Updated 3/17
Monitoring. HB 453 – AN ACT shielding journalists from mandatory disclosure of sources by subpoena.
2021-03-09 House Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate (Vote 18-2; Consent Calendar)
Strongly oppose. HB 584, relative to guilt by association and defamation by media outlets.
2021-03-09 House Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate (Vote 20-0; Consent Calendar)
Monitoring. HB 133 – creating a cause of action for censorship by social media websites.
2021-03-09 House Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate (Vote 21-0; Consent Calendar)
Support. HB 232 – relative to nonpublic sessions under the right to know law.
General discussions of whether to proceed with the acquisition, sale, or lease of real or personal property would now be made public. Non-public sessions would still be allowed for consideration of the amount paid, offered, or accepted for the sale or lease of property
Status: Executive Committee meeting March 10. Ought to pass 11-10 (Minority report to be filled.)
Heard by House Judiciary Committee 1/26 – NHPA written testimony submitted. Read here.
This bill requires that collective bargaining agreement strategy discussions where only one party is present shall not constitute a meeting open to the public under the right-to-know law.
2021-03-09 House Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass (Vote 11-10; Regular Calendar)
Monitoring. HB 406 – relative to the ability of the public to observe the processing and counting of absentee ballots.
Adds to election law: “Members of the public shall be permitted to observe the processing and counting of absentee ballots without obstruction and from a distance of 6 feet from such processing and counting.”
Status: 03/08/2021 Retained in committee.
Support. HB 108 – relative to minutes and decisions in nonpublic sessions under the right-to-know law.
Public bodies would have to provide a list of minutes or decisions made during non-public sessions where the minutes or decisions were determined to not be subject to full public disclosure. The list shall be promptly made available for public disclosure.
2021-03-09 House Committee Report: Ought to Pass (Vote 21-0; Consent Calendar)
Oppose. HB 216 and HB 630 – relative to public notice of and access to meetings under the right to know law.
216 – Executive Session: 03/10/2021 – Inexpediated to legislate 11-10 (Minority report to be filed)
630 – Executive Session: 03/10/2021 – Ought to pass with amendment (20-1)
These bills essentially make permanent the loosened rules regarding public meeting procedures and attendance temporarily in place because of the pandemic.
Heard: 02/19/2021 Read NHPA testimony here.
House Ought to Pass: Motion Adopted Voice Vote 02/24/2021 / Referred to Finance 02/24/2021 / Division I Work Session: 03/09/2021 – 5-0 vote to retain in committee
NHPA written testimony submitted. Read here.
Monitoring. HB 566, relative to sealing records in nonpublic session under the right-to-know law.
This bill requires that sealed minutes in nonpublic sessions under the right-to-know law may be unsealed if in the opinion of a majority of members voting in nonpublic session determine that circumstances have changed. The minutes sealed pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II(d) would become public after one year. – (Paragraph II(d) refers to discussions regarding the purchase of property.
Status: Out to pass 11-10 vote, minority report to be filed.
No position: HB 480 relative to verification of ballots cast in an election
Statement of Purpose. The state of New Hampshire recognizes that the fundamental right to vote includes the right for voters to have their votes counted and reported accurately, as provided in part I, articles 1, 2, 7, 8, and 11 and part II, articles 5, 32, 41, and 84 of the state constitution. Therefore, registered New Hampshire voters who were not candidates on election ballots they ask to review may view cast ballots after the recount period is over to ensure accuracy of the vote count and evaluate the performance of election officials. Review of ballots shall be in a manner that is least restrictive to the public and that is efficient and least cumbersome to the ballot custodian or designee.
Status: 03/08/2021 Retained in committee.
Support HB471 relative to police disciplinary hearings.
This is the same as SB 41 except that it has a little stronger language.
Status: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2021-0386h (Vote 20-0; Consent Calendar)
Strongly Oppose. SB 39 exempting information and records contained in law enforcement personnel files from disclosure under the right-to-know law.
Status: Committee Report: Rereferred to Committee, 03/18/2021; Vote 5-0; Consent Calendar
Oral testimony by Rick Gagliuso. NHPA written testimony submitted. Read here.
Support. SB 41 relative to police disciplinary hearings.
Status: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/18/2021; Vote 5-0; Consent Calendar; Senate Calendar 15
NHPA written testimony submitted. Read here.