 6-2)
Status: (Passed) 2018-06-29 - Signed by the Governor on 06/25/2018; Chapter 0314; Effective 08/24/2018 [SB343 Detail]
Download: New_Hampshire-2018-SB343-Amended.html
SB 343 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
03/22/2018 1191s
26Apr2018... 1424h
2018 SESSION
18-3010
03/10
SENATE BILL 343
AN ACT relative to legislative ethics guidelines.
SPONSORS: Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Giuda, Dist 2; Sen. Daniels, Dist 11; Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20; Rep. Wall, Straf. 6; Rep. Hinch, Hills. 21; Rep. Welch, Rock. 13; Rep. Packard, Rock. 5
COMMITTEE: Rules and Enrolled Bills
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ANALYSIS
This bill clarifies certain terms used in the legislative ethics guidelines.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/22/2018 1191s
26Apr2018... 1424h 18-3010
03/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eighteen
AN ACT relative to legislative ethics guidelines.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraph; Legislative Ethics Committee; Definitions; Rule. Amend RSA 14-B:1 by inserting after paragraph III the following new paragraph:
III-a. "Rule" means any rule adopted pursuant to this chapter and shall not include any rule of proceeding adopted by the house of representatives or the senate.
2 Purpose. Amend RSA 14-C:1 to read as follows:
14-C:1 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to ensure that persons charged with carrying out the duties and activities of the legislative branch of state government do so in an atmosphere that supports the independent judgment of such persons and minimizes the opportunity for inappropriate influence by persons or organizations outside the legislative branch subject to or likely to become subject to or interested in any matter or action pending in the legislative branch. To that end, this chapter defines gifts that may not be given to, solicited by, or accepted by persons subject to the provisions of the chapter and establishes requirements for the reporting of honorariums, expense reimbursements, and certain other receipts. This chapter shall be liberally construed to effect this purpose. This chapter shall not apply to gifts, honorariums, expense reimbursements, or any other receipt made by the general court to a legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee.
3 Definitions; Expense Reimbursement. Amend RSA 14-C:2, III to read as follows:
III. "Expense reimbursement" shall mean any price, charge, fee, expense, or other cost which is waived, forgiven, reduced, prepaid, or reimbursed in any form for the reasonable expenses of attendance, registration, travel, meals, or lodging related to a bona fide conference, meeting, seminar, or educational, cultural, or informational program, or an event to which the recipient is invited in his or her official capacity as a representative of the senate or the house of representatives of which the recipient is a member. "Expense reimbursement" shall not include any expense reimbursement made by the general court to a legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee.
4 New Subparagraph; Definitions; Gift; Exclusions. Amend RSA 14-C:2, IV(b) by inserting after subparagraph (13) the following new subparagraph:
(14) Any gifts, honorariums, expense reimbursements, or any other receipt made by the general court to a legislator, legislative officer, or legislative employee.
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
